One of the most often asked questions we get is “What’s the biggest sculpture you ever carved?”
Hands down it’s the DC3 we designed and sculpted for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC contracted with three companies in Toronto and ourselves here in Vancouver to carve a 13 foot wide scaled model of the popular airplane to showcase the new upcoming television series Arctic Air.
I always say I’m one phone call away from panic and this was no exception. The first email came as we were returning from a delivery to Whistler asking for a quick quote (for 2:00pm the next day can you believe it). How do you design and then calculate a quote like that in a matter of a few hours? Emails just don’t cut it in this kind of situation so I asked for a telephone number. One of my first questions was “what’s your budget?” Sometimes there’s a world of difference between what people want and what they can afford. This wasn’t the case so I did the usual “of course we can do that.”
Now what does a DC3 look like? No kidding, that’s often how it starts. My son’s a pilot so he was my first resource. Then off to the Langley Airport where they actually have a real DC3 on display. And from there the drawing began. How do you convert 20” X 40” X 10” blocks of ice into an airplane that’s 13 feet wide and lasts for two full days? It started with a pencil and paper. From there I took it to my computer and the draw program. 
Then hours and hours of carving and fitting, some with the CNC, lots with a chainsaw and chisels. The result was some 50 pieces that when assembled filled the studio from one wall to the other. Then it all came apart again to be transported to Robson Square in downtown Vancouver where we reassembled it next to the skating rink. 
It took four of us three hours to accomplish the task all under the watchful eye of Newad Marketing reps. Not a piece was broken in the process and everything stayed up and intact for two full days!
ICE DECOR 13 FOOT DC3