Wood Carving
Gene Bigelow creates wooden pieces, often clocks, with an intricate lattice-like ornamental design called "fretwork.” His interest in fretwork began when his daughter bought him a wood carving of a covered wagon. Gene noticed that the technique wasn't particularly good, or the carver very careful. This unease with sloppy work created the impulse to create better versions himself.
Of the hundreds of pieces Gene has created during his life, he is the proudest of a moving carousel. This was his original design and engineering. This carnival carousel has horses that rotate with music. It is complete with a fence, ramp, and a ticket booth. The carousel is on display at the History Center at the Uintah County building.
People who work in the county building relish Gene's work and are grateful for it. Mike Wilkins, the county auditor, said, "All the clocks in this office, there are about a dozen, they're always a conversation piece. Anyone who walks in here asked, ‘Who made the beautiful clocks?’" Another friend, Diane Rowley, suggests, "He's a man who can figure out absolutely anything. If he sets his mind to it, he can do anything."
Fretwork: ornamental design in wood that is usually created with a fretsaw.
Fretsaw: a saw with a narrow blade used for intricate cutting work which often incorporates tight curves.