From Making Safe Streets to Wonders in Wood
Ten years ago, Police Chief Terry Moss’s life had felt complete when a trip to the grocery store changed everything. While his wife Bonnie shopped, he’d perused the magazine rack.
“For some reason I was drawn to ‘Woodcarving Illustrated’ magazine — amazed at the beautiful works created with just a few hand tools,” Terry says.
“I was captivated by an article detailing a Halloween scarecrow. The carver had captured the individual strands of straw, with incredible detail to the head, hands, and feet. I’d never carved anything in my life, but I knew in that moment I wanted to be a caricature wood carver.”
He’s come a long way since. Today he carves daily, teaches, presents live demos, and even competes. This year’s cover of Woodcarving Illustrated features his own work: a hand-carved sea captain.
It’s been a journey of many steps. After discovering that magazine, Terry found a woodcarving teacher and mentor. He began weekly lessons, bought carving tools, and joined the local Capitol Woodcarvers club — of which he would later serve as president.
After five years of caricature carving, Terry and Bonnie attended the Oregon Chainsaw Championship in Reedsport. Thinking it would be a nice weekend at the beach, it turned out to be another turning point. “The chainsaw carving was incredibly exciting — so energetic and loud. It was fascinating to see carvers taking massive pieces of wood — some as big as cars — and turning them into art. I thought, ‘I want to do this!’”
Attending chainsaw carving school, Terry discovered he “loved making art out of wood destined for the fire pit.” Soon he was traveling for competitions, last year winning second place in a major competition.
When hand-carving, Terry favors human caricatures. With the chainsaw, it’s animals and wildlife. “I stay away from realistic portrayals,” he says. “To me, they’re not as much fun. I like to play with wood and see what comes, to have fun — turn it into something whimsical.”
While carving wasn’t in Terry’s background, woodworking was. Watching his grandfather create in his woodworking shop led Terry to build furniture, cabinets, a grandfather clock, and even a house. But working with wood wouldn’t become a career path until later.
A police officer mentor led him to law enforcement. “At 20, I worked nights at a Molalla grocery store, where police officers would come for coffee or lunch. One was kind to me, and generous with his time — teaching me about police work and taking me on a ride-along. I thought it was the coolest job in the world! I had found my career.”
Working in St Helens, he went from officer to detective to sergeant to lieutenant. His last active duty was as chief for five years. Then, after serving as leadership coordinator at Salem’s Public Safety Academy, he retired in 2024.
The woodcarving that started as a hobby became a second career. “I like its solitude. I can relax in my indoor shop with a cup of coffee and carve while listening to audio books. At the end of the day, I have a piece of art and knowledge from the book.”
“On a Saturday morning, I love to go to my covered chainsaw-carving area and buzz out a few bears — they’re easy and popular. Chainsaw-carving is more intense and focused, requiring my full attention.”
Ideas come from something as simple as an interesting ear or a story. “Once on a flight I was surrounded by negative energy — a kid that wouldn’t sit down, bad-smelling food, a woman with a cat. As I sat and stewed uncomfortably, I wondered if I could carve the passengers. I later put them in wood!”
Terry credits caring mentors with helping him along his carving journey and through life. “I’ve been exposed to fantastic people! I had no idea that woodcarving would so change my life, starting with a Halloween scarecrow. My best and dearest friends come from woodcarving. They mean a lot to me.”
From carving out safe streets to whimsical works out of wood, Terry Moss has led and learned, touching others with his talent and grateful heart.
Candy Puterbaugh
50plus Magazine
Candy Puterbaugh is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, groan-inducing punster, writer, competitive runner, pet lover, and tender of gardens.