I am the founder of this project. I was devastated when the storm hit. I wanted to find a way to use these trees that have been around for hundreds of years, instead of having them all cut up for firewood. There are two other similar projects in Canada and have been quite successful and popular with tourists. I also thought it would be an educational component. They represent our rich cultural history as well as paying tribute to numerous individuals both living and gone. These carvings are likenesses....not supposed to look identical. When you carve them with a chainsaw, it is not like a bronze where you can mold it. The neck part - if he carved too much of a neck it would be too fragile and potentially crack. The color has to be a dark color to preserve the wood. I have gotten a lot of professionally advice when doing this project and have made sure I did it in a way that would make them last. The project was also created to help raise funds for Re-treeing WNY. we are now in the process of having many bowls and other pieces of functional art for sale made from the trees from the storm. I am sorry that some of you have not enjoyed it. The project has been very time consuming, and worth every minute of it in my eyes. I am one that tries to give back to my community as much as I can. I have raised over $100,000 dollars for this project, and will continue to raise money and to re-use and re-cylce trees for the benefit of re-treeing WNY. If you do not like them , that is fine....I have recieved hundreds of emails from people in WNY and all over the country that do love them, and what they represent. Therese Forton-Barnes