Early Saturday morning, ice sculptors gathered at a coffee shop in downtown Waukesha, adding caffeine to their nerves while shooting sheepish looks toward their competitors.
For one sculptor, at least, the setting was home territory.
While most of the sculptors a considerable from across southeastern Wisconsin to participate in the ice-sculpting contest as part of the 30th annual Waukesha JanBoree, Paul Laabs only had to travel about a mile from his Waukesha home to participate.
A landscaper by trade and a wood carver on the side, Laabs fell into ice sculpting a few years ago when a friend urged him to give it a try. Laabs decided he was up for the challenge.
Slipping into the hobby
For him, it started three years ago, when Laabs reached out to organizers of the Waukesha JanBoree just days before the ice-sculpting competition and asked if there were any last-minute spots open. At that particular moment, all the spots were filled, but the organizers told Laabs to show up anyway in case a sculptor dropped out.
"I went downtown and they said, 'You're in luck. Someone dropped out,'" said Laabs, who added his first piece turned out "OK."
Since then Laabs has competed ice-sculpting competitions across the state — up to seven in a year, he said.
His designs have consisted of a southwestern-themed cowboy boots, cactus and pistol, the character "Olaf" from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "Frozen," and a large bear, the latter taking up residence in the doorway of his home for many days.
Inspirational image
Laabs referred to himself as "spiritual," often selecting designs that have special meanings.
For this year's contest, Laabs found his ice-sculpting design while perusing the shelves of Hobby Lobby one day. He came across a small, ornate novelty that, if looked at from one particular angle, depicted the Christian fish symbol or, from another angle, a Christian cross.
"I thought, 'Why not celebrate life?'" Laabs said. "God gave you life. He's letting you breathe, he's letting you hang out here a little while longer, so we should celebrate that on an everyday occurrence."
Then he thought about how he would create his work.
"I laid awake in bed last night thinking about my design," he said. "I thought about every carve."
Chipping away
Working his way from the outside of the block in toward the center, Laabs chipped away at the large block, using tools he bought for his wood carving. (He noted ice sculpting tools can be expensive — up to $500 for a saw — so he improvises.)
Laabs worked hastily. The sculptors had just a few hours to begin and finish their work before they were judged at 3 p.m.
In addition to working on his own piece, Laabs was asked to complete a sculpture for the children's exhibition. Another artist began that design and Laabs was to finish it.
"I'm nervous about that," he said. "An artist has their vision, so how do you finish something they've began?"
Other than vandalism, which officials note occasionally happens the evenings following the sculpting contests, the biggest threat to the artwork is the weather.
If the temperature is too warm, the sculpture will drip. A bright sun on a clear day can result in spider cracks in the center of the block. Sculptors will often put up canopies or large umbrellas to shield their ice from the elements.
Laabs said there's a great sense of community among the sculptors. Everyone offers help and tips when possible. Laabs has learned that a bottle of water can be a kwy tool in the sculpting world, because it acts like glue when pieces fall apart.
Adding to 'Celebration'
The ice-sculpting theme for the 2015 Waukesha JanBoree was "celebration," said coordinator John Remmers.
Remmers said 26 sculptors competed in this year's contest, each sponsored by a Waukesha business for $145 — which pays the sculptors for their work as well as the 300-pound ice block. Scattered around downtown Waukesha, each sculptor was positioned in front of their sponsoring business.
Laabs said he doesn't sculpt for the money.
"I like to take time to talk to the kids," he said.
His attitude is appreciated.
"We love having Paul at our event," Remmers said. "He is a very nice man and a talented carver."
Laabs did not place in the ice-sculpting competition and his sculpture had melted by Sunday, but he looks forward to dabbling in snow-sculpting someday.
2015 Waukesha JanBoree ice sculptor winners
·1st place: Dan Ingebrigston, Franklin
·2nd place: Mike Lechtenberg
·3rd place: Gina Diliberti, Milwaukee
PHOTO GALLERY: Here's more images from the Waukesha JanBoree's ice sculpting contest.