I first tried chainsaw carving in 2016, using a battery operated chainsaw on a pole (sometimes you just have to use what you have). I carved a few small bear heads and lost interest with the limited tools I had at the time. In 2021 our big oak tree needed to come down, so I bought an inexpensive battery chainsaw, watched lots of youtube videos and started carving. I would post the carvings on Facebook, and folks really seemed to like them.
Owls were most of my earlier carvings. After Ed Crow, taught me how to texturize wings, I carved a totem pole. As my scrap wood pile grew, I looked for ways to carve some of the unique cutoffs. And sometimes I just have an idea for something to carve, or I've seen a video that has inspired me.
While mostly self taught from youtube videos, I've learned a lot about the nuances of chainsaw carving from several professional and seasoned carvers I've had the pleasure of meeting.
Generally, I start by drawing my idea on graph paper, then draw the shape of a log around the drawing. This gives me an idea of how I will begin to block out the carving. Sometimes I use a figurine and/or images found online as a model. Once I'm ready to carve, I spend time measuring and drawing the image onto the log. And then the fun begins, simply let go, and see what happens.
Over the years while my tool collection has grown, I still use battery operated chainsaws. My approach to chainsaw carving remains rustic and with Zero Waste.
Now most of my carvings are commissioned or requested works.