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.
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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.

​I hope you enjoy looking at them.