Chainsaw carvings,,,
These Cedar trees start as Chainsaw carvings then are enhanced with dremels and hand gouges,,,
Chainsaw carvings
for Chainsaw carving,,,
the chainsaws and equipment I use,,,more about HOW I DO IT
can be found in the menu under,,,
tech page,,,and,,,tools
I use Dolmar saws, a stihl and a husky electric,,, I use all the safety equipment, helmet with muffs and face shield, fallers chaps, gloves, and steeltoed boots.
The bars I use are standard 3/8 pitch chain and sprockets bucking or falling bars by Dolmar, Oregon, Stihl,,, The carving bars are dime and quarter tip, 1/4 pitch chain and sprokets
All my chainsaw carving have other equipment involved like angle grinders with different cutters and discs, as well as 1" and 3/8" beltsanders, palm sanders, Die grinder with a variety of bits, and small dremal grinders, and chisels and gouges in a wide array of sizes and shapes ,,, More on tools and equipment can be found in the TOOLS page<<<
The bars I use are standard 3/8 pitch chain and sprockets bucking or falling bars by Dolmar, Oregon, Stihl,,, The carving bars are dime and quarter tip, 1/4 pitch chain and sprokets
All my chainsaw carving have other equipment involved like angle grinders with different cutters and discs, as well as 1" and 3/8" beltsanders, palm sanders, Die grinder with a variety of bits, and small dremal grinders, and chisels and gouges in a wide array of sizes and shapes ,,, More on tools and equipment can be found in the TOOLS page<<<
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These two Grizzlies are for Ken Kirkby in Bowser BC,,, the lage male is a little over 8' tall a young male just out of hibernation ,,, the female is just under 8' and this is just before she hibernates for the winter was the idea behind the carvings ,,, the male takes his first look around in the spring and the female takes her last look around before the winter den,,, they are from red cedar,,, each log is about 500 years old,,, the male wheighs 800lbs ,, the female is 500lbs,,,The little bear in the middle is 5'10" 165lbs and he is old,,,,
The Bird House is one of my favorite carvings to do ,,, I have to credit Gerry for the original idea a few years ago when i saw one he had done ,,, so i had to give it a go ,,, now this carving is not a true chainsaw carving in that i did use a couple of saws to block it out and then my makita 3/8th belt sander to sort it out a little further ,,,a small dremil like tool for the eye balls,,, then it is all hand tools, gouges and knives,,, the hat is burnt with a torch and sanded then finished with a carved pipe and oiled,,, the back is fitted with a square of plywood that is screwed to a slot for removel to cleaning out the "house"
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Raven and Oyster
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Snowy Owl
SNOWBALL
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There is a bear here
Bear #5 coming right up ,,, 8' red cedar log in Qualicum Bay just south of Bowser on Vancouver Island,,, I was invited to carve in this beautiful little community and met some amazing people that treated me so well.
One gentleman I met impressed me so much and truely touched my heart. He was one of the first people I met there, Chris is his name. What was so wonderful about Chris is how truely humble, willing, and helpfull he was or should I say IS so helpfull it just is his beautifull nature.
Chris was there to help all of us as we carved. He cleared the chuncks of wood as they hit the ground and quietly watched as the need arose Chris was there, antisipating what was needed and very quickly taking care of it not a word was needed to ask him he just did it.
The weather was hot and the work was plentiful from seven in the morning till five in the evening... He worked none stop and even after we where done for the day he was there asking if there was more he could do for us and thanking us for the opertunity to just be a part of the effort,,, He just gave and gave and gave,,, What a pleasure and honour to meet such a person ,,,A volunter,,, amazing guy
The carving event was about 24 hrs over a three day time ,,,in the end it became a joint venture to get it done Dan helped with torching all the fuzz off the bear and airbrushing the tones and long with Gerry who helped me see the cuts and shaping along with Dan's and airbrushing. Chaz, Dans son helped in the final coating and they all helped get it done...
Helen and Ken where there to encourage and make sure that we where all housed and fed and Oscar not only arranged this with a lot of help and support from the community, he was carving ,,, What a great time,,,
One gentleman I met impressed me so much and truely touched my heart. He was one of the first people I met there, Chris is his name. What was so wonderful about Chris is how truely humble, willing, and helpfull he was or should I say IS so helpfull it just is his beautifull nature.
Chris was there to help all of us as we carved. He cleared the chuncks of wood as they hit the ground and quietly watched as the need arose Chris was there, antisipating what was needed and very quickly taking care of it not a word was needed to ask him he just did it.
The weather was hot and the work was plentiful from seven in the morning till five in the evening... He worked none stop and even after we where done for the day he was there asking if there was more he could do for us and thanking us for the opertunity to just be a part of the effort,,, He just gave and gave and gave,,, What a pleasure and honour to meet such a person ,,,A volunter,,, amazing guy
The carving event was about 24 hrs over a three day time ,,,in the end it became a joint venture to get it done Dan helped with torching all the fuzz off the bear and airbrushing the tones and long with Gerry who helped me see the cuts and shaping along with Dan's and airbrushing. Chaz, Dans son helped in the final coating and they all helped get it done...
Helen and Ken where there to encourage and make sure that we where all housed and fed and Oscar not only arranged this with a lot of help and support from the community, he was carving ,,, What a great time,,,
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Browns Bay Eagle
This Eagle was a 2 day carving event in Browns Bay ,,, It was a great time I was treated so well and am looking forward to doing the event again next year,,,
The story of
My little bears July 22, 2012
There is one more to the ongoing Bear population ,,, I do these over and over trying to get better with each one. I am making headway
Each atempt to improve my skills is doing just that ,,, I learn by doing and not ever considering any attempt as a failure.
The point to this is "doit" One more time I try again and again the point that brings me to is this IT DOESN"T MATTER WHAT THE SUBJECT it only matters that I learn more with each attempt,,, so Life is like that. If I had never tryied to walk after the first attempt I would still be crawling,,,, I am not ashamed of the fact that my bears are sort of OFF or not proportioned and I need to hide these from the public untill I get them RIGHT, I would rather people understand that I have to practice and practice and examine myself and the process and evolution of change is in those moments where I can clearly see the things that need to change,,,THAT is what life and creation are one in the same That is what makes ART exciting for that is what makes life exciting ...This little bear is nearly done,,,
Each atempt to improve my skills is doing just that ,,, I learn by doing and not ever considering any attempt as a failure.
The point to this is "doit" One more time I try again and again the point that brings me to is this IT DOESN"T MATTER WHAT THE SUBJECT it only matters that I learn more with each attempt,,, so Life is like that. If I had never tryied to walk after the first attempt I would still be crawling,,,, I am not ashamed of the fact that my bears are sort of OFF or not proportioned and I need to hide these from the public untill I get them RIGHT, I would rather people understand that I have to practice and practice and examine myself and the process and evolution of change is in those moments where I can clearly see the things that need to change,,,THAT is what life and creation are one in the same That is what makes ART exciting for that is what makes life exciting ...This little bear is nearly done,,,
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Sayward 2012
This carving is of LUCK my dog ,,, here are some of the tools and steps used to create this carving.
I use the tools shown here through out the carving
My hope here is to show some of the process and development of chainsaw carving,,,
Some of the tools here are better shown (more detail) on the TOOL PAGE ,,, If you would like to inquire more about the process or tools plearse contact me I will be more then glad to assist,,, use the form or Blog here or E-mail me at redbeardsart@hotmail.com
I use the tools shown here through out the carving
My hope here is to show some of the process and development of chainsaw carving,,,
Some of the tools here are better shown (more detail) on the TOOL PAGE ,,, If you would like to inquire more about the process or tools plearse contact me I will be more then glad to assist,,, use the form or Blog here or E-mail me at redbeardsart@hotmail.com
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The great excape
This is the carving done for the shoreline arts compatition 2012 in Campbell River
Dee helped so much by sanding the carving with me so that it was done in the time frame of the competition,,, Thank you honey,,,
Dee helped so much by sanding the carving with me so that it was done in the time frame of the competition,,, Thank you honey,,,
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The young man
This is a Red cedar carving,,,And this is day one of the carving. this is as far as I got in the first day
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The story of The Three Bears
Once upon a short time ago I started carving Bears. I used cedar from my friend Gerry and two logs from the recycle yard that where going to be use for firewood.
It was a great day to discover that I could have these logs for free. The first little bear was from a very small block of cedar. the next little bear was from a 48" tall log and the third little bear was from a 42" tall cedar log.
I was asked if I had any bears for sale and the answer was ,,, NO!
So I decided to do one,,, It was a long process of figuring out how to do one in such the small block Gerry gave me ,,, not much room to work in all the parts of a bear into a pose that a bear would typically do,,, so I just improvised He became a little black bear in a yoga position,,, FUN (after all this is my story I can do what I want right) the next bear was also a fun carving just to see what would happen ,,, lots of mistakes,,, this is GOOD as I could see them and the next little bear was a little better,,, I like doing them
It was a great day to discover that I could have these logs for free. The first little bear was from a very small block of cedar. the next little bear was from a 48" tall log and the third little bear was from a 42" tall cedar log.
I was asked if I had any bears for sale and the answer was ,,, NO!
So I decided to do one,,, It was a long process of figuring out how to do one in such the small block Gerry gave me ,,, not much room to work in all the parts of a bear into a pose that a bear would typically do,,, so I just improvised He became a little black bear in a yoga position,,, FUN (after all this is my story I can do what I want right) the next bear was also a fun carving just to see what would happen ,,, lots of mistakes,,, this is GOOD as I could see them and the next little bear was a little better,,, I like doing them
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Bear basics,,,
These are the tree bears at this point in time,,,
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My third bear
I have finished the third little bear and all in all it is an improvement on the previous two in some ways,,, this is good ,,, improvement is the goal,,,
I need to remember these are a challenge to do even for the experienced bear carver. That is not an excuse for poor work it simply means can I see where I can improve,,, YES there is a lot to learn here.
for now this is where I am at and with more bears I hope to be growing in my carving ability and likeness of the bear.
This little guy is 42" tall and is supposed to be a cub...I had fun and that is very important for me. The little tufts of hair around the throat area is headed in the right direction the "FURRING" procedure is fascinating how it develops so quickly. My idea is that the bear is a little wet and his fur is layered in little serpentine waves giving him definition and a dramatic texture,,, this takes a bit of time and things like the direction of the fur is critical to have it look somewhat life like or ,,, BEARISH
The Paws have a little smaller claws then a Grizzly cub may have and this was due to the concern that they may be a little fragile if I made them longer and thinner as the should be,,, so they are what they are and I am Ok with that,,, Bear with me here,,,
I need to remember these are a challenge to do even for the experienced bear carver. That is not an excuse for poor work it simply means can I see where I can improve,,, YES there is a lot to learn here.
for now this is where I am at and with more bears I hope to be growing in my carving ability and likeness of the bear.
This little guy is 42" tall and is supposed to be a cub...I had fun and that is very important for me. The little tufts of hair around the throat area is headed in the right direction the "FURRING" procedure is fascinating how it develops so quickly. My idea is that the bear is a little wet and his fur is layered in little serpentine waves giving him definition and a dramatic texture,,, this takes a bit of time and things like the direction of the fur is critical to have it look somewhat life like or ,,, BEARISH
The Paws have a little smaller claws then a Grizzly cub may have and this was due to the concern that they may be a little fragile if I made them longer and thinner as the should be,,, so they are what they are and I am Ok with that,,, Bear with me here,,,
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Raven
I think this is one of the most interesting carvings that I have been developing as a design. I was challenged by the design,,,I was asked to make a simple design that could be completed in TWO days,,,1/2 day to block out and 1 1/2 days to refine and finish,,, so much for a schedule,,, after a day and a half I injured myself and had to make a quick trip from Sayward to the emerg in Campbell River,,, I came back a week later and spent the whole day refining the carving. Time well spent and a much better result,,, I feel this piece has a powerfull presence, and I am delighted with the movement in the form and line.
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RAVEN...
This carving is one I feel is one of my best so far,,, The idea was a simple figure draped in a blanket to be completed in two days... I got most of the way through the carving and hurt myself so I had to take a week off to get back to it. I took another full day to complete the carving and very grateful that I got the time and took the time to do it well. The log was an old growth fir,,, slower to carve and harder on the equipment yet worth it,,,
I like it mostly because it has more of a feeling of a sculpture then a chainsaw carving.
I like it mostly because it has more of a feeling of a sculpture then a chainsaw carving.
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Chain saw carving in Lake Cowithan
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The season has started
Tis the season of carving ,,,, I have been in school for fine furniture making at the INSIDE PASSAGE SCHOOL OF FINE WOODWORKING,,, The carving has been on hold for 9 months, It was wonderfull to just rip-an-tare with chips an sawdust an roaring engines, friends and fellow carvers,,,
Transformations On The Shore 2011
I design the carvings as I go ,,, the basic idea is very basic and the conceptual stages are on going ,,, ignorance and lack of experience in competitions makes for some innovative decisions,,, work hard and as fast as you can be confident that you have the tools the vision will become clearer ,,, every cut is a reality,,, learning as I go ,,, THINK THINK THINK ,,, but keep it simple,,, trust your EYE, your gut,,, do it... just do it...
This is a competition you only have a short very limited time ,,, it may not be the best piece I can do ,,, it is the best I can do in that time frame,,,chips fall where they may,,,
This is a competition you only have a short very limited time ,,, it may not be the best piece I can do ,,, it is the best I can do in that time frame,,,chips fall where they may,,,
Picking the log,,, just a guess ???
The choice of log is determined by a few factors
#1- where you end up in the draw!!!
#2- WHAT is left ,,, not what is right
#3- You signed on and your here ,,, make a desision
#4-MAKE IT WORK
I chose the last large Red Cedar knowing that it had it's issues (I was lucky to have a cedar log to pick at all),,, Issues like; shake and rot and splits and knots and It was just big enough to pull off the design I was formulating as the clock was ticking.
I was number 20 in the draw so the prime wood was gone and I needed Cedar to be able to carve as quickly as I could ,,, and I am a slow carver. Fir is great for detail, I was going for form and line ,,, Fir is also harder to carve then Cedar thus slower,,, the clock is ticking.
#1- where you end up in the draw!!!
#2- WHAT is left ,,, not what is right
#3- You signed on and your here ,,, make a desision
#4-MAKE IT WORK
I chose the last large Red Cedar knowing that it had it's issues (I was lucky to have a cedar log to pick at all),,, Issues like; shake and rot and splits and knots and It was just big enough to pull off the design I was formulating as the clock was ticking.
I was number 20 in the draw so the prime wood was gone and I needed Cedar to be able to carve as quickly as I could ,,, and I am a slow carver. Fir is great for detail, I was going for form and line ,,, Fir is also harder to carve then Cedar thus slower,,, the clock is ticking.
BIG WOOD
Chainsaw work is fast and furious in a compatition and pick of the log is by draw ,,, I was #20 and a few didn't show for the draw so I was still in the Cedar,,, You work with what you get. I needed a large log of Cedar to pull off this design as Douglas Fir is great for detail it is a lot slower to carve ,,, This log had some features and was an old growth Cedar,,,, The colour was great and really made the carving I feel,,,The fact I got it done on time is dew to my LOVELY assistant Dee,,,, I would not have finished on time had it not been for all the hard work she put in and the suport she gave,,, Dee did the photo's and a lot of hard sanding, running for coffee (starter flouid) and encouragement...
Thanks honey
Thanks honey
4 and a half days latter ,,,
The intensity of the competition is fast and furious,,, the energy is spiked,,, the sound is load,,, weather is the weather,,, the work is hard,,, get into the ZONE early,,,
I was so fortunate to win my division as a SEMI pro,,, First place this year and now I have moved up to PRO division for next year,,, playing in the BIG boys sand box !!!
I was so fortunate to win my division as a SEMI pro,,, First place this year and now I have moved up to PRO division for next year,,, playing in the BIG boys sand box !!!
Campbell River Transformations On The Shore Carving Competition 2010
This was the 14th annual Transformations on the shore carving competition, and my second, the first one for me was 4 years earlier. This year I had a real chain saw... I also got sponsored by Terry's Power Equipment, Terry donated a Dolmar chainsaw, Impressions Gallery donated a 3/8" belt sander, Louie VanSolkima donated $100.00 to the cause, Clint Minard the Makita REP donated a 1 3/8 " belt sander From Home Hardware in Campbell River with Glen Tullin,,, These people made me able to do this carving ,,,
It all starts with the log
Dan Richie's Griffin and Jr. Henderson's Feast Bowl both winners in the Pro division. And Jr's took Carvers Choice Award... The coolest thing happened here,,, There where 4 Pro Carvers, 3 prizes, when all the judging was done the three who placed decided to split the prize money 4 equal ways, no losers,,, How cool is that !!! Brings a whole new level of PRO CARVER'S
Here are just a few of the other works
By other carvers,,, Some great talent
Some didn't get a prize some did, yet I think they are all winners in this event,,,
CHAIN SAW CARVING
THIS IS A NEW SORT OF THING FOR ME
I am not a chainsaw carver as a rule I use a chain saw to gather wood to be hand carved in the studio with hand tools, and generaly I may use the chain saw to block out and that has been it. I have done 5 saw carvings so far, 3 in the last 4 years,,, SO it is all a learning curve for me,,, I hope to do a lot more now that I have the opportunity to explore this...
I am not a chainsaw carver as a rule I use a chain saw to gather wood to be hand carved in the studio with hand tools, and generaly I may use the chain saw to block out and that has been it. I have done 5 saw carvings so far, 3 in the last 4 years,,, SO it is all a learning curve for me,,, I hope to do a lot more now that I have the opportunity to explore this...
The Eagle has landed
This is my first eagle,,, I carved this as a demo and fundraiser for the building of a carving composition next year for Lake Days in Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island... I was invited to go down and participate and all expenses where covered in fact the 4 of use who went Max Chickite, Dan Richey and Jerry Stelioff with their families where all treated like Kings while we where there,,, The ribs where huge and I did manage barely to carve those up... The accommodations where great and the people who organized this did a first class job of it... Considering that they did all the arrangements in 2 weeks is a fantastic example of small town ingenuity, dedication, and determination and commitment,,, They did extremely well... You can see Jerry Strelioff in the background working on a life size Grizzly Bear
This is chain saw carving at it's best
This is some of the work Jerry does,,, Awesome!!!
The rest of the ROVIN CARVERS
Jerry's Bear, Dans 16' eagle, Max's Thumbs Up and Whale all donated to the cause,,,, Dans eagle was the pick of the park and Max's, Jerry's and mine where auctioned off to raise the funds for the invitation only carving competition next year,,,Raised enough to get a good start thanks to the people who bid and all who participated in the raffle !!!
