
Many artists are discovering the beauty of chainsaw wood carving. The art is a natural extension and extension of their skill sets. It often involves a combination or modern and traditional carving techniques. Since the 1960s, Crager and Tracie Dugas have been carving beautiful wood pieces. In between shows, they try to get home as much as possible to help out with painting and staining. His daughters also help with some of his staining and painting projects. White pine is preferred by them as it is lighter and less susceptible to cracking.
Rich Anderson
Rich Anderson is a chainsaw wood carving artist from Reedsport. Anderson, a Poughkeepsie-native, lives with his family. Anderson holds several degrees in the fine arts and teaches art to children in the Pre-K to fifth grades. Anderson has carved many sculptures throughout Long Island. His pieces range from standing trees to smaller pieces like corn ear sculptures. He is currently working to create a sign for Youngs Farm, Riverhead.
He can create stunning sculptures with a $400 chainsaw that is much faster than it would take to cut a tree. Chainsaw wood carving is also a greener choice than chisels and hammers because they are recyclable. Anderson advertises his business through word of mouth and has carved a giant cobra and a great blue heron for a mechanic in Wading River.
Tracie Dugas
Tracie Dugas created this life-sized wizard from wood. It is a stunning example of her skills as a chainsaw wood carver. The young woman, 49, lives in Clare, Nova Scotia, between Digby and Yarmouth. The chainsaw wood carver, was among many artists who showed their work during Canada Day weekend in Sydney. The Sydney waterfront was flooded with tourists, but the brief dry spell provided a perfect opportunity for locals to enjoy the waterfront and catch a glimpse of the chainsaw artist.
Tim Crager
Tim Crager did not consider himself an artist. His skills with a chainsaw were only averagely proficient. But his passion for carving led to a full-time occupation six years later. Crager sold more than $1million worth of carvings over the Eastern U.S. in his six-year career. Crager was brought up in Garrett, Eastern Kentucky. As a child, he watched a chainsaw carver at work. The artist's style fascinated him so he called his boss one day and gave his two week notice.

Crager favors white pine over other wood types because it is easily accessible from tree trimming companies. But, there are many wood types that people prefer. Crager follows the grain in the wood and lets it guide his creations. Crager will change his mind during a project. However, he usually knows what he is going to make. While small projects can be completed in a matter of minutes, large carvings can take up to 33 to 35 hours.
Don Scoggins
Don Scoggins works as a chainsaw-woodcarver. His wood carvings are intricate and often feature many animals. His creations attract attention from both neighbors and tourists. Blue Arrow Farm's coffee shop and entrance are graced with the chainsaw sculptures. Don Oriolo owns Blue Arrow Farm and is an artist and manager of Felix the Cat. Don Oriolo and his wife, Kacie, met while competing in a chainsaw competition at the New Jersey State Fair.
The award-winning woodcarver started carving 15 years ago at a Reedsport, Oregon contest. He had carved before, but hadn't used a chainsaw. His carvings now include an otter, a mother bear and a squirrel peeking out of a tree. And now he's preparing to compete in the National Chainsaw Carving Competition.
Dan Porter

Dan Porter, a chainsaw woodcarver from Oregon has been a highly-respected local talent for many years. His intricate and meticulous carvings are loved around the globe. But before he became famous, he spent years carving for the timber industry and met other like-minded people. Here are some things that made him an international wood carver.
FAQ
How long does it take to finish a piece of furniture?
It depends on the size of the piece of furniture. You can finish smaller projects, such as boxes or picture frames, in one day. Larger projects like tables and desks take many days. It takes time to properly stain and seal wood.
How can I learn basic woodworking skills
You can start building furniture by making a bench. This project can easily be done using whatever wood you have at your house. If you're not sure which kind of wood to choose, you can purchase cheap pine boards at Lowes and Home Depot. Once you have built your bench, you will need to sand it off and then finish it with a stain/varnish.
How often should I purchase new supplies?
You will likely need to replace some tools over time. Sharpening hand tools is a must. And if you're using power tools, you'll need replacement parts periodically. You can spread your purchases over a number of months to avoid spending too much.
Statistics
- Most woodworkers agree that lumber moisture needs to be under 10% for building furniture. (woodandshop.com)
- If your lumber isn't as dry as you would like when you purchase it (over 22% in Glen Huey's opinion…probably over 10-15% in my opinion), then it's a good idea to let it acclimate to your workshop for a couple of weeks. (woodandshop.com)
- The best-paid 10 percent make $76,000, while the lowest-paid 10 percent make $34,000. (zippia.com)
- In 2014, there were just over 237,000 jobs for all woodworkers, with other wood product manufacturing employing 23 percent; wood kitchen cabinets and countertop manufacturing employing 21 percent. (theartcareerproject.com)
External Links
How To
Here are some tips on how to drive nails in wood
The first step in driving a nail into wood is to choose the correct size and type of hammer. Claw hammers include mallets, claw hammers (sledgehammers), mallets, ball-peen hammers, hatchets, and mallets. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, a claw hammer works best when you want to hit something hard, like nails; however, it's difficult to control precisely where the blow lands. A sledgehammer is great for hitting large areas at once, but it's too heavy to use effectively for smaller tasks.
Place your hand flat on the side of your chosen hammer so that the handle rests in your palm. Take the handle and hold it with both hands. But don't press down so hard you injure yourself. You should hold the hammer straight-up, with your wrist still relaxed. You should then swing the hammer straight up, keeping your wrist relaxed. You should feel the impact of your hammer hitting the nail. You can practice swinging the hammer with a block or wood until you feel the rhythm.
The hammer should be held close to your body when you are ready to begin driving the nail. The nail should be perpendicular to wood's surface. Keep your attention on the tip. Move the hammer forward and then continue to move the hammerhead. Repeat this action several times, gradually increasing the speed of the swing. When you are confident with the technique, add power to your swings. Hold the hammer high above your shoulders and pull it down. This will help you put more energy behind each of your moves.
Once you've nailed the first hole, remove the hammer from the nail. To pull out the remaining nails, use a screwdriver or pry bar. You should ensure that the nails are flush with the board's surface to avoid splitting the wood.