Sunday, November 13, 2011

Gone Fishing.

Occasionally an artist gets to discover something new in his work.  This week I was carving a bear on all 4 legs so was working down towards his feet a little at a time.  As you can see below, I never made it to the feet.  Instead I found the water's surface of a fishing stream and determined it was easier to carve water than it  was to carve legs, toes and claws.  And I needed a reason for my bear to be in the water,,, a large salmon.

This piece is about 38 inches wide, carved in red pine, and finished with burning, paint and oil.  It was also customer supplied wood so it's SOLD.  Customer hasn't seen it yet so I hope they like it :)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Need a Chainsaw Artist?

Would you like to find a Chainsaw Artist in your part of the world?
I have listed hundreds of chainsaw carvers on my World Map of Chainsaw Artists at Google Maps.  The below banner contains links to my map page detailing how to create your own links to this resource {click left side}, to the Google Maps display with 2 pages of listings {click Google Maps text on banner}, and a KML file which will open in Google Earth {must have Earth installed on your computer} allowing you to 'fly' around the world visiting these artists {click Google Earth text on the banner}.

If you are a Chainsaw Sculptor/Artist/Carver and would like to be added to the map, first check to see if I've already included you.  Then, if necessary, leave a comment here with your website address so I can include you and your carving business.


Click to go to map home page. Click to view map in Google Maps.
Click to view map in Google Earth.

Find Artists Near You & Around The Globe!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Why is it always a bear?

I've heard that "Why is it always a bear?" question from Lookers.  Never from Buyers...

Why to chainsaw artist carve bears?  Because bears pay the bills!  Bears account for no less than 50% of sales. The mantra is, "carve a bear, carve what I want, carve a bear, carve something artsy, carve a bear, carve a dragon, carve a bear, etc..."  All those bears will sell before that one dragon!  But everything sells eventually.

Recognizing this, I have focused on improving the look of my bear carvings.  This first photo is of a bear I carved earlier this year.  Not bad and quite sell-able  but left a lot of room for improvement.  The following 2 photos are of the exact same carving after I reworked it using some newly learned techniques.  Not a lot of wood had to be removed to achieve a much more realistic, and eye pleasing, product.


The last photo (below) is of another bear carved with these improvements.  In addition, rather than simply burning to darken the fur, color was added after the burn to enhance the over all look.