Chain-saw carving becoming accepted as an art form, carvers say

Chain-saw carvers’ biggest days could be ahead of them if trends continue.

Carvers who have participated in the craft for nearly a decade or longer said they have seen the art form evolve, becoming an accepted medium that’s developing its own industry.

Wood carving has become an acceptable “folk art,” said Nyal Thomas, a Gold Bar resident who has carved for 28 years.

“Years ago I wasn’t considered an artist,” he said.

The work was not considered art because it requires a chain saw, said Steve Backus, a carver from Whidbey Island who has carved for more than 30 years.

Chain-saw carving competitions are becoming a trend as more communities want the event in their town because it attracts visitors, he said.

“About 10 to 20 years ago, we were just trying to make it happen and provide a valuable show,” Backus said.

More competitions in the United States and elsewhere are starting to be invitation only, getting the best of the best, Thomas said. Participants’ accommodations are sometimes even paid for, he said.

The competitions allow carvers to make connections with potential customers, who shop around the different booths and see whose art they like, Backus said.

Both Backus and Davey Gagné, a seven-year carver from Olympia, said their wood carving businesses are doing well. They have been busy fulfilling custom job requests from new and returning customers.

“I think that’s why I’m still busy,” Gagné said. “With (those) connections and repeat customers, they know I can get the job done.”

The current demand for wood carvings is exceeding the ability for carvers to keep up with requests, said George Kenny, who has carved for 15 years and operates a chain-saw carving school in Allyn, Wash.

The popularity of wood carving accelerated within the past 10 years, but has really gained momentum in the past two or three, Kenny said.

There has always been a subculture industry, but with the Internet and high demand for carvings almost anyone can churn out some bear carvings and make more money, Backus said.

Thomas said he is concerned the craft will become viewed as an industry rather than an art. Some productive carvers will create a carving and a customer will want 20 of them produced so they can sell them at their shop, he said.

“We’re artists and we take a lot of pride in our work,” Thomas said. “We don’t just carve to produce stuff.”

Kenny said wood carvings used to be something sold on the side of the road, but are becoming more common at galleries and displays in commercial and retail areas.

Kenny said on TV he’s seen more people in commercials running chain saws than before. Backus was recently featured carving small bears on a PEMCO Insurance TV advertisement.

“It only needs one or two little pushes and I think it’s going to be mainstream,” Kenny said.