First off I am elated we have had some serious carvers come aboard, we thank you for your support and for being here. I love this style of large carving. I live at the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountain range and we go on up to the hills frequently to get some fresh air and get into the trees and watch the squirrels. While up there we always pass by a gentleman who is chainsaw carving on the side of the road in front of his home. He has an endless supply of lumber and logs, since our forest has been hit hard with the Boring Beetle our forestry service has had to thin out the forest and it seems he has an in with the department, because he has a stack of huge logs about 30 feet tall and 100 feet in diameter. He does the same style that Lance Kellogg and Tracy Daniels does and perhaps Richard Kruse. His carvings also reach the heights of totem poles and in the form of bears and other natural scenery, just like our carvers here do. I love the art.

My question is, where do you guys go for inspiration, are their clubs nearby in your towns, are there any good sites and forums you frequent (feel free to link them here) and any other information is appreciated.

Thanks again guys for bringing your unique and special art form to our forum, I know we have a couple other carvers here as well but their names escape me this early in the morning.

Thanks again guys for coming aboard and welcome to The Patriot Woodworker

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Hello John,

I get my inspiration from the many things around the house and over the years I have carve almost anything. I look at something and say," I think I'll carve that." Here following are a few samples.

 

 

I hope that I haven't hogged the show and thanks for looking.

Ralph

Hi John, I to get my inspiration all over! The wood dictates your product to a degree also. Ive started a bear and ended up with a coon or even a cat. Ha! I've turned a eagle into a mushroon before. The picture you featured with the wings and eagle head was i mistake (spelling) so i improvised and hollowed it and eagle head in the center.

   As for forums, the carving post.com  Then click the fourm one. they have acouple of other sites listed also.  Alot of very talented artist there, world wide.

Hey Ralph, no hogging going on here, just showing off!!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful projects, and that is some nice carving sir.

Ralph Allen Jones said:

Hello John,

I get my inspiration from the many things around the house and over the years I have carve almost anything. I look at something and say," I think I'll carve that." Here following are a few samples.

 

 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Thanks Tracy, now that is funny. Mistakes? How does that ol saying go, a mistake is just a new opportunity to make improvements, or something like that. Pretty cool how you just went with it, a piece breaks off I assume or you slip the chainsaw the wrong way. Eagle into a mushroom! LOL.

Thanks for the sites, I am going to see them now. And thanks again for being here.

Tracy Daniels said:

Hi John, I to get my inspiration all over! The wood dictates your product to a degree also. Ive started a bear and ended up with a coon or even a cat. Ha! I've turned a eagle into a mushroon before. The picture you featured with the wings and eagle head was i mistake (spelling) so i improvised and hollowed it and eagle head in the center.

   As for forums, the carving post.com  Then click the fourm one. they have acouple of other sites listed also.  Alot of very talented artist there, world wide.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Hi John

My inspiration comes from the client. Most of my carvings are done for people that commission me to carve what they desire or a vision. I do a lot of Family History carvings also. I like to carve realism and attempt to create a subject as close to the natural look as possible. In my opinion, the most marketable carving is a character style but I just have my quirk and like realism. I also take from others and put a twist to them or put my touch to it so to speak. There are really talented Chainsaw carvers out here and I try to match my skill level to theirs. At least my perception of their level. I have found everything sells , simply because everyone has different taste or perception of what is appealing to them.

There are other forums out there and I look into them occassionally but to me I think facebook is the largest, fastest and becoming the best place to meet people of like interest of any art or woodworking location. It is opening a whole new world for people like me trying to grow in my and others art forms or interests. I have a couple of friends that make rustic furiture and we try to combine our hobbies. Just this year I have been doing several carving projects with them to create bed headboards or posts with unique wildlife and Nature scenes. They seem to be finding a niche and with the economy, I find it a welcome addition or avenue for all of us to gain or make up revenue lost due to a down turn in the economy. Bottom line is I just love the creation and happiness it brings me and the client. Sorry! I  got a little long winded and probably off subject. lol

Thanks Lance! Inspired by your customers, very nice.

I must agree that Face Book has become a catch all meeting place for folks from all over. I never would have met you guys if not for FB!

Lance, are your headboards on our site? Now those sound cool, I mean really cool.

Lance Kellogg said:

Hi John

My inspiration comes from the client. Most of my carvings are done for people that commission me to carve what they desire or a vision. I do a lot of Family History carvings also. I like to carve realism and attempt to create a subject as close to the natural look as possible. In my opinion, the most marketable carving is a character style but I just have my quirk and like realism. I also take from others and put a twist to them or put my touch to it so to speak. There are really talented Chainsaw carvers out here and I try to match my skill level to theirs. At least my perception of their level. I have found everything sells , simply because everyone has different taste or perception of what is appealing to them.

There are other forums out there and I look into them occassionally but to me I think facebook is the largest, fastest and becoming the best place to meet people of like interest of any art or woodworking location. It is opening a whole new world for people like me trying to grow in my and others art forms or interests. I have a couple of friends that make rustic furiture and we try to combine our hobbies. Just this year I have been doing several carving projects with them to create bed headboards or posts with unique wildlife and Nature scenes. They seem to be finding a niche and with the economy, I find it a welcome addition or avenue for all of us to gain or make up revenue lost due to a down turn in the economy. Bottom line is I just love the creation and happiness it brings me and the client. Sorry! I  got a little long winded and probably off subject. lol

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker