Howdy! My name is Dusty, I don't raise hell, I raise the grain.
Embracing the art of chainsaw carving
Wood carving is more than just a business – it is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and creativity. As a wood carver, I have experienced the transformative power of this ancient art form firsthand. From the delicate precision of power carving to the raw strength and beauty of chainsaw carving. It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. In this blog, I will take you on my personal journey into the world of wood carving, and share the joys, challenges, what I'm carving now and lessons I have learned along the way. So hit "Subscribe", grab a drink and join me as we explore the artistry of wood carving together.
My first chainsaw carving
It all began with an angle grinder a carbide cutting disc and a piece of drift wood. At that moment I became a power carver. Sounds so strong right?!. As you read later, a spinning carbide disc at 20K RPM is no joke. As my skills increased so did the size of the project. I realized my Sawzall just wasn't cutting it.
I didn't pick up a chainsaw until 2020. I purchased my first Echo CS-310. My first big chainsaw carving vision, came in a huge block of construction beam. My vison fired a burning desire to create something beautiful for my son Capt. Nick Elliott.. like a Blue Marlin jumping out of the water. Don't laugh. I'm from Texas, I have big visions. As I set out to carve, I quickly discovered that sketching the outline for my template was the easy part. The moment I picked up my chainsaw, I felt a spark ignite within me, fueling my creativity and pushing me to carve something that hopefully, would resemble a 3D fish!
Those first cuts were so intimidating. I could see the marlin inside that. That block sat for a good while until I researched how to go about "blocking" out my drawing.
From the very beginning, I was captivated by the details and my ability to bring life through the power of my saw. Each pass brought me closer to my vision, and with every area I completed, my confidence grew. Then, just like most hobbyists, you realize you need another tool. The Echo CS 2511p with a dime tip carving bar. This saw surely gave me a seat next to the real chainsaw carvers of the world. LOL
Power of Safety leads to Possibility
Wood carving wasn't always smooth sailing. Early on, I nearly cut off my fingertip in the table saw. Then, there was the time I was carving spoons. I thought I would be working smarter by putting the angle grinder in the jaws of the sawhorse. My glove and 2 fingers went for a quick rotation. Actually, a tendon on each finger that is still healing almost 2 years later. You can bet I won't do that again. Stay with me here... the last safety violation ( I will ever make ) came crashing down on my head, splitting it open in 3 places. If you have a portable mill, and want to hang it from a rafter, be sure to secure it good.
There were moments when I doubted my abilities, when my left hand trembled with uncertainty. Mainly due to the fact that my fingers took a while to get with the program. Yet, in those moments, the wood itself seemed to guide me, offering its wisdom and patience, helping me to slow down and make better decisions.
Through perseverance and sheer determination, I learned to embrace the challenges that came my way. The knots and grains of the wood became my allies, teaching me to adapt and improvise when faced with obstacles. With each setback, I emerged stronger, all fingers in tact and way more resilient.
I would love for you to "Subscribe". It's motivating to know you are interested in my progress.
Next post, "Bringing ideas to life"
DustyGirl xoxo
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