Saw Dogs...Chainsaw Art is Ready for Prime Time

01/20/2012

by Eileen Marable

Have you ever seen someone standing in front of a giant piece of wood considering it with the intensity of an artist’s eye? That knot on the side? That could be a nose on an impish face. Or that slight curve…that could become the delicate arch of an eagle’s wing.

If you are lucky, then you have. That’s what I saw when I first saw a chainsaw artist performing his craft. 

 

Saw Dogs airs Saturdays at 9p E/P

It was at a Nascar race, with a parking lot scene that looked like a traveling fair. There were booths and displays peddling everything from shirts and jewelry to beer cozies.  But, there was one display that always had the biggest crowd – the chainsaw carver. 

I wandered over to check it out not expecting much – it’s a log after all. Well, as it turns out, it’s NOT just a log.  It’s a labor of love.

What I saw was a guy looking at a log – much like I described above. Despite the noise and all the eyes on him, he considered the log from all sides and you could almost see the vision forming in his head.

When he got started, he attacked that log. Wielding what was likely more than a 20 lb. chainsaw he carved that log like a hot knife through butter.  As the crowds and I stood with our mouths hanging open (and getting covered in a shower of sawdust), first it was big sweeping cuts and then he moved on to fine movements and a back and forth motion that looked like polishing.

The end result – a bear standing on his hind legs with a salmon in his mouth. You could see every hair, every scale…they looked magnificent and it just fit that they were carved out of wood.

I don’t know who that carver was, but what I witnessed seemed like the marriage of two things.  Performance art – the speedy flashing of a chainsaw that any minute could cut something more than wood. And then there is the end result – the amazingly detailed sculptures and fine as anything you’d see in an art gallery.

The truth is, many wood carvings do end up in galleries or on display as treasured artworks in homes or clubs.  Then there are the artists – sculptors with just a different kind of medium.

Can you see why we here at Velocity are excited about our new show Saw Dogs? It’s a mix of everything we love the most – talent, action and that something a little bit different.  In this case an art form that has taken some fifty years to get the recognition is deserves.

Our master carver is Steve Blanchard – a chainsaw artist who has created incredibly detailed works over his storied career. In addition to his commissioned artworks, he is the creator of Itsyville… a whimsical miniature village complete with tree houses, elves and animals of every variety.  It is hard to imagine how he could get the detail so fine that you get lost in it.

Steve brings carvers from all walks of life, each with varying styles to his workshop in Canada to complete a weekly project.  The design direction is discussed and when Steve yells, “hit the pile” the carvers are turned loose to work their magic.  Steve evaluates the work along the way and in the end we’ll see which carver’s work will go to the client.

Sounds like a breeze? Don’t forget these are artists – each with their own vision and methods. Oh and they are using CHAINSAWS.

If you haven’t already discovered Saw Dogs I hope you’ll tune in this Saturday at 9:00p E/P.  The first assignment is to carve a bust of a Super Bowl punter – and for some it’s tough tackling the human form.  You’ll also see a gorgeous eagle destined for a golf course meet an inexperienced forklift driver.  Not a good combination.

We know you love the kind of artistry and out of the box thinking you get from the designers we showcase in the custom car industry.  This underground art form is filled with artists of a different kind just waiting for you to discover them.  And when everyone is talking about it at work you can dazzle them with your inside knowledge – after all you’ve been with us from the beginning.

Drop us a line and let us know what you think of Saw Dogs!

 

Comments

[Brian Benham]

I hope they are making more episodes of this show. It defiantly gets me motivated to get into my own shop and make something over the top!

[Brad Carrier]

INCREDIBLE show...I've seen them all & hoping for more. I sculpt as well...not exclusively chainsaw, do furniture, furnishings & learning more of the chainsaw methods. The best show EVER created for TV to me. These guys, their personalities, vision, they are what I'm all about. I idolize, I envy, I work toward inclusion. GREAT GREAT works!!! Thank you

[ken]

These guys are incredibly talented.

I saw the bald eagle episode. It was obvious the head being knocked off was staged. In slow mo you can see the the head falling off before it was hit. Both parts that "broke off" were smooth. The head had already been sawed off. They were already planning to take the head and tail off to make it a bald eagle. As always these shows have to add drama and have to create a bumbling idiot (ryan). Can you quit staging stuff and have a REAL reality show.

[Brian]

Would you guys be interested in carving a Bowsprit Figurehead for a 50' sailboat?

[Billie Jean Clevenger]

I love to see other people's chainsaw art. My husband sculpted my parents trees in their backyard a few years ago making a buddah and then a geisha the results were amazing!! They can be viewed at www.lcswoodwork.com. He has worked with wood ever since.

[Tdog]

My bad I missed the top, stand by my observations....Cheers.....

[Tdog]

Gone in 60 seconds....hehe

[Tdog]

The stupid PANDERING give away "it has to be done in 2 days".....this post will go away just like my last post...only love posts allowed here...cheers

[Tdog]

Cant believe you guys are buying this, predictable format, been done with pawn shops, storage lockers, alligator culling.......good god, where is the saturation point......can no one see the BS they are selling....Enjoy

[Sammy Campbell]

Saw the show for the first time 05/19/2012 and loved it. If you guys do not turn it into a typical reality show, all will be good and I will continue to watch. These guys deserve better.

[Ron Chambers]

when are you going to make saw dogs a permanent part of your line up. I would watch every episode.

[Harry Davis]

I followed the show from day one and loved all the work. Amazing. I am curious about the last show and the "for sale" sign. Is there going to be another season?

[Kenna]

I just saw your show for the first time. It was really cool. I have a suggestion for a guest carver, Doug Moreland. He's a Texas musician and chainsaw artist. He has a chainsaw gallery near Austin, TX where he works with master carver R. L. Blair. Doug is not only talented but he is an interesting character as well! Check out www.dougmoreland.com

[Sheila Clark]

My husband and I love the art!Amazing talent. My husband is a woodcarver and always wanted to try his hand in chainsaw art. I would like to suggest one thing. Keep it fun and show more chainsaw work and much less of the fighting. There is way too much reality t.v. that comes across scripted. True artist don't need that to keep viewers intersted. You guys are truly gifted. Love the joking and laughing...just not the fighting.

[Brett]

I purchased an incredible chainsaw carving of an eagle in 1993 from a guy in N. GA along the NC line. He was moving to the Dakotas at the time and closing his gallery. Any way to find out who/where he is? Anyone that may know - I can send photos of the piece. When I bought it I was married and she took down his info and 'lost' it. Any help would be appreciated.

[andrew sacco]

it the best show i seen it is real ps do you teach for beginners andy

[andrew sacco]

do you sell disk for beginners

[LoneCypress]

I love this show! Finally reality show with something different on every episode. I hope you guys get signed for many seasons to come. And wow your season finale was a HOME RUN!

[kjhhg]

Not bad but I've seen better. And they cry & moan too much, like a bunch of girls.

[jay woz]

I Have a 14' panther carved from mahogany it is a work of art better than anything i have ever seen call me if interested 239-985-0054

[Chainsaw Casey]

They're not that good. Primative folk artists. Zombies. Nobody home in those carvings. I can do better. Http://chainsawcasey.com

[Ron Shafer]

what can I say this show is awesome,watch every show,recorded them all so far and I watch them over and over,I would replace Ryan in a heart beat,I have 30yrs in construction and drive all forklifts like no other! Please do not take this show away,these men are awesome @ their craft!A real pleasure and joy to watch.I would love to take Ryans spot,he does not know how good he has it!

[Von Nicholson]

I just now saw clips of saw dogs on the net for the first time. Makes me shake. I just found out in the first week of Dec. about 2 months or so ago that I can do this.I had never tried it, I don't consider myself an artist.In Jan. and Feb. I jumped in with both feet, and now have 10 large pieces complete. A 5 1/2 foot parrot,eagles in flight, a 6 foot wooden indian with a dog by his feet that I didn't plan,it just happened. It's all new to me and, I'm loveing it! vonnicholson@aol.com

[Mark Outler]

How can I purchase some of the cutoffs from the blocking cuts? I make small woodworking projects.

[Bianca]

Get rid of this " apprentice" kid!! He should not have a job their, always wrecking stuff and doesn't seem to want to learn from the pros! Get someone who wants to actually be their . Besides that I love the show, it's unbelievable what they can do with a chain saw and wood. Favorite show!!! Keep up the amazing carvings!!!