Meet the Carvers
James Elliott
Hamilton
James is a professional wood sculptor from Glasgow. Based just outside Hamilton, he has been carving full time since 2019.
He is particularly fond of wildlife sculptures, historical subjects and pet portraits, whether they are trees still rooted in the ground or free standing sculptures, with an emphasis on capturing the unique details and expressions of his subjects.
You can see his recent public sculptures at Strathclyde Country Park & Palacerigg Country Park, Luss Fairy Trail, Brechin Castle, and multiple sites across Northern Ireland.
You can see more of his work on:
Www.jesculpture.com
@jesculpture (instagram)
@jewoodsculpture (TikTok)
PETE BOWSHER
Moffat
Pete's a quiet man by nature and is probably one of the original carvers in UK and arguably the Grandfather of chainsaw carving here.
He has carved all over UK and into Canada and USA.
Without doubt, Pete is the one person who has promoted Chainsaw Carving in this country.
He has demonstrated many times at the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston.
Here is your chance to see a master at work.
ALICE BUTTRESS
Carrbridge
https://www.carrbridgestudios.com
Alice Buttress is an established Chainsaw Carver and Ceramic Artist based in the highland village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park. She has been carving since 2005 when she first took part in Carve Carrbridge and has competed there nearly every year since then. She has also competed regularly in the A.P.F. European Chainsaw Carving Championships and has taken part at Garnock Valley Carves every year since it began. She also appeared in the BBC Scotland series 'Loggerheads' as part of a team of three woodworkers competing in various forests in Scotland.
Her work can be seen at Carrbridge Artists Studio along with artwork by her Artist husband Jeff and her Ceramic Artist daughter Amy. Alice has the dubious honour of usually being the oldest carver competing but has no plans to retire yet.
Website: https://www.carrbridgestudios.com
DAVE ROBERTS
Stonehaven ‘Welsh’
I started carving about 11 years ago after seeing the workshop of Simon O’Rourke, one of the world’s top carvers. I was amazed at what can be created with a chainsaw and decided to ‘have a go’ a while later. Having started with simple pieces I gradually progressed to more complex sculptures and started entering shows and competitions. I am still a part-time carver but I have carved in the USA, competed at Carve Carrbridge and Woodfest Wales many times, I have competed at the English Open and won my class at The Best of British competition in 2021.
I have competed at Garnock Valley Carves since its inception and took 3rd place in 2022. Originally from North Wales, I am now based outside Stonehaven in N.E. Scotland.
MIKE BURGESS
Cheshire
I am a professional wood sculptor and I have followed in a family tradition of wood carving.
My carvings are made using mainly chainsaws and power tools from trees and logs which are locally sourced by tree surgeons in the area. My work ranges from small pieces 2 feet high to very large bespoke pieces and includes owls, dogs, badgers, foxes, rocking horses, tree houses and garden benches.
I have clients throughout the UK, including some famous names.
I regularly demonstrate and exhibit at shows around the country. I have recently just completed a "Wombles Trail" in Alderney, Guernsey. They are have been installed across the island and granted Royal approval to use the carvings on stamps for Alderney. I took first place at Garnock Valley Carves in 2022
RONI MACDONALD
Oban
RONI’s Chainsaw Art is a showcase of my work which began in the mid nineties after seeing a geometric piece by another carver. My early pieces followed that abstract theme, gradually developing into more representative work creating unique bespoke pieces, which may not be technically accurate but hopefully depict motion and / or attitude. I have taken part at Carvecarrbridge since it’s inception 20yrs ago and GVC last year. I undertake commissions either freestanding, or in customers garden stump/s and demonstrate at various events. I use only chainsaws.
CRAIG "STEELEY" STEELE
Dundonald
Instagram "Steele Carvings"
Steeley, based in Dundonald, Ayrshire, is a practicing Arborist of over 20 years.
Carving was just an alternative to all the firewood that was produced from tree surgery, making use of such attractive timber.
Carving at his first event, Carve Carrbridge in 2013, led onto the European at APF and then several others in the UK.
Carving alongside international carvers led to invites abroad, including events in USA and Germany, making lifelong friends as a result.
Having a keen interest in British wildlife has been the main source of inspiration for his carvings. However, he delights in unusual requests for something different to expand his repertoire. A most notable carving project he had the pleasure of collaborating on was the World war sculptures in Rozelle Park, Ayr. Another one being the "Burns Experience" - the Devil playing the bagpipes for dancing witches (Tam O'Shanter)
Private, community and public commissions are always welcomed with a smile too.
My instagram account is "Steele Carvings".
Jonny 'Chainsaw' Stableford
Jonny's one of the few carvers who's skills still spread across the wood cutting industry. Whilst chainsaw carving both wood and ice form a large part of his work activities, he is still involved with arboriculture, commercial harvesting, chainsaw milling and chainsaw assessments.
Jonny first picked up a chainsaw in 1999 when attending the Barony College, Dumfries and started carving after seeing other chainsaw carvers in action while he was competing in the Pole Climbing Championships.
"It's a slippery slope of buying tools, making sawdust and then buying more tools but I love it!"
Jonny's based in Central Scotland but travels the UK for work and to take part in events. His workshop is situated in Muiravonside Country Park, Falkirk. www.jonnychainsaw.co.uk
IAN WILLIAMS
Wales
Ian
Lives in Flint Mountain, Flintshire North Wales with his wife, he has two grown up children.
Born 1962 in Prestatyn North Wales
Whilst growing up, he spent all his weekends and school holidays on his grandfather’s farm in Ruthin where he learnt the skill of using a chainsaw, supervised of course !!!
In 1986, Ian joined the Fire Service and followed in his fathers footsteps, who had been a fire fighter for 27 yrs. Ian spent 30 years in the fire and rescue service and continued to maintain his chainsaw skills during this time.
Woodfest Wales had always been an interest for Ian and he attended each year to study the carvers working as his interest grew. In 2012 he decided to try carving for himself and made a number of small chairs which he gave to relatives.
Studying the internet and books Ian tried to improve his carving technique and continues to do so. The recognition of someone wanting to pay money for his work inspired him to continue and practice further. He bought another saw and a carving bar and used his days off to carve, part time carving became Ian’s hobby.
Ian now has changed careers and is carving on a full-time basis. He considers himself to be a novice in comparison to most carvers here in the UK, but is continuing to improve with each carving produced. This will be Ian’s fourth year carving here at Beith.
KASPIAN ASKHAM
Wales
I am a wood sculptor based in the Elan Valley, Wales.
I use locally sourced wood to create sculptures for gardens, homes, and public spaces. I began carving in 2012 at the age of 12 and have received awards, including a second place award at the European Chainsaw Carving Championship 2024.
My process begins with the bold cuts of a chainsaw and is refined with chisels and dremel bits to bring each piece to life.
Igor Kucera
Czech Republic
I started drawing, painting and carving small pieces of pine bark at the age of 5. Around the same time, I started attending the School of Visual Arts, where I improved these skills.
Later on, I began using chisels and learnt to work with wood. At High School, I concentrated on graphic design, graduating from Technical University of Brno with a Design Management Degree. My university studies and MA course in Information and Graphic Design, caused a long break from woodcarving, with me opening a graphic design studio in Leicester.
When I returned to woodcarving back in Czech Republic, working on bigger pieces and at the age of 43, I learnt to work with a chainsaw, carving life-sized statues. Since then, taking part in many woodcarving shows and competitions across the world, I now work as a full time woodcarver.
Julian 'Jules' Carter
Devon
Jules is a Devon based Chainsaw sculptor with around 20 years of experience. He has always worked with wood; from sawmilling and carpentry to forestry and traditional Canadian style log cabins.
He breathes new life into logs and tree stumps and can be commissioned to carve whatever you can dream up.
His speciality is birds, however, he has carved a wide variety of weird and wonderful things in his career.
Tom Harris-Ward
Angus
Tom Harris-Ward is a multi award winning carver based in Angus. He first used a chainsaw at the age of 9 and started carving 20 years ago. Tom was the first British carver to be sponsored by STIHL and was a STIHL brand ambassador for 3 years. Toms work is mainly inspired by Scottish wildlife and the Angus coastline.
Adam Murray
Beattock
Adam has a sawmilling and traditional timber framing business, building rustic wooden stuctures.
His partner of 15 years is the daughter of "Chainsaw Pete" Bowsher. So he gets dragged into this chainsaw carving nonsense from time to time. 😉 When he's not butchering wood, with a sawmill, or chainsaw he enjoys beltin' out Celine Dion hits at any Karaoke bar and loves to stare at the clouds for hours on end.
Rob Dalton
North Wales - Chainsaw Artist, Founder of DaltonWood
Rob Dalton is a full-time chainsaw artist who transforms reclaimed timber into meaningful, one-of-a-kind sculptures for gardens, homes, businesses, and public spaces across the UK .
Once serving in both the military and the police, following a PTSD diagnosis Rob found a new, creative outlet when he took a chainsaw course.
That pivotal moment sparked the birth of DaltonWood and a reconnection with the outdoors and hands-on craftsmanship .
Rob’s approach is organic and intuitive: he doesn’t follow sketches or rigid plans. Instead, every piece begins with a conversation—an idea, a story, or a vision shared by a client. He studies the form, trusts the natural flow of the wood, and allows the sculpture to emerge during the carving process .
He primarily works with reclaimed wood sourced from local tree surgeons or sawmills—trees that would otherwise go to waste.
By breathing new life into this material, he creates sculptures that are not just beautiful, but full of meaning.
Having had a busy summer this is Rob's first time at Garnock Valley Carves.