Meet the Carvers
PETE BOWSHER
Moffatt
DAVE ROBERTS
Stonehaven ‘Welsh’
I started carving about 11 years ago after seeing the workshop of Simon O’Rouke, 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, I 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.
JONNY "CHAINSAW" STABLEFORD
Falkirk
Jonny Chainsaw is one of the few carvers who’s skills still spread across the wood cutting industry. Whilst chainsaw carving 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 whilst 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.
SHANE GREEN
Yorkshire
I started carving in stone as a teenager at Birmingham Art College,UK….taught art in a high school ever since and first used a chainsaw at Ridgeway Rendezvous PA a decade ago and been hooked ever since.
Most of my carvings are in public places and I enjoy taking the craft of direct carving to the general public when ever I can.
I have done all the European Championships since 2012 after I had gone down and carved 17 sculptures in 17 days in London parks for London 2012 Olympics free of charge, must have been mad then!
Since then I have done the English Championshios three times, Sandringham Cup three times and Carrbridge last year.
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.
SYLVIA ITZEN
Germany
This world renowned wood carving artist is easily one of most out of the box carvers out there. Her exceptional creativity with sculpting has put her at the top of her game. Her beautiful portfolio of work covers wildlife, imaginative and playful figurative work and mind bending abstracts. There is no wonder she is a member of the Stihl carving team Germany.
Sylvia has a background in draftsmanship, painting and stone carving. Inspired by the works of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. She now has 20 years experience as a chainsaw carver.
She has travelled the world with her art and participated in countless events, symposiums and competitions. Her achievements to name a few, 1st place at the first ‘zero emissions’ speed carving cup in Toei, Japan in 2019.
2020 winner of the team speed carving Blockhausen cup in Mulda, Germany.
2021 winner of the Peoples Choice Team at Blockhausen with Red Riding Hood. There is a post about this piece further down our page.
This is a true artist working with chainsaws. Take some time to look through her work and be inspired by her career as a world class chainsaw carver.
