Here I am ready to start the wood carving process with a large chainsaw. All of my wood sculptures are started with a chainsaw. I am envisioning in the log the desired subject in my mind's eye. This particular sculpture will be two black bear cubs in a tree.

Carefully starting the first cuts in the log with the chainsaw.

Further defining the shape in the log with the large chainsaw, while continuing to visualize the shape of the bear cubs and the tree branches in my mind to keep the cuts in the right places.

Continuing to shape and remove wood from the log to reveal the bear cubs in the tree. There is a large pile of wood chunks in the background, which are actually the "negative" spaces from around many different sculptures that I have carved. The "negative" space for example on the sculpture in this picture is the area around the bear cubs and the tree branches that is carved away and removed.

Using a smaller chainsaw to shape and carve details on another bear sculpture.

Continuing to refine, shape, and detail the bear with the chainsaw. I do much of the fine detailing with the tip of the chainsaw, and I will do whatever it takes to accomplish this, even turning the chainsaw upside down and carving.

Here I am refining details with a grinder on another wood sculpture with bald eagles in a tree. After the chainsaw, I progress to smaller carving tools.

Here is a different eagle sculpture that I am burning with a torch. This is a common way that I color and shade my sculptures. Besides burning, on some sculptures I may also hand paint or stain parts of the sculpture.

Adding more detailing and touching up overburned spots on the eagle sculpture after the burning is completed.

Hand brushing on finish to preserve and protect a completed sculpture. There are many steps in my finishing process that are not pictured here.