National chain saw artists' work available at the chamber office

By Nancy Malcom

Nevada Daily Mail

Natives of Missouri, Stacey and JoAnn Robinson are woodcarving artists. What makes their carving unique is that it is all done with chain saws. Exhibition artists, the Robinson family creates art in public forums.

As a professional handcarving artist, Stacy starting using the chain saw as a preliminary to his handcarving; but soon discovered he had a special talent.

"Stacey was carving the complete piece with the saw never needing the carving knives.

We eventually put aside the carving knives and strictly used the saws.

He has entered pieces in hand carving shows and has placed first on several occasions," Joann said.

Stacey left his 15 year job as a carpenter when his chain saw art starting placing number one at art shows and competitions.

JoAnn was a handcarver; but soon joined him in the exhibition chain saw art career. Their son Clint showed an early talent in the carving and also joined the show. For over 20 years they have appeared at state and local fairs, openings, private and public events of all types all across the United States.

JoAnn describes the family performance this way, "Clint carves either with his father or mother. We have three daughters, Ashley, Taylor and Bailee. The girls open our shows with a detailed announcement that informs the audience about chain saw carving, the family, show times, and how they can obtain a carving.

"After the demonstration with the two carvers, the family answers questions and hands out business cards while Clint adds the finishing touches and treats each piece with a wood preservative." The artwork is completed within the hour as the audience watches it take form from a simple piece of wood.

Their art is inspired by the wood; but the inspiration can send them looking for the right wood to work with. JoAnn explained, "Sometimes we search for a particular piece of wood not only by color but by shape as well. An example would be if we were to carve a pair of roosting eagles, we would use a forked walnut tree. The forked tree would allow for more than one eagle to be carved and would make them appear more natural roosting in a tree and the walnut would give them their color. We sometimes would leave on some of the sap wood (outer part of the tree which is white) to use for the eagles head and to tip the feathers." As exhibition artists they are hired to perform at state and county fairs as well as grand openings, open houses, home shows, schools and personal or business gatherings.

They have performed in 39 states and have been requested to perform in Canada and Japan and on cruise ships.

They also offer tree art where they carve standing dead trees into totem poles, animals or other art shapes.

They have won several awards over the past 20-plus years. Two pieces they are very proud of are A Native American Maiden placed in the Billy The Kid museum in Fort Sumner New Mexico and The Defender (representing a man best known for putting and end to the notorious Dalton Gang) in the museum of history in Coffeeville, Kan."

Creating the art is as satisfying to the Robinsons as seeing the finished piece.

"We truly enjoy carving each piece and seeing the finished product as well, since no two pieces are exactly alike. Each piece is one of a kind," JoAnn said.

Her advice to beginning artists of any art field is, "Try not to let anyone discourage you. If you believe you can, you can." They plan on continuing the family art business. It's not only their livelihood, but how they enjoy life. As JoAnn said, "As long as I can hold a chain saw in my hands I will be a chain saw carver. It is my talent, my gift."

For more information, see The Robinson Carving Company, Montgomery City, Mo., Web site at www.robinsoncarving.com.