|
"Masters of the Chainsaw" coming to Ridgway |
|
|
|
Thursday, 08 February 2007 |
 Photo by Greg Reedy Brian Ruth, a member of "Masters of the Chainsaw" stands next to his 18-foot chainswaw-only Native American carving. By Greg Reedy The group calls themselves “Masters of the Chainsaw.”
Those attending the upcoming Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous will get to see why.
The “Masters of the Chainsaw” will be returning to this year’s Rendezvous to show off their skills and reconnect with those in the carving community.
This group travels around and competes in various competitions wherever they may be and even though the Rendezvous is not a competitive event, the “Masters” love to come and experience it for themselves.
The group started as Brian Ruth graduated from Villanova. The sculpting agent of the group and Ruth’s wife, Jen Watson Ruth, said Brian was not interested in having a typical office job.
“He didn’t want to be in a suit and tie all day,” she said.
Ruth taught himself the art of chainsaw carving and connected with Dennis Beach, a fellow carver, who started hand-selecting clients to travel with them. Around 2000, Brian Ruth handed the day-to-day operations to Jen.
“Once we were engaged, he said ‘I’ve got to focus on the carving,’ and he basically handed the agency to me,” she said. “I book carvers from the west coast to the east coast.”
Today, there are 12 carvers that are associated with the group full-time. There is also an international influence to the group as well.
“Brian brought chainsaw carving to Japan in 1995,” Ruth said. “There’s a division in Japan. Rick Boni used to be one of his carvers and we sent him over there to teach.”
Coming to the Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous is a time the group looks forward to every year in part because they get to see people who share their interests.
“It’s a great experience,” Ruth said. “With the amount of carvers and the massive amount of energy, it’s a chance to carve in the snow.”
During last year’s Rendezvous, Brian Ruth gave a lesson to CBS’ Julie Chen of “The Early Show” about the art of chainsaw carving.
Jen Watson Ruth is happy to see the growth of the Rendezvous, the international spread to Europe, Asia and Australia and the fact she gets to see many close friends made through the event makes the trip exciting.
She also views the event as a chance to see the possible next members of “Masters of the Chainsaw.”
“It’s a major place for me to scout and get together with like-minded individuals,” she said.
She will also be releasing a new group at the Rendezvous entitled “The Chainsaw Chix,” an international group of female carvers, some of which are from Australia and Germany.
Overall, the “Masters of the Chainsaw” enjoy making the journey to Ridgway and supporting chainsaw carving.
“We’ve been there every year to support the Rendezvous and the Bonis,” Ruth said.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 April 2007 )
|
