About Mike
Birthday: October 29
Hometown: Marengo, IL
ECHO Carving Championship Appearances:
- 2009: 2nd Place
- 2007: 6th Place
- 2006: 5th Place
Professional Carver Since: 2001
Most Challenging Carving: a 25’ tall, 300 year old oak tree
Favorite Wood to Carve: Catalpa and Redwood
Non-carving Hobbies: Racquetball and rollerblading
Oddest Job Ever: Cleaning up a meat room in a butcher shop
Favorite Saw: ECHO CS-680
How long have you been a professional carver?
I started competing in the pro class in 2001
How did you get into the business?
I have always loved sculpture. I had done some whittling and started working in clay when I was asked to be on a snow sculpting team. I did a practice piece in my front yard and got hooked on large sculpture. Folks asked if I could carve there tree so I bought a few saws and started carving.
What do you like most about your chosen profession?
The ability to use my creativity to earn a living is truly a blessing.
About how many hours do you carve weekly?
That depends on how hungry I am. The most was about 70 in one week.
What do you view the biggest challenge when competing?
Planning a unique piece worthy of winning in such a short time.
What was the worst thing that happened to you during a competition?
I broke a chain in Quincy once and was in such a big hurry to put on a new one that I put it on backwards. And if that wasn't bad enough, a fellow carver saw me do it and took a picture of it.
What do you consider your best work?
I think my best is still yet to come. I did like the mountain lion I carved in Bluefield VA and would have liked to have kept it.
What was your most challenging commission job?
A 25' tall, 300 year old oak tree in a creek bed. It took two days to set up the scaffolding.
Where do you get your inspiration for carving?
I love to go to book store, drink some good coffee and look at pictures. Anything from classical art and sculpture to wildlife. It makes for a nice date with my Wife.
What's your favorite wood to carve?
I had the chance to carve some big Redwood in 2009 and it was very nice and big, but I still enjoy carving Catalpa the best.
What's your favorite subject to carve?
I don't have a favorite subject so to speak. I do love a challenge though.
What's your favorite ECHO chain saw?
My favorite saw is a CS-680 with a 20" toonie bar.
What do you like about ECHO chain saws?
Longevity..... Gas, oil and an occasional cleaning keeps them running.
What has it been like to be a member of the ECHO Carving Team?
Being a team member has given me opportunities that I may never have had otherwise. I have had the chance to carve from Virginia to Washington and many places in between.
What is your most memorable carving event/experience as a team member?
One of my favorite ECHO events was the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary.
What advice would you give to a novice carver?
Be safe, Buy good equipment and spend time with other carvers.
What saw would you recommend to someone just starting out in chain saw carving?
For carvers starting out, I recommend the CS-370. It’s light weight, powerful and can run both a carving bar and a utility bar.
What changes have you seen in recent years involving the carving industry?
I think the public perception of chainsaw carving has changed some in the last few years. I think in the past it had been thought of as more of a craft than an art form. It seems to be becoming more collectable