We are expecting artists from all over Germany, England, Wales, Belgium, Sweden, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Ecuador and the Ukraine. Please take your time and meet them on this page.

This year the following artists participate:

I'm Thomas Fabry from Karlsruhe, 28 years young. After my study as an engineer-technicien I'm nowadays technical purchaser.

I started chainsaw carving about 5 ½ years ago. It's my hobby and I enjoy to be creative and relaxing while I'm carving.

My hobbies are: chainsaw carving, snowboarding and youth work.

Website: www.kettensaegenschnitzereien-fabry.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Country: England

Website: www.holzkreationen.de

Federal State: Thüringen

My name is Jens Hellstern, I was born in 1981 and I live in the beautiful Black Forest. My friends just call me "Wonne".

In 2009 I started chainsaw carving and since that time I practise it as a hobby.

Like many others I started carving while making firewood. People often asked me, if the could buy my sculptures and that was the beginning of my hobby.

Besides the chainsaw carving I love to go fishing and go out with my dog. I´m also an active hag in a fools club.

Website: www.kunst-mit-der-kettensaege.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Hello, my name is Johannes Altendorf. I am 32 years old and I live in Wesseling (a town situated between Cologne and Bonn).

After a carpenter apprenticeship I looked for a challenge in a forest enterprise. Today I am self-employed in garden and landscape conservation, major problem cutting trees.

I became interested in carving with a chain saw when I watched a colleague demonstrating it at an exhibition. This is how I became a chain saw addict some eight years ago.

Federal State: North Rhine - Westphalia

I'm Alexander Nelles, 34 years old and I live in the beautiful Eifel in Nürburgring.

As a forestry-engeneer with some years of professional experience, I'm well used to chainsaw-handling. Nowadays I'm not longer in the forestry-engeneering, but I'm still very attached to all kind of woodcraft.

I do my carvings since 10 years as a hobby. I do carve various themes. Hither and tither I demonstrate my carving at Christmasmarkets and Carving-events.

I should be very happy if you will visit my website.

Website: www.eifeler-holzkunst.de

Federal State: Rhineland-Palatinate

My real name is Holger Rübsam, but as a kid everybody called me "Rübe". It's under that name that I produce semi-professional pictures and woodcarvings. I'm 38 years old and live with my wife and two nice kids in the village of Nordschwaben near to Rheinfelden.
My real profession is electronic-process-engineer. You can find more about me and my pieces at www.ruebeonline.de

Website: www.ruebeonline.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

My name is Harald Kuhnt, I live in Ingelheim (Rhine) and I am 37 years old.

I started carving 3,5 years ago, before that time I did graffiti and other painting techniques. I even combined painting and woodcarving with an interesting symbiosis as a result. I will show this on the occasion of the carving event in Wolfach.

Besides the enthusiasm for techniques I am interested in all other forms of plastic arts, no matter which material is used.

Website: www.malitz-one.de

Federal State: Rhineland-Palatinate

My name is Alexander Meier, I am 37 years old and I come from Rinteln near Hannover.
By profession I work in steel building. I carve with the chain saw since 2009. I started with bears, then owls and faces. My biggest project was a bear - 2,30 m tall.

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My name is Markus Wößner, I am 37 years old and I come from Kenzingen. I am a forestry engineer, employed at the city of Herbolzheim.

Two years ago, I discovered that creative working with the chain saw compensates wonderfully the daily work in the forest. I always liked painting and by means of carving I was able to translate two-dimensional thing to three-dimensional ones.

I enjoy passing my time in the garden, where is also my place to carve and where my hens enjoy their fine lives. Carving and my two dogs ensure that my live is never boring.

I look forward to meeting other carvers and people at this event, and above all to carving, carving, carving …

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Country: Ukraine

I was born in Germany not too long ago, with parents from Belgium and England, and spent some time on an English speaking RAF base. Maybe it was this international theme of my childhood that started my passion for travelling and discovering new places.

After an initial career step as an electrician I decided to up sticks and travel round the world. After spending some very inspirational times with native aborigines I returned to Germany to train as a Waldorf woodwork teacher, preferring to work with more natural materials than before.

Now I've left most of the teaching behind me and for the last 11 years have moved to the Cotswolds (Stroud, Gloucestershire) to build up my business and develop my passion for chainsaw carving.

Website: www.artby.info

Country: England

I'm Carsten Schmidt and I'm 42 years old. I live together with my wife Anja and our children André and Franziska in the beautiful smal town Thüle in the district Oldenburger Münsterland.

I had a professional training as a dough-designer (baker), but nowadays I earn my daily bread as a professionally in the army as a military driving-instructor.

I practice chainsawcarving since 2000 as a physical compensation at my profession. I do it semi-professinal-artistically.

Website: www.chainsawcarving.repage6.de

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My name is Stefan Kiesewetter, I'm was born in 1971 and live in Heber, a district of Schneverdingen in the area of Lüneburger Heide. I'm married, have two children and a 30 kilo 'Quadraped'.

My profession is an electrical mechanic and I'm an employee at Airbus for 14 years. In my everyday job I job I needed more than my normal office activities and it was due to a good acquaintance that I came in contact with woodcarving.
I'm carving since 2007 and when my family, home and garden let me have the time to do it.

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My Name is Andreas Köpf but only a few people know me with this name. I always been and will be Andy. My wife Geli and I have two great boys with the age of 11 and 14.

My job-related career I started as a carpenter but now I work since more than 20 years at the logistic of a half-inferior engine builder.

The carving I found like so many others because of making the firewood. But I am a bloody layman at the Chainsaw carving because I started chainsaw carving in September 2010.

If somebody want to know more about me , please visit my website and write something in the guestbook.

Website: http://www.schnitzerle.repage3.de/

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

I'm Jan Krause, born in Soltau 03.06.1969. Together with my wife and our 12 years old daughter we live at Schneverdingen, district Heber near the Lüneburger Heide.

My main work is engineer at Airbus Enterprise in Hamburg, where I construct cockpits in the type Airbus 380. I am also a professional cabinet-maker and run a small cabinet-factory.

I started chainsawcarving in 2005, purely as a hobby.

Website: www.der-grobmotoriker.de

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My name is Thomas Meyer, 43 years. I live in Pfalzgrafenweiler-Edelweiler.

I had training at Daimler Chrysler in Sindelfingen as a fine-metal-technician and now I'm an industrial engineer in installation and development of prototypes.

I like all kind of woodcraft like constructing and restoration of wooden furniture. I have been chainsaw carving for 7 years now.

Website: www.holzsägekunst-meyer.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Hi I'm a 43 year old self employed Carpenter, I live in Bedfordshire, UK.
Among my loves are my 3 lovely daughters (Jodi, Tia & Mae), art, culture, drawing, DJ'ing and making music.

I have always enjoyed working with wood and carving it, combines my love of art. A chainsaw it's a great tool for creating something from my imagination to reality (very quickly!) and the different techniques that can be used to give different finishes/effects. I would love to carve full time.

Really looking forward to travelling to different countries and events this year, with a good friend and meeting new ones. Let the adventures begin...

Country: England

Hello,
My name is Andreas Burrichter, I am 44 years old, married and I have one daughter. I live in Werlte (Emsland, a district in Lower Saxony). I am a master carpenter, working in an educational institution in Leer (Eastern Friesland).

Only somewhat more than a year ago my friend Carsten Schmidt infected me with the „carving virus“.

Up to now, due to my neighbours I do not exercise myself in carving too often. But this will change now as I have a new place to saw and will be able to let creativity and loudness take their course.

Besides carving I do mountain biking and ride my motorbike or just do something with my family.

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My name is Jürgen Echle, I am 43 years old, married and I have two girls, aged 4 and 7.
I come from Bad Peterstal and for not quite 28 years I work as a machine operator, formerly in the company owned saw mill.

Website: www.motorsaegeschnitzer.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Hallo carvers and guests!

I'm Bertram Bilger, from the year 1967 and live in Lahr in the Beautiful Blackwood. My real profession is Master in Metal-Industry.
Since 13 years I run a smal independant business in restoring and retailing antique furniture. I make construct lightobjects and repair abandoned accessories.

Six years ago I made a further step and began chainsawcarving with a lot of fun and success. There will be almost not any day without my saw at hand.

My slogan: 100% chainsaw - "no handcarving - no powertools". Website: www.bilger2000.eu

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

My name is Michael Hess.

I'm working as a lumberjack since 22 years and I love my job. Once I tried chainsaw carving and I couldn't stop. It's amazing to create lots of different sculptures and it makes a lot of fun.

Website: www.baum-schnitzer.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Freelance artist, born 1968 in Kiel.

I now work in Lower Saxony 40 km south of Hamburg, in the beautiful Luneburg Heath.

Why I am an artist? I must do it!!

I need the creativity and challenge in working with different materials.

I love round and curved shapes, smooth and structured surfaces.

My sculptures are made of stone and wood and intended to be touched.

Art is the creation of an idea with a result that cannot be repeated.

Many-facetted and always different.

Not everyone must be pleased with the result.

Website: www.atelier-sylvia-itzen.de

Federal State: Lower Saxony

My name is Alfred Heeks, I am 45 years old and I live with my wife and our two children in Kranenburg, where the river Rhine runs to Holland.

I am a master craftsman in engine building and work with a company building packing machines.

As many others I came to chain saw carving by making firewood. I started with making mushrooms and hearts, and then I made a bench all of a piece – everything without having carving equipment.

It started 3 years ago on the occasion of an open day at a chain saw retailer when the idea of chain saw carving was planted into my head. There was a demonstration of wood works and also a chain saw artist (Shapoor Engineer) showed his work. Back at home I took my saw and made first attempts. I tried again and again for weeks and finally the first respectable sculptures were created. They became better after taking a basic course in wood carving and I receive more and more inquiries for my pieces since that time.

I have attended some carving events as guest. There was an event in Holland with a lot of top artists in autumn 2010 where I had the opportunity to show my skills – I think I did it quite well.

Most of my spare time I spent with chain saw carving. Every new sculpture is a challenge. If the result does not meet my demands the first time I try again and again just until I am satisfied.

I never was artistically creative – except the art lessons at school. However, working with the chain saw compensates my job where I work mostly with metal.

Federal State: North Rhine-Westphalia

Hi, my name is Olli(Oliver) Schulz , born 1966 and live in Sinzig-Löhndorf.

After 20 years working as a carpenter I had to try something new because of my health. I first used a Chainsaw and started by learning by doing. I carve everything I like to, from classic to up-to-date but everything I make is only with Chainsaw no chisels.

Website:www.creative-holzarbeiten.de

Federal State: Rhineland-Palatinate

I`m Aleksandar Miljkovic, born 24.5.1964 in Zemun, Serbia. I Live in Ljubanje, a nice mouintain village in Serbia.

Sculpting is what I do, and chainsaw is most powerful wooden sculpting tool.
This event is great chance to make sculpture, and meet with many chainsaw sculptors.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/amiljkovic

Country: Serbia

My name is Niels Ejnar Petersen, I am 47 years old (at the time of the event) and I have been carving for the last 15 years.

I live in Denmark with my family. I am a forester and teaching forestry at a vocational school and carve in my spare time.

I have been to events and competitions in Steinbeck Germany (3 times), Vaassen Holland (2 times), Reedsport Oregon USA (2 times), Ocean Shores USA, English Open, Carve Carrbridge Scotland, Rigdway Rendezvous Pensylvania USA (3 times).
I have been the organizer of a couple of competitions in Denmark.

I have been following your event and think its a great event you are putting together and I'd like to be a part of it and to visit yor lovely part of the country.

Website: www.saveniels.dk

Country: Denmark

My name is Bernd Messemer, I'm 48 years old, married, with two daughters and I live in the Pfalz, more precisely in the town of Wörth am Rhein. My job is Industrial mechanic at Daimler-Chrysler in Wörth, so professionally speaking there is no relation with wood or timber but much more with metal and off-the-road-vehicles.

Six years ago I began chainsaw carving, ever since I spend a great deal of my time with this hobby and work many hours at my carving spot. Because I live directly at the Bienforest I have plenty of wood to hand. I prefer oak, one of the best and durable species of wood in our region. For sculpture projects I prefer animals.

If you want to know more about me and my carving, please visit my website.

Website: www.saege-art.de

Federal State: Rhineland-Palatinate

My name is Harald Maier. I was born in 1962 in Oberried in the Black Forest and got professional training for master-pavior.
I began chainsaw carving 19 years ago but had to stop that because I was so busy with my job. In 1996 I started again and since 8 years I'm professionally carving in the summer, while in the winter I am operating the ski-lift.

Furthermore, I am also a father of 5 kids. My hobbies: my family, chainsawcarving, painting (acryl, watercolour and poker work) and restoring stone-made coats of arms with mosaics.

Website: www.chainsaw-carving-schwarzwald.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

I am Alfred Müller, living now in Hessia. I am born in 1960 – an old boy, but with the chain in my hand I feel young. I do carving for seven years, but I never have enough time to do. However, whenever I have time I do carving.

I plan to build a gallery in my home exclusively for carving and my art hobby. I you happen to be in my region just ring my bell and if I am at home I offer coffee and a place to stay over, in case driving home is no longer possible.

Website: www.meoangelo.de

Federal State: Hessen

My name is Richard Austin. I am from Wales but now I live in the New Forest in the south of England . I studied art graphic design and illustration. I have been chainsaw carving for ten years. I really enjoy working with wood and chainsaws. I also like travelling to chainsaw carving events in other countries and meeting other chainsaw carvers to talk about chainsaws and carving and exchange ideas (and drink beer ! ! )

Homepage: http://web.mac.com/richardaustin1

Land: Wales

My name is Bertold Schillinger and I am 51 years old and I live in Renchen-Ulm. I am a plumber/installer.

I discovered wood carving when I was about to make firewood. Before Christmas we had nothing for the Advent season in front of the house, so I sawed an angel and took it home. My daughter welcomed me with the words “Daddy, have you made this woman?” This touched me very much and I was motivated. Since then I carve more and more.

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

Carving is my hobby from my youngest years. I show my work on many different occasions, amongst other things in 1983 in the district museum in Gorzowie Wielkopolskim – in this competition I won the second price in the category functional carving with my work “The Old Couple”. I took part in the exposition “plastic arts” of the archaeological museum of Wroclaw for amateur carvers in 1986. The State Museum of Ethnography exhibited my sculptures at the exhibition “Tradition und Gegenwart der Polnischen Heimatkunst”. I was awarded prices for handmade artistic folk art in The Museum of Ethnography in Ochli in the voivodeship Zielonagora in the years 1988, 1992, 1997 and 2000.

At present, I attend carving events in Poland and abroad, which are organized privately or officially.

I regard carving with the saw as a form of rapid carving, making results immediately visible – and giving me satisfaction and pleasure.

I feel qualified mastering these heavy, not ordinary tools for carving, sometimes with very delicate carving elements.

Land: Polen

I was born in 1959 in Oberhausen and when I was 10 I finally arrived – after some stops – in the district Wesermarsch (Lower Saxony).

I do chain sawing since 1996, because the material wood always fascinated me.
I take part in carving competitions and sculpture symposia in whole Germany since 2000.

International competitions at home and abroad since 2005.
Independent wood sculptor since 2005.
I bought a train station (built 1914) in 2009 and since then I am about to restore it, in order that working and living is under one roof.

I do sculptures, light and sound objects and installations. However, I do not pursue mass production, my sculptures are always uniques. Originally, I started with painting and drawing – however, I was bothered that I only could work two-dimensional and that I only could hint at the third dimension. The special feature of wood is that not only the third dimension, but also the fourth dimension can be worked in in the form of transitoriness.

Website: www.kettensaegekunst.de

Federal State: Lower Saxony

I am Marc Struyf, a 54 year young tree worker, living in Schilde, north of Antwerp, Belgium.

I started carving four years ago: a tree had to be cut down and I wanted to save a piece, the soul of it. I made a sculpture, thus giving this piece another life in another shape.

Website: www.art-of-nature.be

Country: Belgium

My name is Dick Tilley. I'm 55 years young and established in 2002. My carving business, Spirits of Wood.com is located in Irchester Country Park, Northamptonshire in England.

I warmly welcome you to the world of Spirits Of Wood! Here you will see many woodsculpures which will stimulate your imagination!

My relationship with wood and the fascination for it started at an early age and was the reason that I allways had to do something with wood in my profession. I worked as a tree-surgeon, woodcarver, artist and sculptor.

Website: www.spiritsofwood.com

Country: England

My name is Meinolf Zavelberg. I was born in 1956, am married, no kids. My profession is Forestry-engineer in the town of Cologne.

I like to travel, which I do frequently to Canada, Alaska and the USA, this is where I picked up chainsaw carving which I have been doing for 6 years now.

Website: www.schnitz-art.de

Federal State: Nordrhein - Westfalen

My name is Ricardo Villacis and I live in Schwäbish Hall (Baden-Württemberg).
I was born in Quito-Ecuador the 10-th of August 1952.

I'm already a sculptot since 1970. Professionally I used the chainsaw for a long time only to do the heavy-duty blocking. Since three years I also participate "officially" in chainsawcontests and -events and I have to admit that handling the chainsaw gives me a lot of fun!

Website: www.ricardo-villacis.de

Federal State: Baden-Württemberg

I'm Bernd Schumacher, 62 years old. I live in Schwerte, Nordrhein - Westfalen. I had a professional training as a cabinet-maker and certified wood- and industrial technician, as well as a ships-carpenter. Finally I'm also a certified mediator.

Nowadays I'm a free-lance artist, practicing chainsaw carving and projects with schools and youngsters.

Website: www.woodkatter.de

Federal State: Nordrhein - Westfalen

My name is Alf Skaneby, creator of the largest park of sculptures in Europe. This forest of trolls, called Trollskogen, you will find at Hundfjället near Sälen - a famous Ski resort in the Swedisch mountains. There are more than 600 objects in a living world of trolls and animals, who can speak, sing and play. There are 43 audio stations with 74 sounds.

My work: - 100% chainsaw - no handcarving - no powertools.

I am musician from birth, but also a text-writer and drama-producer. I am too old, but my head is as young as ever, married to Tina with two daughters. We live in Beddingestrand, close to Trelleborg, at the very south of Sweden.

I have sculptured with chainsaw since 1977, which keeps me busy most of the time.

See my website for more pictures!

Website: www.swedetroll.com

Country: Sweden