need info on how to begin carving a tree

Don,
I carve tree's all the time as everyone on this board know's and I have answered this questions on several occasions you might want to check back on previous threads or contact me by email on what you want to know specifically. Or log onto my web site and ask in my guest book what ever you prefer. I would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Colin

[owlhause]

Hey Colin,
I stumbled onto a website called 'The George Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving'
They were offering a four day class and it included a new chainsaw which you keep for 1,200$
I've been thinking about trying chainsaw carving myself.
What do you think of that price for a four day class?
Also,for someone who has been carving for years, do you think a class is needed?
Would a good book on the subject be enough?

Just curious what you thought.

Greg

Greg,
Just got back from a three day show 200,000 people and the weather was hot but had a great time lots of people interested in my carvings and if I get 10% of the people that want there tree's carved I will be carving in a snowmobile suit in February . I just checked out the web page you mentioned and I dont think any course is worth that much. I also looked at his work and I would never put down a fellow carver but I attend a lot of these chainsaw carving show and checking his home page he is a very amature carver in comparison to the guys I know. That is an an extreamly high priced course. I could take a two day course one on one with Pete Ryan in Hope BC for a lot less money and he is a professional I will send you his site to look at. There are many good chainsaw carving books on the market that give you a step by step instruction with pictures. I dont do a lot of chainsaw carving I start with one but always revert back to hammer and chisel because I like the detail. What I do know is that the only way to get good at chainsaw carving is practice. So my suggestion is to take a small bear or santa or fact similar and try to copy it in a larger scale with the chainsaw. What a lot of people dont know is that most chainsaw carver just rough it out with the chainsaw then switch to die grinder, sanders, sandblasting etc. to get the finished result. I would suggest you try it your self even if it does include a chainsaw the site does not say what kind it is and you can buy a good Stihl chainsaw with a carving blade for around $250.00 US so I think the course is very expensive.
Hope this has helped.
Colin

Opps sorry Greg I forgot Pete Ryans web page :-[
Here it is let me know what you think this guy is a real down to earth good guy and a fabulous carver.
http://www.thewoodcarver.ca/
Colin

[owlhause]

Wow! Thats an amazing website!

Makes me want too try it and not try it at the same time!

Thanks for the info. I thought that sounded a little steep for a 4 day course.

Greg