Bear Hollow Woodcarver Jason Stoner poses with his latest creation.
Dean Brown | The Lima News
LIMA — Jason Stoner is a chainsaw sculptor from just south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. What began as a hobby has turned into a business.
He is a member of a team of seventeen chainsaw artists based in French Lick, Indiana — The Bear Hollow Woodcarvers. With shows beginning in April and running through December, the craftsmen share their talents throughout seventeen states performing at venues such as NASCAR races, county fairs, and even a week at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in New Mexico.
Stoner has been carving professionally for nearly ten years and seventeen years total. Bear Hollow Carvers was formed by Jason and Sidney Emmons who find artists — who “will do good work”, according to Stoner — to participate in the scheduled shows. Stoner says, “It’s a long, long fair season.” He tries to get home on occasion for a few days before he has to get back on the road.
Starting at noon, Stoner used three chainsaws with various widths, a Dremel, a wire brush and a small grinder to cut and detail the wood. Then stoner used a torch to add some color to the eagle sculpture. Finally, he sprayed the sculpture to finish, adding some gloss. Stoner completed his artwork in about 55 minutes.
Sculptures completed by the Bear Hollow Woodcarvers will be auctioned Saturday at the Allen County Fair at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandstand Plaza with proceeds to be used by the fair board.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
