Chainsaw exhibition Bios

Justin Bailey

Calera, AL

 

Justin Bailey is one of Woodlot Artisans founders. He has been carving for over 7 years and specializes in western busts and the human figure. His wife, Heather Bailey got him into chainsaw carving while they were dating. During that time he was an Airplane Mechanic in the US Marine Corps. Many of his monumental designs have been carved on site in the Birmingham, AL area.    See website.

Heather Bailey

Calera, AL

 

Heathers mom, Grace Dowling, was the one of the first female chainsaw carvers in the early 1990’s. It was through her example that Heather was able to stick with it and eventually introduce carving to Justin while they were dating. Justin was a natural! As iron sharpens iron, they inspire each other to produce their best work every day.   See website.

Corey Lancaster

Princeton, NC

 

Corey Lancaster set out to hike the 2,180 mile Appalachian Trail in 2012 to find himself after spending four years pouring 70 hours a week into his job managing a restaurant. While hiking the trail, Corey had a realization that he was spending his time doing something that he liked, but not something he wanted to do forever. After spending six months often alone with his thoughts, he carved out a new goal, and this one involved a few chainsaws. Corey left his job in April 2013 to become a chainsaw artist and to open the Boon Hill Gallery located in Princeton North Carolina with his grandfather.   See website.

Abby Peterson

Webster, KY

 

Abby Peterson is a 37-year-old chainsaw artist who has been carving professionally since 2014.

 

Peterson carves because he loves turning wood into art. “I’ve loved working with wood my whole life. I love the challenge of making that next masterpiece, the smell, the look, and grain of the wood. I love hanging out with like-minded people. Even if I didn’t get paid for it, I’d still carve. It has been one of the great loves of my life, to take an almost worthless piece of wood and turn it into something that has life. That is why I carve.” See website.

Justin Driver

Farmington, KY

 

Justin Driver was clearing some trees from behind his house when he decided to put his artistic side to work by carving what was meant to be a wolf. Since then he has been carving for almost 5 years, always looking to improve his unique creations so that his art can match his imagination. “I get my inspiration from my kids, I want them to know that they can do anything they want and follow their dreams if they work hard and give it their all.” His wife has always been supportive and encouraging by helping him follow his dream. Now he is helping her with her dream to become a nurse.  See website.