Chainsaw Sculptor

Book excerpt: In the ponderosa pines of central Oregon, J. Chester "Skip" Armstrong carves breathtaking eagles and other finely crafted animals. His choice of materials and methods of creating shape, texture, and detail have much in common with both regional vernacular western chainsaw art and delicately tooled wood sculpture. This fascinating book explores the processes of creativity, raises questions about the differences between folk art and fine art, and captures Armstrong's unique aesthetic sensibilities, his outlook on life, his surroundings, and his growing reputation.