SAWDUST: The Art of Ken Packie
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- This 15 minute short documentary, gives the viewer a brief glimpse into the art of wood sculptor Ken Packie. A New Jersey native, Ken moved to Otis, Massachusetts to oversee data networks in four states. But things were about to change Ken's life forever.
After seeing a chainsaw carving exhibition, Ken was immediately taken with the art form and knew it was a path he was destined to follow. Having never used a chainsaw, Ken took a safety course and two day art course and knew he was hooked. After several years of practice, Ken decided to show his work on weekends outside the Otis General Store. 'I was immediately swamped with work. My wife told me, if you don't try, you won't know. So I quit the day job and here we are'.
During the course of this film, Ken transforms an eight foot white pine log, into a stunning display of a mother black bear resting in a log, with her cub nestled on her backside.
Along the way Ken describes the process of cutting, chiseling and burning the log before the final sculpture is oiled and painted.
Looking upon the completed carving, Ken tells the audience that 'I've taken something that was alive and given it a second life as a new form.'
Winner: Audience Choice, Short Documentary 2015 Praxis Film Festival.
Official Selection 2014 Williamstown Film Festival.
copyright 2014 Leo W. Mahoney
Visit Ken here:
www.berkshiremtnsculpture.com
So awesome to meet you today Ken! Great work
You certainly made the right decision. A wonderful artist.
Thanks for the kind words.
What a beautiful piece 👍
Thanks much! Hoping to do an ne doc abut a new creation from Ken, stay tuned. Leo
I have been seen untel naw the best carwed bear is thes.
Awesome 👍
Salute from Turkey👋
What you’re doing is really impressive do you have a great heart there thanks for sharing Chainsaw Carving In and getting your blood bad.
Awsome carving
So beautiful a use of a chainsaw...
The look you give your work during and after is inspiring.
What an excellent Bio . I'm a beginner carver and always admire a craftsmen such as yourself. Wish you well . Thank you Ken
Incredible.
Thanks Ken for your detailed outline of the art of chainsaw carving. I bet an art college could benefit from your knowledge.
Absolutely incredible. What an amazing artist. His spatial abilities are top notch.
How good are you unreal respect
It is a great story 😁 , very happy for you man, what a talent you have just awesome ❤️
I was 18 yrs into union work... made life change to paint murals for a living. Not easy road but the most worthwhile! Thoroughly enjoyed watching your passion. Extremely fulfilling video.
Thank you Art, I forwarded you kind remarks to Ken.
Incredible!
I am happy for you that you found your calling, you do some amazing art
you are a true artist. your passion for the piece makes it even more special.
Like you Leo, I to was in the IT field for 35+ years. I'll be 60 in September and I've found woodworking and discovered a new passion. Your work, and passion when you talk about it, has encouraged me to go further. Thanks for sharing. I live in Indiana, that's cold enough. Don't thinks I'll be moving to New England. 😁
that old echo on the back
1 of my favorite saws to carve with.
nice work
Wow this is beautiful! I'm in love wit the grizzly bear one. Never seen one this beautiful. You are amazing!
Thank you for sharing your skills and talents. Your insite as to what makes a good composition and what gives life to the objects is simply amazing. So again,thank you!
So cool, I love your alligator. I've been carving for a while self taught I have made some cool pieces hope to be your level some day! Great documentary 👏
Thanks. I enjoyed making the short. Y
Talking to Ken about a new short, ill post it here when there is more info.
I'm in awe, that is amazing work and a very inspiring film. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
Love the video and your story .I'm getting started myself all self taught and I hope to be that good one day
So Beautiful! I am going to try too! I will try a mushroom first too! Thanks
Gob smacking amazing sculputres, The burning will seal and preserve the wood (shou sugi ban technique), the other piece on the left of the mum and bear cub looked just as fantastic. thanks for showing you working on the bears.
That is inspirational stuff,I do small hand craving but this is on a whole different level. I might look into a chainsaw class as you did Ken. Really beautiful work
I have a small piece I bought of Ken in Otis, Ma back in 2008/2009 I bought it for my grandmother and she loves it to this day.
Man this is really well done, awesome carving as well. Thank you!
That's kind of you- thanks
Great story and awesome work , very inspiring and reflecting. I'm subscribing and looking toward more videos . From Trenton , Georgia thank you .
Beautiful work. Wood carving has always been my heart and yes, there are a lot of people out there who do it, but....it takes the heart and soul to acquire THE piece. Thank you for sharing your work.
Great work!
Best wishes!
Super, Top
Wonderful work and I like your attitude about life. Thank you.
Incredible and inspiring... I went and laid in a log after this, was wonderful
What a nice reply- Thanks.
Right now Ken is driving around town with a 8 foot carved Sasquatch in the back of his pick-up.
Brada ur work is a gift,👍👍
Leo, what a great short! I drove by one day and appreciated his work (didn't know who the artist was at the time). On my way back through I stopped by and got up close and personal with some of his pieces and was quite impressed. I am even more impressed after seeing a man at work in his craft. I love how you stuck to filming and editing, because the piece is all the more fluid with Ken walking the viewer through the process. It didn't hurt that he is quite the natural on camera. Kudos to you and Ken!
Thanks for the kind words. Ken has many new works on display at his new carving pit (1/2 mile south from where he was). I saw (no pun intended) Ken the other day and he told me he's taking a break from international competition so he can focus on new designs. He was working on an incredible bench with totems on each side- very nice.
Gute Arbeit gefällt mir sehr gut vier Daumen hoch
you are just Amazing Sir wonderfull work...
Wow! i really like your work, and glad you get to do what you love.. it shows , youngster. lol ..will be watching you more. a old wood worker ...
AMAZING !!!! Thank you !!
Inspirational! But I had to laugh, bc I studied Architecture for less than 2 years and stopped, for the same reasons as you. And after 30 years I might have finally found a way to let my artistic way show
Hey I'm new at this carving I like you're work amazing I hope I can get close to that good enjoyed videos
Amazing!
I've seen quite a few carvings.but you sir are far the best.what an amazing talent.thank-you for sharing it with us. best regards.patrick in the uk.
😔😭😭😔😔😔😭😔😔😔😭😔😭😔😭😭😭😭😔😭👋😭😭😔😔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😔😭😭😔😭😔😭👋😔😔😔😭😔😔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😔😭😭😭😭😔😭😭😔😔😭😔😔😔😔😭😔😭😔😔😭😭😭😔😔😭😔😭😔😔😭😔😭😭😔😔😭😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😭😔😔😭😔😔😭😔😔😔😭😔😭😔😭👋😔😔😭😭😔😔😔😭😔😔😔😔😭😔😔😭😭😔😔😔😔😭😭😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔👋
You are just as good with the paint brush as you are with the chainsaw. this looks great. It must be hard to part with the work once its done.
I took that same 3 day class. I actually loved it - because I wanted to learn to carve. I too had never used a chainsaw. I am not nearly as good as you - and I don't mind "cartoony" carvings - but I do think that realistic carvings are totally awesome!
Nice video im trying my hand at it some now ive done a hippyface in a tree n eagle so far i like it
Great, Thanks I Look forward to that ;@)
You are and awesome carver! Your videos are in great detail and have inspired me to start carving. I have a story similar as yours. I was a network engineer in NYC for 20 years designing, building and supporting data networks and have given it up because of stress and looking to do something different. I started making log furniture several years ago and now moving on to carving. I'm carving a deer head and have "brought it to life" because of watching you at work. I like to share with you when it's complete if that's ok because of learning from you. Thanks so much! Joe
From Ken:
Wow! I'm honored. Feels great to have inspired someone enough they open up a new chapter in their life. I'd love to see what you create. Thank you!
Please tell me when you post your carving and I'll get the info to Ken.
Thanks for watching, Ken and I will be making a new carving video this fall and I''ll post it soon after.
Leo
good work
Great inspirational video.. What is your favorite chain saw and what is your less desirable modle. I am concerned with the weight of a Ms 250 .
I’ve used Stihl, Echo, and Husky. I have allot of favorites. The MS250 is a great saw . I don’t think about weight too much cause the saw is always in the wood. If you are using this saw as your detail saw (12” dime tip) it might be a bit big. Stihl has allot of smaller options for detailing
great master
So I seen your giant bear in a log with a sleeping cub on the other end 2024 May. It is very good and well done. I’d like to see how your carvings look now that eight years has past by.
When I was in high school, I was aptitude tested and tested in the 99th percentile for spatial reasoning. I'm slightly different in that I love CAD. Starting with basic shapes and then using that to sculpt impossibly complex parts. Since buying my first 3D printer, I now get the privilege of getting to hold my creations. I also whittled growing up but as a career choice, I knew the time it took me to produce a carving at a small scale wouldn't translate to an income source. Today I started chainsaw carving. Only for about an hour or two and my results weren't great, nor were my tools. I'm now shopping for a saw, carving blade and bar. The important thing to me wasn't how good my first attempt at using a chainsaw as well as carving with one was, it was the speed at which I learned the tool and how to use it to shape the wood into my vision.
I have a genetic disorder that causes sever chronic pain in my joints, chronic fatigue and sleep deprivation due to the pain as well as joint dislocations. As a result, in line with many others with this condition, I can't work a normal job. Some times I can't walk for days at a time. Some times I sleep for half an hour over two days and then have to sleep for 12-20 hours a day for a week. My sleep schedule revolves around pain, not day and night. I've lost two jobs as a result of this disorder. The first one I was undiagnosed and blamed myself. The second one I informed my employer and they fired me for reasons that were blatantly untrue and I was supported by multiple other employees.
I have no interest in attempting to find another standard structured job. For months I have been exploring options to use my spatial aptitude to break out into an income source in which I determine the hours. I think that chainsaw carving will be a good start. I have a list, but many things on the list have startup costs that are preventative to me at this stage. I got married in April to a loving, hard working, RN who thankfully understands my struggles and is an angel when it comes to helping me and accommodating me.
This is my first time seeying this kind of carving work of yours got so hooked any way you give classes
I don't think so, but I sent the question to Ken
you are the greatest ......
Очень хорошая работа, молодец, 👍
¡Benditas manos!
Cuánto talento, que hermosura, yo quisiera tener esas habilidades o por lo menos comprar un oso así de hermoso
Bravo!! It must be fate that I came across your video. I am in a transition in life. And like you, I am working to make my creations as my "Job." Be proud that you have come through and are in the light now, sorta speak.
Furthermore, a lot of the things you said, were almost exactly what I said or thought while watching, I.E. touching the face to get the "feel" and balance of the design, with the cub "just waking up" I said the samething and then you did, spooky in way but cool too!
So again, you are an inspiration and thanks for sharing. Ohh and me being from Mass. as well, curious and hope you are a New England sports fan!!!? :)
Be well, Be real, and BE YOU!!
just realized that I wrote my comment with it being directed at Ken, and not Lee, but either way thanks to you both. It struck a cord with me. Much appreciated!
I sent your kind words to Ken.
Thanks for watching, I hope to do a new story with Ken next year.
Awesome,
I'm just getting into carving. My father in law was amazing at it but he passed away right before i met my wife so i never got to know him or learn anything from him. I have a few tall stumps and wondered... do ppl carve stumps? ... or does it rot if it's still a stump
I sent you question to Ken
Hi, who was your Father In Law? I probably knew him. Most carvers carve stumps. Rot depends on what type of wood and care provided . So many variables. Allot of times I cut it free and remount it with some airflow. This severs the root system. But sun,water, bugs all come into play with any carving outside whether it’s a carved stump or freestanding sculpture.
Thank you!
A Master Craftsman
Ken sends his thanks. We are recording a carving lesson to do animal eyes in a couple weeks. Will be posted in September.
Good at it >>>>>>>> thanks
Wow outstanding work! A lot of time & effort plus heart & soul to make pieces like that. Keep up the good work my friend. Do you have a website that you display your work or peices your selling?
Thanks T.
Ken's page is:
www.berkshiremtnsculpture.com
Dude you some beautiful work I think I like about you you're not full of yourself you create from within I've been doing a lot of my carvings myself I'm in Hartford I'm up here in Brooklyn Connecticut and I lived in Florida for 20 years and I take driftwood stump Sand Creek Fish Out of sculptures Spirit faces now retired 6255 I would but I'm going to get back into my wood carving because it is a very stressful hobby to do I'll be looking forward to more videos maybe we'll hook up someday Trade Secrets
браво!!!
Wow this is amazing never seen anything like this where are you located
Ken is in Otis Massachusetts
I think the caring is great, I'm retired and would like to learn how to do this type of work. My only question is how's his hearing?
Ken's has worn ear protection since he started carving. He replied:Chaps, eye protection ,ear protection.......first thing on last thing off. Hearing is 100%
beautiful art eat sleep carve
WAY COOL ~~~~~~~
Brilliant work. What type of chainsaw is used ?
Thanks Pete. I am posting a short vid with Ken next week. I have 11 questions he will answer, yours will be one of them. Thanks for watching. Leo
Thanks leo. Tell him i said his work is brilliant and inspiring.
Thanks so much!
Here's a link to Ken answering some viewer questions. Type of saw is one of the questions.
ua-cam.com/video/p0e0FEtIDdQ/v-deo.html
Ngưỡng mộ quá..
Супер 🤝
👍👍👍👍🥇🥇🥇
i am wondering what is the tool used for making eyes?
I forwarded your question to Ken, will post reply soon- thanks.
ua-cam.com/video/p0e0FEtIDdQ/v-deo.html
from Ken:: It's a custom bit made by another carver. Google "eye tool carving" and some options will come up. It's used with a die grinder. I also use chisels.
So ken how are you been doing with the carving?,
I myself just started carving two years ago..
nice work 👍🏻
Busy thankfully! Appreciate the kind words. Carve safe!
Great story and amazing skill. I personally prefer the your work without the paint and its raw wood finish
Yeh, but alot of that helps prevent cracks in the wood / cover them up.
I like
Look at the bear at 11:46 (it"s done)
??? @ 11:46 it's done being sanded and buffed, but it's not done. The brief fade to black separates the carving section from the painting section.
Not sure what your point is... leo
Great artista. But better without painting the bear.
brasil😮😮😮😮😮😮
Amazing!