Have you ever seen a tree stump turned into an animal, a flower basket, a family? That’s chain saw art. It takes a lot of talent and a lot of practice to become proficient in chain saw art.

There are a couple chain saw artists in my area. I think it is amazing how they turn a big ugly tree stump into an amazing work of art. I also got to see a chain saw artist at work when we vacationed in Colorado. The artist specialized in bears. He made bears large and small out of logs. Some were small enough to hold or sit on a table and some were more than 6 feet tall. A perfect greeting for visitors at your front porch.

Mr. Randy Boni – Artistry Since 1989

Boni, a renowned artist is commissioned by commercial, public, and private property owners around the country to sculpt dying or damaged trees into highly recognized landmarks. Using primarily a chainsaw, Boni is recognized as one of the highest regarded chainsaw artist in the world.
Boni has always depended on wood for his livelihood and has a deep respect for trees, touching conservation, proper forest management, and safeguarding nature, not destroying it. “If a tree is dying or has to be taken down, I feel I’m preserving some beauty and more importantly the remembrance of the tree with my carvings,” he stated.
Boni, a Pennsylvania native resides in the Allegheny National Forest where the wildlife such as deer, bear, elk, lend Boni realistic references for his wildlife nature reflections in his very unique landmarks. Boni said carving involves three basic stages: block out, meaning the cutting away of the large chunks of wood to get the general shape of the subject, boasting, means to define the muscles and fine features of the subject, and he notes, “boasting takes years of study,” and lastly, detail means to add the fine delicate attributes of the subject such as fins, fur, and feathers.
Boni denies attributing his three dimensional and skills of proportion to his blindness endured for over 30 years of his young life. “My twin brother and I were born with a hereditary condition known as cataracts. We just could not see well enough to play ball, read, drive a car, or fit in with other kids all that easily.” Boni states that he would often do things by himself including drawing, carving soap, sculpting clay, and using his hand to ’see’ dimensional form. Eye surgery on both eyes allowed Randy to see the world for the first time when he was in his mid 30’s. “The very first thing I did after my surgery was run out to East Branch Dam. I wanted to see the cable stretched across the water. Before everyone used to say to me, ‘you mean you can’t see that cable?’ After my surgery, I could see it, along with the shakes on a house instead of a blur, the veins in a leaf, instead of a pallet of green. I am a fortunate man,” states Boni.
Boni has always worked with his hands and wood. After high school he took position with Weyerhaeuser Company, making doors and sliced veneer. Working with the company 10 years until the plant closed. He then went into carpentry, contracting and construction, building homes, garages, decks, siding and roofing. In 1989 he created a totem pole for a young student to fulfill a school project. “I was hooked. I converted my workshop into a carving studio and all these years later, I am still very happy,” said Boni.
Boni sometimes can be found in some of the country’s largest fairs and festivals. As a paid performer, his shows pull in the spectators. People of all ages will watch Boni transform a 4 foot log into a high bid sculpture. “Children as well as the young of heart will watch me for hours, it’s still amazing to me.” Boni said. Boni performs 4 shows per day, each show 45 - 60 minutes long, and completing a sculpture from start to finish each and ever show. “The shows are very demanding.
I hope for the day that I may slow down in my life to create what I think of as ‘timeless-priceless’ art”.
The artist is happy within his creative lifestyle. Although humble in his posture, he welcomes visitors and admirers when he carves. Boni sees carving as a, visual dialogue. “A sculpture speaks to people in different ways. When I see people look at a carving and then they smile, that’s my unspoken, thanks’ that I receive.”
If you would like to see some of Bonis’ landmarks, you can’t miss them. They are sprinkled all over the country offering lasting impressions to viewers. If traveling is not possible visit web site: abundance-acres.com, to view his peaceful creations nestled into their tranquil settings. “I love what I do, I leave something behind when I’m gone, I leave my mark - if you will,” said Boni, as he unknowingly carves his legacy one landmark at a time.