Chainsaw art turns into a family business | Arts & Culture

Click on the video above to watch a January 2010 KVAL.com story about the Strauslins

From a press release

Father and son team of local Eugene artists, Kevin and Tyler Strauslin, work together building a local business with their craft on a shoestring budget. 

Their passion for the art form and their love of being able to work together as a team, keep them striving forward, determined to make the business work.  Kevin has been in business at his location at 89970 Hwy 99, Eugene just North of Jerry's for over three years now, and his son Tyler, then 17, joined in the business after the first year.  

This art form seems to come natural to both of them and the quality of their work continues to get better and better!  They have been told by many pro carvers that they are producing better quality pieces in the first few years than anyone they have seen. 

Their shop on Hwy 99 continues to expand and consists of a gallery/show room with a viewing window where you can watch the chainsaw artists at work with reduced sound and dust.  Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Every piece they create is hand-crafted with chainsaws, grinders, chisels, routers and sanders and range from cute unique gifts to 10 ft tall sculptures. 

The benches, chairs and tables built only out of 1, 2 or 3 separate pieces of wood are incredibly solid structures and they have beds for the rustic cabin look. 

They have rocking bears and snails for the little ones to ride, water features, swinging bears and other sculptures for the yard, all sorts of signs and plaques for inside or out, unique affordable gifts such as bears, squirrels, turtles, frogs, fish, dogs, cats, eagles, pigs, etc.  Then there are the elaborate sculptures worthy of a gallery setting or fancy show piece for the home.  

The finish they use is suitable for outside as it is the same finish they use for log cabins yet has the sheen of a varnished look. 

The pieces will last a long time outside with occasional re-application of the finish.

Kevin has competed in the Reedsport Chainsaw competition for two years now, placing 4th  in 2009 and 5th in 2010 in the semi-pro division, and Tyler competed for the first time last year, placing 4th in 2010.  

This year, in 2011, Kevin will be competing as a Pro carver, and Tyler hopes to have a chance at winning in the Semi-pro division.  The competition begins Thursday and ends Sunday if Father’s Day Weekend so it’s a special time for a father and son team to compete together.

See their website to get an idea of the scope of their artistic talent at http://www.oregon3dart.com/.