BLOG | Anger and chainsaws unleashed Paul Frenette's inner artist

By Now or Never host Trevor Dineen

Last week, I didn't know chainsaw art was a thing. I thought paintbrushes were for painting, pencils cornered the market on drawing, and saws made of chains were strictly used for '80s horror movies and cutting down trees.

And then I met Paul Frenette. 

He's an artist of the chainsawing variety from Ontario, and he's really good. When I met him at Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, he was carving an eight-foot-tall tree trunk into a beautiful aquatic scene, complete with large pikes, mini bass and seaweed. Each section was intricately detailed and blended seamlessly with the next. 

In comparison, the week before I used scissors to try and cut some Valentine's Day cards for my son to hand out at daycare. I cut my hand, ruined two cards and not one piece of cardboard resembled a heart.
 
Score one for Paul. 

Now, if you're wondering "how good is he?" I could ramble off some credentials like, you know, he's toured around the world with his chainsaws carving amazing sculptures, he's been on HGTV's Carver Kings and he's also been showcased on OLN and Discovery's Saw Dogs.

Or I could just show you some pictures.

This is the part where I feel the need to remind you that this was all done with a CHAINSAW. 

And my favourite part about this whole thing is that he's a former computer analyst. I bet you didn't see that coming.

So, how does a computer analyst become the Michelangelo of maple?

Anger. 

A cement statue was stolen from his lawn, and instead of buying a new one, he decided to try and carve one himself, using a gas-powered saw, made solely out of chains.

And the rest — years of practicing, studying, working at his craft, and learning techniques — is chainsaw carving history. 

Now, if you need me, I still have two more Valentine's day cards to finish cutting out. And a chainsaw to buy.