The Art Behind the Chainsaw
Not your typical chainsaw carver. This is fine wood sculpting with an artist’s soul.
From Passion to Mastery
Three years ago, Johnny Kimball picked up a chainsaw with an artist’s intent. Based in Sandy, Oregon, at the base of Mt. Hood, he found his medium in the towering timbers of the Pacific Northwest.
What began as curiosity quickly became an obsession with detail. While many chainsaw carvers focus on speed and volume, Johnny chose a different path — one of meticulous craftsmanship, where every texture, expression, and curve matters.
His philosophy is simple: treat wood with the respect it deserves. That means staining, never painting. It means finishing every piece to withstand the relentless Pacific Northwest rain. And it means approaching every commission with the belief that art should inspire kindness.
Today, Stumptown Carving serves discerning collectors who want more than decoration — they want a statement piece that becomes a family legacy.
The Life & The Work
In the zone — chainsaw meets wood
The artist off-duty
Johnny & Barbara Rose — "beloved momma"
What Sets Us Apart
Stained, Never Painted
We celebrate the natural beauty of wood grain. Every piece is stained to enhance — never masked with paint.
Built for the Elements
Each sculpture receives premium UV and weather-resistant finishing for the Pacific Northwest climate.
Detail Obsessed
From individual fur strands to bark textures, we push chainsaw artistry into fine sculpture territory.
Carving with Kindness
Art should lift people up. Johnny mentors young artists and supports forestry education.
Meet Hanz
No visit to the Stumptown studio is complete without a greeting from Hanz — Johnny’s loyal German Shepherd/Akita mix and the inspiration behind many of our pet portrait commissions.
Hanz keeps watch over the studio, greets visitors, and serves as a constant reminder of why we do what we do: to capture the soul of the creatures we love in wood that will outlast us all.
Trajectory NW Partnership
Since Trajectory’s inception in 2022, Johnny has been deeply involved with this forestry education non-profit. Trajectory works to connect young people with the forests that sustain our communities.
Through events like the Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Carving Forest Festival, Johnny helps raise awareness and funds for the next generation of forestry stewards.
View Upcoming EventsIn the News
Selected press coverage of Johnny’s work, competitions, and community involvement.