chainsaw carving history trip
Donation protected
My name is Steve Backus
I am a second generation chainsaw carver. Son of the early pioneer chainsaw carver, Judy McVay, who raised her three children as a self employed chainsaw carving artist in the logging country of Western Washington state. It was the early 1970's. A land of big trees and dreams, and Judy was surrounded by all the prejudice of the era.
A single woman raising her kids, not all that unusual except for the fact that she was useing a chainsaw to make art. It was a new concept from an artists perspective, because she was in logging country, the wood was everywhere and chainsaws were just starting to get lightweight enough that people could use them around the farm or house. Chainsaws were not just for the logger anymore.
As a family we struggeled with an artist's salary. Feast or famine was normal, but because of the independance that chainsaw carving gave my mom, Judy Mcvay,[ who had taken back her maiden name at that time} she never looked back.
At the time when one is growing up and going through what all families go through to make a living and a life, one has no idea that they are involved with something that could be bigger then they realize. All of our family was wrapped around this chainsaw carving lifestyle long before it was out in the world, We thought it was normal.
Perhaps, because our family was all in it together and were early innovaters of what can only be described as a true american folk art , we shared our collective knowledge often and freely, and many knocked at the door never to be rebuffed.
Not to smart from a buisness perpective, but Judys older brother who had given her some pointers to get her started and was a fairly good chainsaw carver himself, always said that it was a" bottemless market that it could never be filled." Judgeing from the chainsaw carvers out in the world today, it must true.
This spirit of giving and sharing our gifts, has always been the legacy of my mom's hard work. To make her kids appreceiate what they have, and share it freely. It's a job that satifies ones freedom, but is still a lot of hard work.
I ask for funding here because I was invited to attend the "Huskycup" in Mulda Germany this May 8-16 2016. As a pioneer chainsaw carver that has stacked up some time in the game and influanced more then a few chainsaw carvers to give it a go, I am being honered for lasting a long time in a tough game.
If we reach our goal it would allow me to get there and back without going into debt, if we exceed our goal then another veteran family memeber gets to go.
Elder statesman would be the handle I would put on the invatation. To be there in Germany to talk and discuss chainsaw carving from my experaince of forty years doing it for pleasure and money, plus to receive a, for the lack of better word , "survivor award " but I did not do this alone.
I would be an emissary for my family who has a whopping 240 years + or minus in the chainsaw carving game
I do not believe that I should attend this event alone and want my son Boone { third generation carver}to take part in this once in a lifetime oppertunity, as well as my wife , if we can raise enough? the date draws closer and My real life interferes with this ticket purchase and time is slipping by quick!
this site was suggested so thought I would give it a go, my options are limited.
Why this means so much to me.
I know it would make my mom proud if one or more of her family could attend this fine event. It would make the journey she has made from a tough independent woman that defied the odds in a tough world to raise her kids and see them get this sort of recognition.
The thing about history is you have no idea you are even involved in most cases, because the hardest thing to do is show up and participate!
How soon do we need the money, we are less then 90 days out, so tickets need to be bought by the middle of march or before, "march12" would be a do or die date
I would be very thankful for this, have always paid it forward and never asked for anything so this is not easy, once again thankyou.
Sincerly
Steve Backus.
I am a second generation chainsaw carver. Son of the early pioneer chainsaw carver, Judy McVay, who raised her three children as a self employed chainsaw carving artist in the logging country of Western Washington state. It was the early 1970's. A land of big trees and dreams, and Judy was surrounded by all the prejudice of the era.
A single woman raising her kids, not all that unusual except for the fact that she was useing a chainsaw to make art. It was a new concept from an artists perspective, because she was in logging country, the wood was everywhere and chainsaws were just starting to get lightweight enough that people could use them around the farm or house. Chainsaws were not just for the logger anymore.
As a family we struggeled with an artist's salary. Feast or famine was normal, but because of the independance that chainsaw carving gave my mom, Judy Mcvay,[ who had taken back her maiden name at that time} she never looked back.
At the time when one is growing up and going through what all families go through to make a living and a life, one has no idea that they are involved with something that could be bigger then they realize. All of our family was wrapped around this chainsaw carving lifestyle long before it was out in the world, We thought it was normal.
Perhaps, because our family was all in it together and were early innovaters of what can only be described as a true american folk art , we shared our collective knowledge often and freely, and many knocked at the door never to be rebuffed.
Not to smart from a buisness perpective, but Judys older brother who had given her some pointers to get her started and was a fairly good chainsaw carver himself, always said that it was a" bottemless market that it could never be filled." Judgeing from the chainsaw carvers out in the world today, it must true.
This spirit of giving and sharing our gifts, has always been the legacy of my mom's hard work. To make her kids appreceiate what they have, and share it freely. It's a job that satifies ones freedom, but is still a lot of hard work.
I ask for funding here because I was invited to attend the "Huskycup" in Mulda Germany this May 8-16 2016. As a pioneer chainsaw carver that has stacked up some time in the game and influanced more then a few chainsaw carvers to give it a go, I am being honered for lasting a long time in a tough game.
If we reach our goal it would allow me to get there and back without going into debt, if we exceed our goal then another veteran family memeber gets to go.
Elder statesman would be the handle I would put on the invatation. To be there in Germany to talk and discuss chainsaw carving from my experaince of forty years doing it for pleasure and money, plus to receive a, for the lack of better word , "survivor award " but I did not do this alone.
I would be an emissary for my family who has a whopping 240 years + or minus in the chainsaw carving game
I do not believe that I should attend this event alone and want my son Boone { third generation carver}to take part in this once in a lifetime oppertunity, as well as my wife , if we can raise enough? the date draws closer and My real life interferes with this ticket purchase and time is slipping by quick!
this site was suggested so thought I would give it a go, my options are limited.
Why this means so much to me.
I know it would make my mom proud if one or more of her family could attend this fine event. It would make the journey she has made from a tough independent woman that defied the odds in a tough world to raise her kids and see them get this sort of recognition.
The thing about history is you have no idea you are even involved in most cases, because the hardest thing to do is show up and participate!
How soon do we need the money, we are less then 90 days out, so tickets need to be bought by the middle of march or before, "march12" would be a do or die date
I would be very thankful for this, have always paid it forward and never asked for anything so this is not easy, once again thankyou.
Sincerly
Steve Backus.
Organizer
Boone Backus
Organizer
Clinton, WA