The 'power' of art Chainsaw carving festival strikes it big By Minx McCloud The Packet Group Friday, Oct. 15, 1999 In a small gazebo, artist Jennifer Katzman of Manville painted wooden statues with oil colors.   Greg Napolitan of Frenchtown deftly wielded a heavy chainsaw. He began with an upright mulberry log and after awhile, amid a flurry of wood chips, the rough figure of a bird of prey had emerged from "captivity." He said he has reached the point where he can complete a piece in a few hours. It was the second annual Chainsaw Art Festival at Oak Park Firewood and Patio Center in Hillsborough, held last weekend, with more than 500 people attending to view, touch and buy objets d'art created with chainsaws. Bob Schultz, owner of Oak Park, said he wants to make the annual festival "a really big event each year." "It's really neat, and it certainly is different," he said. This year, four carvers participated in the demonstrations, and artwork by five additional artists was on display. The carved figures came in all sizes — some painted, others left in their natural state. About 22 pieces were created during the festival, and more than 60 others were brought in. "It was the biggest accumulation of chainsaw art that I've ever seen," Mr. Schultz said. "We trucked the work in from all parts of the East Coast to display and sell at the festival. We also keep a lot of pieces on hand throughout the year." Randy Boni of Ridgeway, Pa., has been producing chainsaw art, specializing in wildlife, for more than 10 years. He brought several pieces done by him and his twin, brother Rick. Both carve full time. "I decided I wanted to create my own 18-foot totem pole," he said. "It took me about six weeks because I was just learning how to do it, but after that, I was hooked." Mr. Boni estimates that he has created "hundreds — no thousands" of figures over the years. In a small gazebo, artist Jennifer Katzman of Manville painted wooden statues with oil colors. Gentle pastels blended with brighter hues in a carving of an American Indian. Sculpted feathers alive with color seemed to tremble in the afternoon breeze. "I've been painting since I was very young," said Ms. Katzman, who specializes in murals and crafts and has participated at the festival both years. "I enjoy doing this. These works were cured and treated with linseed oil. They have to sit for about a week before I can paint them." She can paint a large carving in a few hours. Maria McNally of Hillsborough strolled throughout the grounds, marveling at what she saw. "I love watching the artistry," she said. "They create such beautiful work with such a powerful tool. I could never do anything like this, even with the finest set of carving tools." Mr. Schultz also has tried his hand at creating chainsaw art. "I did one to see if I had anything in me," he said. "I did a mushroom, which is about the easiest thing to do. I'm going to try it again when I find the time." Lately, Mr. Schultz has been expanding his business on Route 206. He hopes to eventually have a studio of his own in which to work. "I've been cutting logs and selling firewood for 20 years, so I'm into the 'chainsaw community' — loggers, treemen, woodsmen," he said. "That's how I discovered this sort of art. I really got turned on to the work by Randy and Rick Boni." He is also a fan of chainsaw artist Mark Toy from Salisbury, N.Y. "He makes the greatest bears," Mr. Schultz said. "He's a new superstar. They call him 'The Bear King.' " Besides offering a chance to see these artists at work, this year's festival also included a petting zoo, face-painting, pony rides and barbecued ribs served by Bobby B's Best in BBQ of Somerville. "We're already planning next year's festival," Mr. Schultz said. "We would have had a lot more people this year if it hadn't rained, so next year we're having a much bigger tent."