Artist Griffon Ramsey on the appeal of chainsaw carving By Steven McKenzie

BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter Published duration 3 September 2015

image copyright Griffon Ramsey image caption Texas-based artist Griffon Ramsey took up chainsaw carving in 2011

One of three women entered for Saturday's Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Championships says the art form is becoming more accessible to women.

Griffon Ramsey will join Alice Buttress, an artist from the event's home of Carrbridge, and Nanci Hemming from Wales at the competition.

One woman has won the event, which is best known as Carve Carr-Bridge.

American Ramsey said: "Although it is a niche art form, I think it has a tremendous potential for growth."

The Texas-based artist added: "Chainsaws are getting lighter and more manageable, allowing more women to participate.

"Not everyone approaches it as a competition either. There are as many ways to set up one's business as there are subjects to carve.

"I've been really impressed with the variety of ways the other carvers earn their money. Some focus on production, some on performance, as well as commissions, construction projects, competitions and sponsorships."

image copyright Griffon Ramsey image caption Ramsey's carving of Marvel character Groot

Ramsey took up chainsaw carving four years ago. Her works include carvings of Groot, a character from Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and figures from the children's book Where the Wild Things Are.

She said: "My sculpting process is largely subtractive and the idea of creation through destruction appeals to me - cutting out what doesn't need to be there to reveal the things that matter.

"Also, wood smells amazing. The longer I do it, the more I enjoy the carver lifestyle - travelling, creating and meeting other artists from all over the world."

Ramsey will be making her first appearance at the Scottish Open in the Cairngorms.

She said: "My carving friends who have been to the English Open and Carrbridge heavily recommended doing both together with a road trip in between the two.

"They always have a great time and I wanted in on the fun. So far I've really loved the energy of the carvers in the UK."

image copyright Griffon Ramsey image caption A carving of Where the Wild Things Are

Carve Carr-Bridge is now in its 13th year and draws a crowd of more than 3,000 people.

Carvers from Scotland, England, Ireland as well as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Holland, Canada and USA have entered this year's championships.

Moffat-based Pete Bowsher will be defending the title.

Last year he won the event for the second year in a row with his cowboy carving I Told You To Draw