A Chainsaw Artist Creates A Giant Octopus Sculpture Out Of A Discarded Redwood Stump

American chainsaw artist and woodcarver Jeffrey Michael Samudosky has been using a variety of Pacific Northwest trees to carve stunning works of art. Samudosky, a self-taught carver based in Gig Harbor, Washington, founded JMS Wood Sculpture in 1998. Samudosky has taken part in tournaments all over the world and appeared on the Discovery Channel since he began his career.

One of his most recent creations is a Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) made out of a Redwood snag, with its enormous tentacles stretching out and showing smaller details at the ends. It appears like the octopus is on top of the tree rather than being a part of it because of the way the cephalopod’s tentacles curl and twist as they move across parts that the artist left uncarved such as the entire back of the trunk.

The dead redwood trunk is skillfully turned into the enormous octopus in the photographs below, showing the growth of his effort.

The uncarved Redwood stump is pictured with the artist Jeffrey Michael Samudosky.
Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture

Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture

Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture

Long tentacles and rounded suckers are only a couple of the amazing elements that show off the sculpture’s majesty. The enormous sculpture is quite stunning; it is 14 feet long, 9 feet tall, and weighs over 3,500 pounds. It nearly seems to be swimming through the water. Redwood Burl supplied the tree trunk made of redwood. Samudosky carefully worked to carve this amazing sea monster sculpture to perfection using chainsaws of various sizes, grinders, sanding tools, dremels, and chisels.

About the American Chainsaw Artist And Woodcarver Jeffrey Michael Samudosky
Jeff was raised in Shelton, Connecticut, and attended high school there. He studied painting and photography. Following graduation, he worked as an ice climber, whitewater rafting guide, and Outward Bound instructor across the continent. Prior to becoming a chainsaw artist, Samudosky received training as an Alpine mountaineering guide in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which led to his certification as a wilderness EMT.

Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture

Unfortunately, he suffered a snowboarding accident that severely impacted his life, leaving him with a shattered back and no feeling in his legs. Nevertheless, he fully recovered and reclaimed his movement in his legs after eight months. Samudosky made the decision to face his worries and pick up snowboarding again since he is a passionate and resilient person.

He had no idea that a trip to the Vermont highlands would lead to the development of a new interest and, eventually, a full-time career. During his journey, he noticed some wood carvings by the side of the road and thought, “I could do that.” From there, he learned the art and woodworking techniques on his own, and in 1998, JMS Wood Sculpture was founded.

Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture

He may now live anywhere in the nation and travel anywhere in the world thanks to his business. Samudosky has been in the business for more than 20 years and has taken part in a wide range of activities and carving competitions across the globe.

He appeared alongside his creations in a number of TV programs, including Saw Dogs on the Discovery Channel. Recent publications have also highlighted his amazing sculptures, including Ripley’s Odd is Art and the National Geographic Kids UK Magazine.

Larger-than-life sculptures of marine and wild creatures, including horses, wolves, and eagles, are something Samudosky enjoys doing. He has sculpted bears twice his size, rams, and deep sea diving helmets in the past.

He is particularly dedicated to producing sculptures with Native American themes, in addition to marine and exotic species. Some of his pieces took as long as four years to reach the degree of perfection he was looking for.

Photo Credits – JMS Wood Sculpture