Lumber master: Chainsaw artists carve out reputations

Pat Holbert has been honing his chainsaw art skills for more than 20 years. He and fellow sculptor, Jack Riese, create detailed pieces at the woodshop just outside of Dalton.

American Indians are a favorite for the retired American history teacher to carve.

PHOTOS BY DREW HUGLAND | DGKN

DALTON Bears, raccoons, eagles, owls and even some people fill Pat Holbert’s workspace. They all speak to him. Just not in a way one may imagine.
Actually, they spoke to him long before they were carved out of wood.
The 68-year-old retired Dalton High School teacher sees an old tree stump differently than the rest of us.
“You can see that Indian in that log there don’t you?” Pat Holbert asks pointing to a large untouched log – with bark and all – standing upright just outside of his Dalton area woodshop.

Read the complete story in the Feb. 12, 2020 edition.