Chainsaw Artist Ray Murphy

While in the MDI, Acadia, Bar Harbor, Downeast Maine area don't miss one of the most unique, genuine, original, folk artist in the world. Ray E. Murphy, the originator of chainsaw artwork created his first chainsaw artwork in 1953 when he was only 10. He sawed messages for his brother into blocks of fire wood and faces on fence post. Fifty years or so later, he has sawed over 53,000 chainsaw art items! Ray is now in Hancock,Maine performing his stage show in the summer and sawing inventory during the winter.

In his show "the World's Number One Chainsaw Sawyer Art Stage Show" Chainsaw Sawywer Artist Ray Murphy has become famous for his unique performances such as sawing 16 numbers on a toothpick or sawing 50 numbers on one side of a pop cycle stick and the alphabet on the other side. Or sawing two sculptures at the same time by using a chainsaw in each hand.

The Bar Harbor Insider and friends recently ran into Ray at his Hancock headquarters and chatted about the upcoming 2008 tourist season. He said that recently he had been contacted by David Lettermen's people looking to bring him on T.V. to demonstrate his chainsaw artistry. But Ray turned him down. The only place in the world where you can see his amazing show is right here behind bullet-proof glass at his stage show. You can see his work all over the world for example at the St. Augustine Ripley's believe it or Not Museum they have and exhibit of letters carved on a pencil with a chainsaw by Ray "Wild Mountain Man" Murphy but only in Hancock Maine can you actually see the artist at work.

He also made it very clear the his artwork is created ONLY with chainsaws not like some other artists who use carving and sanding tools.

Luckily we were able to snap a picture of one of his impressive eagle statues before it was hauled off to be delivered a collector's house.


More about Ray Murphy:
Ray's Official Website
Listen to an NPR story on Ray
Featured in the book Art of Chainsaw Carving


Chainsaw Sawyer Art Stage Show Info:

Address:
734 U.S.Highway 1, Hancock, ME [Show Map]

Directions:
5 miles East of Ellsworth, U.S.Highway 1.

Admission:
$10, under 10 yrs free.

Hours:
Summer. Opens mid June.

Email raynemily@downeast.net for show times.