In early 1995, Mark Tyoe, who has lived in Salisbury,  NY since 1978, was in desperate need of a secure, reliable income  for his family. He had been employed for 6 years by General Electric's aerospace division, at which time the company moved it's manufacturing out of the country. He then proceeded to receive an  Associates Degree in Welding Technology through a grant reserved for  GE's dislocated employees. Though this opportunity provided Mark and his family a means of income, work was sporadic.

While in the Lake George area, Mark admired the  creativity of a local chainsaw artist. Amazed at the potential  income from this unusual art form, he decided to invest his last bit  of unemployment and purchase the required bars used to create these  sculptures. Mark, being a natural born artist with talents ranging from singer/songwriter and musician of several instruments, to drawing and painting, felt compelled to apply this gift to carving with a chainsaw. His very first art show, taking place near the Hudson River, rendered him over $1000 in sales....and the rest is  history!

Upon entering his first Northeast Chainsaw Carving competition in 1996, Mark was awarded 1st place at the novice level. The competition allows 9 hours for each carver to complete their sculpture. The 1997 & 1998 season earned him First Place in the  Professional Division, competing against carvers with 10-20 years more experience.

In September of 2000, Mark competed in Pennsylvania at the Mid-Atlantic Chainsaw Carving Championship. The competition was  based on the same principals as the Northeast Championship, being  the host to 11 carvers from various states. Mark was awarded First  Place in the Carver's Vote category; Second Place in the Judges Vote category; and First Place in the speed carving event held on  Saturday; rendering him overall Top Prize winner and Champ! In June 2003, Mark won first place at the Extreme Power Championships held  in Pennsylvania.

Mark continues to express his talents through the tip  of a chainsaw. Mark is a sought after talent and major draw at  numerous grand openings, county/state fairs, and other annual events. People gather at the sound of the saw, wanting to see what the log will become. Watching at amazement to see the masterpiece  sculpture that seemed to be hiding inside the wood.

Presently you can find his chainsaw sculptures throughout the country. People have traveled from California,  Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Canada to locate him. His reputation for the realism of Northeast Wildlife precedes him, revealing his breathtaking ability to maintain true to form sculptures. He has also advanced several levels during his 10 years of carving, always taking care never to compromise the true  art form of Chainsaw sculpture. He uses no other tool to carve, with  the amazement on the faces of all who watch him perform his art.

The Adirondack Mountains are famous for their  depiction of Black Forest Carvings; consisting of Hall trees,  Umbrella Stands, and Bear Benches. Mark has expressed a desire to do  his own version of these famous collectable pieces. At present, he has only completed a few, which have sold immediately. His Bear, Moose, and Deer head mounts have also been winners in the hearts of  fine art collectors. Currently custom carved headboards, benches, mantels and wall hangings have also joined in popularity.

Wintergreen Knoll Chainsaw Sculptures is a home based  family affair, with Mark's wife, Linda, doing all of the finish work on the sculptures. Mark states that Linda brings the carvings to life. They have two sons, Casey-21, working on his bachelors degree in telecommunications; and Brandon-19, a high end mechanic at an Audi dealership. Casey is his parent’s web designer and maintains the site for them (www.salisburywebdesign.com).

Mark had the honor of being asked in 2000 to join a  very exclusive team of chainsaw artists called Masters of the Chainsaw, owned by Brian & Jen Ruth of Pennsylvania. The group performs live carving demonstrations for various events. The carvers travel across the country, wherever they are needed, but  Mark stays closer to home and joined the group with these stipulations. "I'm a homebody and a family man, and don't want to be  traveling constantly."

Then in June 2001, Mark & Linda found a much neglected building had gone up for sale, one they had admired for  years while traveling to the Adirondacks.  They purchased the property and have made it their diamond in the rough…slowly  transforming it into the dream they envision.  Open from  Memorial Day through Christmas…travelers from far and near stop to catch Mark in action, or to see what new works of art are available  for purchase.

In September 2002, Mark fell victim to his family’s  unfortunate genetic heart disease, and at age 42 underwent major  open heart surgery.  Thankfully with the advancement of modern  technology and with Mark’s otherwise good health and strength…he is “better than ever” and feels that this milestone has not only saved his life, but increased the quality and length of his life.

Some of this year’s opportunities have been extremely rewarding  for Mark as an artist… Commissioned to do a pair of amazing 9 ft  bears for a beautiful getaway in the Pocono Preserve; performing for Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain Grand Openings; along with  setting a Masters of the Chainsaw record auction sale at the  Delaware County Fair in NY.