Meet the Man Behind the Chainsaw at Jolly and Aurelius

Maybe you saw it, too. Seeing a man with a chainsaw carving a bear at the Ingham County Fair is not abnormal. Seeing the same thing on a plot of grass at the corner of Jolly and Aurelius in Lansing, Michigan, on an overcast 53-degree day in May = Huh?

As you can see, that's exactly what I saw:

I had questions, so I pulled over and approached the man holding a chainsaw slowly, hoping I could outrun him if I startled him.

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Fortunately, Kris Kaleta is used to being approached while carving various animals into blocks of wood. He's been passionate about it since he was 24, broke, with nothing but a chainsaw and a need to give his brother a birthday gift. So, logically, he used a chainsaw to carve a mushroom, and the rest is history.

Kaleta said that in the last two years, his desire to carve professionally with a chainsaw has led him to compete in events in Pennsylvania, an experience he said allowed him to learn from some of the best chainsaw-wielding artists in the world.

His display and demonstration at the corner of Jolly and Aurelius featured a giraffe, an eagle, a turtle, and several bears. As you can see from the picture above, he was in the process of making another when we talked.

I asked what his favorite piece was, and he explained that at a festival, the block of wood he'd received wasn't the best, but for some reason, he saw a squid. He was awfully proud of that carving that would sell for $200.

Hey, I just met the guy, but based on what I saw and stalking Kaleta's Instagram, he's got some talent. He's currently selling his pieces so he can buy a car and get a permanent place to live.

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If you need a bear for your bathroom, an eagle for your den, or a poolside octopus, give Kaleta a call at 616-813-0755. You can also try to catch him at the corner of Jolly and Aurelius. Just approach cautiously; the man's got a chainsaw.