Meet the Carvers
Ice Carving Sponsored by:
Ryan Cook
The Judge on The Discovery Channel TV show “A Cut Above”, Ryan has been chainsaw carving full time for the last 12 years. He began his carving career on the TV Show “Saw Dogs” by being cast as “the Apprentice”; he was an actor who never carved a day in his life until that show. Ryan quickly found his passion for it and then dedicated his life to the craft. Flash forward 3 years, he turned pro, winning many competitions and then became one of the main cast members on the HGTV show “Carver Kings”, little brother to Timber Kings. Over the years Ryan has also appeared on the Netflix shows “Virgin River & Big Timber”
Ryan has become one of the most recognized faces in the carving world; He is constantly trying to progress the craft. You can find him weekly on YouTube putting out content on his page @Ryancookcarvin to inspire and influence
Ryan Chainsaw Carves full time out of Vancouver, BC. He has been carving ice for the last 8 years.
Ryan is the first Canadian to be sponsored by Echo Canada, Cannon Bars, Makita Power Tools, Arbortech, Saburrtooth & Pfanner. He is also an influencer for Dremel and the owner of Saw Valley Carvings Inc. www.sawvalley.com.
Ryan spends all year around traveling and carving all over Canada and the world doing Wood & Ice.
To follow his daily life and join the fun scan this QR Code
David Ducharme
David Ducharme attended the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson BC from 1992-1995, studying stone sculpting, ceramics, metal and jewelry. Later, his artistic interest was sparked by the potential offered in sculpting sand, ice, and snow. The inherent properties of these materials allow the carver to render an idea quickly on a monumental scale.
In 2003, David participated in the World Championship of Sand Sculpture in Harrison BC and received 2nd place in the solo category, and 1st place in the doubles category. This event was pivotal in his artistic development and opened the doors of international sand and ice competitions and commissions to him. Since then, he has traveled the world participating in sand, ice and snow sculpting events and festivals in Canada, Hong-Kong, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan and a dozen other countries. Sand and ice sculpting have become a bridge for David to work with other media like concrete and wood.
“In my figurative work, I hope to capture the essence, simplicity or intensity of a moment, bringing it to life. I hope to share with the world an appreciation for beauty, as well as everyday reality” - David Ducharme.
Dmitrii Klimenko
In 2004 Dmitrii received his master’s degree from Saint Petersburg State Academy of Industrial Art and Design, Department of Monumental arts. Dmitrii has taken part in international festivals of ice and sand sculpture in Japan, Russia, Canada, USA, Kuwait, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Holland, Poland and Latvia.
Dmitrii also works with ice bronze and wood.
“I always thought the sculpture was a kind of beautiful art for the ages. Something very serious for the museums and squares. I never expected the great joy I would find in stepping away from an academic way of thinking.” Dmitrii Klimenko
In 2001 Dmitrii was asked to replace a colleague slated to participate in an ice contest in Saint Petersburg. This unexpected opportunity allowed Dmitrii to discover a new way of working.
“Once I started I instantly loved working with this material. That shapes and forms and amazing play with light and air captured my consciousness. Every time I push the limits of ice I discover new ways to play with it. Ice provides never-ending possibilities to grow that’s why I am always happy to work with this amazing media."
"Each sculpture unique and temporary. Each project is a new challenge and I don’t think I will ever stop working with ice."
Kevin Lewis
Kevin Lewis was born and raised in the Comox Valley. He was given his first chainsaw at age 11. Kevin began logging and falling at 16. He has been a chainsaw wood carver since 1996. He started ice carving in 2017 at Fort St. John’s High on Ice festival, and has been in love with ice ever since.
His career has allowed him to carve across Canada, and he has been recognized for his talent as a fine art ice and wood carver.
Kevin can create any creature his imagination allows, and specializes in fantasy art and wildlife art. He has carved wood, ice, antler, ivory, and bone.
Kevin is known as the West coast chainsaw artist, as well as Uncle Kevin Carves on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/UncleKevinCarves. He has an outdoor art gallery nestled alongside the Brown’s river in Courtenay, BC Vancouver Island, which is one of the Comox Valley best kept secrets. If you visit his studio you can take walk around the gardens and forested pathways, where you will see Kevin Lewis’ spectacular chainsaw carvings. As you enjoy your stroll through the grounds, you will see wildlife, fantasy and a variety of functional art sculptures.
When he is not at his gallery, Kevin can be seen carving at exhibitions, fairs, and other events across Canada, transforming wood or ice into art.
Kevin enjoys the challenge of carving ice in spectacular places, such as Fort St. John, BC, Mackenzie, BC and Lake Louise, BC
Susanne Ruseler
Susanne Ruseler was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Ruseler started sculpting in 2003, while studying biology and living in Utrecht in the Netherlands.
“I discovered that I love creating sculptures and started sculpting more and more. After receiving my master’s degree in animal behavior and ecology, I started my own sculpture company working with different materials such as snow, ice, sand, clay, foam and concrete. I've been sculpting full time since 2008. I really enjoy alternating between materials. I travel all over the world working on projects, events and competitions.” Susanne Ruseler.
You can find more information about Susanne’s work at www.SusanneRuseler.com
Peter Vogelaar
Studied drawing and painting with a professional artist in Victoria 1963-65
Graduated from Kootenay School of the Arts (Nelson, BC ) with a 3 year diploma in Sculpture and Printmaking, 1976
Operated sign business in Fort St John, BC from 1978 to 1989
Coordinated 2 large mural painting projects in Fort St John in 1981 and 82 , supervising a crew of young artists to paint over 20 building sized murals. Had a number of shows featuring watercolours of rodeo scenes.. and watercolour landscapes.
Moved to Winlaw in 1990 and worked at my watercolours... as well as finding odd jobs.
Began snow sculpting in 1992 and sand sculpting in 2002. Have pretty much made my living from sculpture since 2004. I have now sculpted in 19 different countries and am a respected member of ephemeral artistic community.
Commissioned to create a bronze sculpture featuring two life sized figures for placement in front of new Fort St John Speedskating arena 2010.
Commissioned to build a pigmented concrete sculpture for front of new Oil and Gas Commission offices in Fort St John in 2013.
Created a 4500 sq foot mural inside a concrete tunnel on a local rail trail in 2018.
With my participation in the Castlegar Sculpture walk for the past 14 years I have been making more permanent sculptures. I am proud to say that my piece in 2021 was co-winner of the Peoples Choice and has been purchased for permanent placement in Castlegar. In 2022 my welded sculpture, Murmuration, was Peoples Choice again. Also purchased by city.
In 2023, my sculpture, “Neptune’s Cry” won the People’s choice at a sculpturewalk in Whiterock, BC, (just south of Vancouver) and also won the top jury award. It has been purchased for display in Whiterock.
In 2024, I came 3rd in Peoples Choice Voting at the Sioux Falls Sculpturewalk with my steel sculpture, “Where the Buffalo Roam.” And my steel and mosaic piece “ Van Gogh’s Cat” was the winner of Peoples Choice in Castlegar.
Abram Waterman
Abram (Abe) Waterman, from the beautiful east coast of Canada, Prince Edward Island, has been creating artwork ever since he was old enough to eat crayons!
In his earlier works, his visual art expression was mainly through sketch and painting. However, in 2007, Abram moved into sculpting, and uses evanescent and natural elements like snow and sand. From time to time, you may also find some more permanent works by Abe done in wood and stone.
Abe has won numerous awards throughout his years of sculpting, and is a great addition to the 2025 Professional Ice Carving Team for our High on Ice Festival.