Wavra, whose chainsaw carving prowess is “100%” self-taught, said those early creations were mostly wind spirits, classic carvings of men with long, windblown beards and wizard-like faces. He mostly made carvings for himself and friends, but as word got out, Wavra says, he “kept getting busier and busier.” Joe Wavra stands by his carving of a trapper that he says is one of his favorites on Monday, May 24, in the gallery of his shop in Red Lake Falls, Minn. Wavra has gained notoriety across the region for his chainsaw carving creations. (Photo/ Brad Dokken, Grand Forks Herald) “It’s hard to tell people no,” Wavra said. “You work all day and work all night. I had to make up my mind whether I wanted to do it” full time.