Jake Bray

Jake has always been interested in art. As a toddler, he would draw in 3-D - cubed. He loved painting, pencil drawing, and spray paint art. Jake took art classes for many years. He also became interested in blacksmithing and has made several knives out of railroad spikes using his homemade forge. Then one weekend at a craft fair, Jake and his Dad watched a chainsaw carver. Jake decided he wanted to give chainsaw carving a try. So at 15 years old, his dad and him bought a couple of chainsaws and specialty bars and safety equipment and started their first carving- a mushroom. Jake was hooked.  As a Junior in high school, Jake won the state Beta Club woodworking division and competed nationally In Oklahoma and placed 2nd in the nation with his owl tree. The next year- as a senior he placed state and nationally in the Beta Club with his Lion. Since then Jake, now 23, continues to design and carve his visions and demonstrates and displays his carvings at area craft festivals with his dad - Jay Bray.  His ‘Jake’ - O- Lanterns are always the biggest hit at Fall Festivals.  You can find them both on any given day in the woods behind their home in southeast Tennessee with  both their chainsaws going. They like to call it “dueling chainsaws.” You can check them out on their facebook page: Carve Away Brays.