Jason Smathers, born in Chehalis, Washington June 8, 1977 to the late Arlene and Daniel (Mtn. Dan) Smathers. He started carving in 2002 after his dad, the late Daniel Smathers (Mtn. Dan) showed him how to block out his first bear. He tried his hand at it, finished the bear, sold it, and he was hooked. His carving business was off and on during the start up phase for about 5 years in Washington. He would carve every spare moment he had. He started carving full time, and running his own carving business shortly after the birth of his son Carver Daniel Smathers in April 2007. He ran his carving business, and participated in carving competitions in Washington state for ten years. In 2017, he moved from Washington state to the mountains of Western North Carolina. This move was to continue his carving business, and the legacy of chainsaw carving his late father (Mtn. Dan) started. He’s carved here in WNC for the past eight years full time. He’s carved many sculptures, especially bears, for tourists, locals, and part time residents in the Lake Toxaway, NC community. He has also carved several sculptures for donation to support local causes to include: raffles for medical expenses, dog auctions, etc. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hiking, gardening, engineering/building other structures such as chicken coops, firewood racks, and most of all playing paintball!

Favorite Sculpture to Carve:

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Competitions Carved:
Reedsport, Oregon
Sand & Sawdust, Ocean Shores, WA
Sedrowooley, WA
Eagle Fest, Arlington, WA
**Award and Placement in each Competition**