A Passion Passed Down Through Generations
Cody Stosz is a full-time professional wood and ice sculptor based in Western Massachusetts. His passion for carving began at a young age, introduced by his grandfather, who was also a carver. Learning hand carving early on helped shape not only his skills, but his deep respect for tradition, craftsmanship, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
Bold Scale. Strong Story. Skilled Execution.
Cody specializes in large-scale wood and ice carvings created with chainsaws and hand tools. His work ranges from powerful, bold outdoor sculptures to intricate ice pieces for competitions and live events. Over the years, he has earned multiple wins in both ice carving competitions and wood carving events, helping establish his reputation in the carving community. As a full-time carver, Cody focuses on custom, large-scale projects for private collectors, schools, businesses, and public works. His process typically begins with sketches and concept planning to lock in composition and storytelling before bringing the design to life in wood or ice. What makes his work unique is the combination of technical chainsaw carving skill with strong narrative elements — many of his pieces reflect themes of heritage, guardianship, and connection to family and tradition. Cody has been featured in art studios, regularly performs live carving demonstrations, and participates in fairs and events, where audiences can experience the energy and craftsmanship of chainsaw and ice carving firsthand.
The Moment It Became More Than a Hobby
“I had just finished my first carving with a chainsaw and knew I was hooked on carving. I was using a 15 year old chainsaw I had found in my garage and it was barely running. I went to Craiglist at the time to look to buy a newer used chainsaw to start my next project. There was an ad in the wanted section looking for a chainsaw carver to carve a 10 ft oak into a mother bear and 3 cubs. I reached out to them and said i could do that for them, we settled on a price and i realized then i could make a living doing this not just a hobby. Within a month I had my business licence, my logo, shirts, saws, and never looked back! That first year was tough and the hours were very long and the pay was just enough to keep the lights on and family fed but I learned fast and made a real career out of it.”
Favorite Flexcut Tools
While chainsaws handle the heavy shaping, Cody relies on Flexcut hand tools for refinement and detail work. His go-to tools include Flexcut palm gouges and detail knives, which allow him to clean up surfaces, sharpen features, and add expressive details that bring each piece to life. The comfort, edge retention, and control of Flexcut tools make them essential for transitioning from rough carving to finished sculpture with precision and confidence.
See More of Cody’s Work
