About the Art
More about
Mirthful Creations!
Rachael Mirth is a professional wood sculptor known for creating large-scale, meaningful masterpieces that capture movement, emotion, and story. Her work is rooted in intention. Each sculpture is designed not just to be admired, but to be felt.
Originally working in the fast-paced world of small, inventory-style chainsaw carvings, Rachael built her foundation through years of hands-on experience selling and refining her craft. Over time, her artistic vision evolved. She stepped away from volume production to focus her energy on museum-quality centerpiece sculptures; works that inspire awe, invite connection, and live in the thousands-of-dollars fine art space.
Her specialty lies in vibrant aquatic themes, inspired by the very fish carving that first sparked her passion. She also explores human form, expression, and other creatures found in nature, always striving to create pieces that feel alive with motion and symbolism.
Every masterpiece is carved with deliberate care and mirthful energy. From intricate detailing and thoughtful sanding to vibrant paintwork, Rachael considers meaning, movement, perspective, silhouette, symbolism, structural integrity, and long-term maintenance. With proper care, her sculptures are built to endure for decades. Lasting works of art meant to be cherished.
Rachael has competed in over a dozen carving competitions and continues to seek out challenges that sharpen her artistry, connect her with the global carving community, and inspire creative and unique masterpieces. Her first competition in April 2024 resulted in a first-place finish among 30 talented carvers. Since then, she has been carefully selected to compete in prestigious international events and is excited to expand her horizons overseas in the coming years.
Get to know
the Woman behind the Saw!
the Artist,
Rachael Mirth
Rachael Mirth’s path to sculpture is a story of independence, courage, and listening closely to her calling.
Before discovering carving, Rachael was a high school teacher for two years at the very school she graduated from in Kansas City, Kansas. She embarked on a deeply personal transformation, losing 120 pounds and traveling to Alaska in search of purpose. She has always been fiercely independent, driven, and excited for what the future holds. She prayed, experimented with different pursuits, and ultimately found her passion the day she picked up a chainsaw.
Her introduction to carving began at a craft market in Soldotna, Alaska, in August 2021, where a man’s carved salmon wall hangers captured her imagination. She received her first lesson from a carver shortly thereafter, a two-hour introduction lesson, the first time she had ever held a chainsaw. She fell in love instantly; “it was love at first carve.” After a brief apprenticeship in Arkansas and months of determined self-teaching, Rachael launched her own carving business in early 2022, selling at farmers markets in Texas, then roadside in Alaska, and she’d go on to carve and live in 15 different states, to present day. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Rachael lives an adventurous and curious life as she travels full-time in a 37-foot camper, pulled by her trusty F-250 equipped with a liftgate and ladder rack; a perfect mobile workshop for life on the road. By her side is Annie Oakley, her loyal pitbull companion and protector.
Rachael thrives on adventure. She loves exploring new places, meeting people, experimenting with arts and crafts, spending time in nature, cooking, fishing, being in the water, and finding ways to give back to every community she visits. Her lifestyle reflects her belief that art and life are inseparable; both should be lived boldly and Mirthfully
Fun Facts!
• Rachael has lived and carved in 15 different states over four years, staying anywhere from two weeks to five months at a time.
• She graduated high school with an associate’s degree and was the first student in her county (and possibly her state) to achieve that milestone.
• The word mirth is her real last name and means joyfulness and laughter; a value she intentionally embodies in her life and work.
• Rachael didn’t consider herself an artist until she first began carving with a chainsaw at age 24.
• She chooses her travel destinations each year using a carefully crafted equation that blends weather, customer demand, carving goals, events, deliveries, and sometimes simply intuition. While joking, this is still true!
• Her first competition win came in April 2024, where she took first place among 30 carvers.
• She attends competitions not only to compete, but to stay connected with her carving community and continually challenge herself.