Category: Artists

Halloween Scrimshaw?

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Jason R. Webb's scrimshaw on an ivory piece before inking

Jason R. Webb has been hard at work creating more masterful scrimshaw.  His subject? Skeletons! Perfect for this time of the year, and any time if you need a real challenge.  The piece we’re focusing on is some old ivory piece he polished the back of, and has scrimmed the entire picture before putting down the ink.  This technique does two things:

  • It allows the artist to create extremely fine lines that would lose their ink if subsequent inkings and rubbings were done (every time you rub away the ink you run the risk of compressing the ivory, especially if you have to rub hard)
  • The ivory has less of a chance to become stained or saturated by multiple inkings.

It is a painstaking technique I have not mastered, but seeing Jason’s work makes me want to try at least one or two in order to see how well it comes out.  Jason uses an OptiVISOR and a plain “twisty” type compact fluorescent as a light source, along with a couple of Coulter Precision tools.  (see this page for full size pics).

 

Belle Ochs – Florida Scrimshaw Artist

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Belle Ochs' Lion PortraitBelle Ochs and her husband Charles live in Florida and create beautiful scrimshaw and custom knives respectively.  Belle has been scrimming for over thirty years, and the detail is that of a practiced hand.  Creating wildlife, native American portraits and more on both pre-embargo ivory and mammoth ivory, her work is beautiful.  She doesn’t appear to shy away from the challenge of ancient ivory, incorporating it’s timeless beauty into her works of art and jewelry.  Her site can be seen at http://www.scrimshawworks.com/index.htm, while her husband’s knives can be seen at http://www.oxforge.com/

Michael Cohen Site Update

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

 

Scrimshawed harbor scene by Michael Cohen with a ship setting sail and people waving from the dock
Harbor Scene by Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen, a longtime scrimshaw artist has recently updated his site.  His work includes Ships, Mermaids, Native Americans, Fantasy, Wildlife, Pin-Ups and more.  He works mainly on mammoth ivory and the detail is amazing. He was employed by the Alaska Silver and Ivory Company in Bellingham, Washington back in 1973 when there was a renewed interest in scrimshaw that lasted until the 1980’s, then became a freelance artist to this day.

Michael also does custom scrimshaw on request.  Please visit the sites below for inquiries on custom scrimshaw.

The pricing for his work is a real bargain for collectors and non-collectors alike.  You can see and purchase some of his work at this site:

http://lizsumner.com/mcscrimshaw/

Working in scrimshaw and other mediums, Michael’s main site is:

http://michaelcohenart.com/

Scrimshaw Techniques by Jim Stevens

Scrimshaw Techniques by Jim Stevens

Posted on by Andrew

Scrimshaw Techniques: With Gallery of Contemporary Artists

 

Jim Steven’s guide is a dazzling showcase of this uniquely American art form. The pages are filled with tips, techniques, and insights that both educate and demonstrate the steps to creating authentic and beautiful scrimshaw. An examination of ivory includes a wide range of alternative natural and man-made ivory substitutes, including bone, horn, and nuts. Over 200 color photos, this step-by-step guide addresses scrimshaw tools, patterns, inking, and inlays.

scrimshaw-techniques-jim-stevensJim’s second book “Advanced Scrimshaw Techniques” delves advanced-scrimshaw-techniques-jim-stevensdeeper into scrimshaw techniques including color scrimshaw, using power tools, ivory carving with hand and power tools, and practices in the care, conservation, repair, and restoration of ivory scrimshaw objects.