Scrimshaw - A Beginners hands on experience

We live in the land of Scrimshaw !  What a better place to learn the skill !  It is an historical art form of scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory.  In this workshop, we will learn the basic application of pin carved scrimshaw on bone (most scrimshaw beginners work with cow bone, as it is relatively inexpensive to work with, and legal to use.)  The process is not difficult, however a confidence in drawing is helpful...We will begin by doing a simple piece on small polymer ovals to practice.  When we've gained confidence, we will begin a traditional piece, using designs provided for you to transfer onto your bone or if you have your own designs, please feel free to bring them 1"x3".  You will have a choice of a beveled rectangles of cow bone to use.  You may also bring in your own bone if you have it and would prefer.  Typically scrimshaw refers to the artwork created by whalers, engraved on the by-products of whales, such as bones or cartilage. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses.   

Karen Charbonneau Zukas is a graduate of Tufts university and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with a master’s degree in education from Western New England University and was a pupil of Barnet Rubenstein (pupil of Oscar Kokoshka).  She is a recognized portrait painter and potter and former columnist for the Bulletin in Boston.  She has been teaching various subjects, primarily advanced ESL, fine art history, painting, drawing, clay and print making as well as writing, test prep, debate and humanities; at universities, preparatory, public, private and international schools and community ed in Boston for over 35 years and now locally.  She and her family moved back to the south coast in 2013.  She is the proprietor of Peasantware Pottery in New Bedford and the founder of The New Bedford Art and Cultural Emporium at Kilburn !