ARTWORK: Years of sailing on traditional ships, schooners and sloops led to an all-encompassing interest into the construction, maintenance and handling of traditional sailing vessels. Sailing on a replica whaler led to the study of whales and participation in whale research. I've since established my credentials as an artist of sea life and historic ship portraits in scrimshaw, drypoint engraving and carving (Free Willy II amulet). Awards include four Mystic (Seaport) Internationals. I am a signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) since 1982. My studio/gallery, Friday Harbor Art Studio, has gone into its 25th year.

Additional website: fridayharborartstudio.com

Scrimshaw is a uniquely non-native American art form born out of the New England whaling industry. I began doing custom scrimshaw 46 years ago. At that time whale's teeth had little commercial value and were even being given away. Also at that time traditional scrimshaw had been repopularized by President Kennedy who had a collection of scrimshawed whales teeth on his oval office desk. So it seemed right to decorate these magnificent teeth with engraving. I also became involved in whale conservation. Later, when ivory became controversial, I began to 'scrimshaw' copper plates which is drypoint engraving, a non-acid etching technique that dates from 1400. The engraved copper plate is used for pressing limited edition prints where each print is individually hand inked, wiped and pulled. Sometimes I hand color the print. As a professional picture framer, custom framing is available using only acid free, art conservation presentations (click on About Me for more).

Ernest K. Gann, author and aviator (1910-1991), was represented by Friday Harbor Art Studio. Ernie's oil paintings, sketches and books, some signed, are available. An Estate authorized Giclee print Winter, North Atlantic is also available as a FHAS exclusive production.