I view creative, spiritual and utilitarian use of bone and shell as deeply tied to the human quest for understanding life, death and our reliance on other life for survival. Most well known as traditional work of whalers, sailors and hunters, scrimshaw is the art of carving and/or etching bone and shell. There are misconceptions about the legality of the art itself due to legal limitations concerning the use of elephant and whale ivory, tortoise shell and other materials. Laws vary by state and country and are subject to change. I create my etchings by hand on bones from domesticated water buffalo, cow and lamb sourced from local markets and farms or verified vendors. I also use Tagua nut, shell, and occasionally plastic. I do not work with antiques, ivory, tusk, horn or teeth.
