A very interesting commission came my way recently; a young man from Virginia wrote " I've gotten very involved in recent years in therapeutic horse-back riding through my church in recent years.  Our group is called H.I.S., or Horses in Service.  It's been very beneficial to me." Micah went on to say that he would like me to create a scrimshaw work of him and Chester...

And so I did; here is the 3-key scrimshaw; he emailed to me the following note:  

Since I couldn't manage to get the second picture in the first blog, here it is.

A Message from Peter Driscoll: The John Skau Project Sent: 3/22/2010 9:02:30 PM

In November of last year a invitation came across the email highways, inviting us artists to participate in what sounded like a very unusual exhibit called "John Skau's Wood: A Point of Departure." It came from a Greensboro Gallery, "Bricolage: A community arts space offering re-purposed materials for creative projects, workshops & gathering space, 716 West Market Street, Greensboro NC  27401."  Briefly, artists and photographers were invited to participate in a two-tiered event. Photographers were first to pick up wood (donated by John's widow) which had been left in the studio of John Skau, a woodworker who died in 2007, photograph it in any way they wanted, and then return the wood, intact, to Bricolage. Artists were then invited to pick up the same wood, combine it with their "medium," using at least 50% of Skau's wood in their design and create an original work of art. This culminated in one of the most unusual Gallery Openings I've ever heard of, or had the pleasure to attend, on March 5th, 2009, at Gallery B, 520 S. Elm Street in Greensboro, NC. Approximately a dozen photographers and 25 artists participated, and the photography of the wood, and quality of art exhibited was... well, outstanding! To explore this event in greater detail: www.bricolagearts.org. My two entries are  "55" is the arched piece, laminated  wood measuring about 15" across the base, with antique Ivory piano keys laminated to its' surface, and "Off the Wall", 4' wide by 2" Maple veneer strips, 5' long by 1-1/2" Black Walnut veneer strips, interwoven.
The pieces are in Greensboro at the moment; the wall hanging is at Gallery B, and "55" at the Hemphill Branch Public Library. Pictures will also be available on my blog, the gods of cyberspace being cooperative.

This scrimshaw is the most "spiritual" piece I've ever done. Almost all of the artists I know responded to the 9-11 bombings in 2001 in some way with their art; this was mine. It's based on a eulogy I heard once... it was called "Fair Thee Well to the Other Side."

   Can you believe it - another year has passed, and another calendar to be filled with... what? What will this year, this new decade bring to us? I write this with acute awareness of the disaster happening now in Haiti, and the realization of how tenuous life can be, and how thankful we must remember to be for our many blessings, and opportunities.

   If the first few weeks of the new year are any indication, my life this year will be busy creating art, and being involved in many community, family, professional and faith-based activities. Allow me to tell you (briefly) about some of them. 

   Community first: I've been having a wonderful time being artist-in-residence in Davie County, where I reside. Teaching the history and the how-to of scrimshaw in six schools so far has given me a whole other appreciation for what teacher in elementary and middle schools do! What a delight its been; the kids are just wonderful! Their attention to what I'm saying is just super, and their questions are excellent, and sometimes hilareous. And there are seven schools to go. (www.daviearts.org)

   Jo and I are looking forward to traveling back to Milwaukee (my home town) this June for the wedding of our Grandson, Jason, a wise young man not to get married in February. It'll be a wonderful reunion, I'm sure.

   I'm the Vice President of our Muddy River Arts Association this year, and that entails being program chairman. I've chosen a program series called "Art as seen throught the eyes of..." and filled in all of the blanks. How greatful I am for all of the speakers who said yes to my request to present their vision with us. (www.muddyriverart.org)

   At Centenary United Methodist Church, we have a most excellent Faith and Arts Ministry that does so much for both our congregation and the Winston-Salem region (www.centenary@w-s.org). I'm chairman of the Visual Arts Committee, and find terrific help from committee members in our task of producing quarterly fine art exhibitions in our church building. There are more than 80 artists on our mailing list! Thanks Team!

   My scrimshaw work is finding its way into five galleries at present, and my goal for the year is to have representation in five more. I attended a fine workshop in Charlotte on Saturday, January 16. It was presented by Jason Horejs of Scottsdale, Arizona, and it dealt with gallery representation issues, and selling more art. This could be fun! Is there a gallery near you that you might feel would be a good "fit" with my work? Let me know, and I'll see if I can successfully approach them, using Jason's tips.

   Last item - I promise! Jo and I were invited to a meeting of the Mocksville Women's Club meeting on Wednesday, January 13. Needless to say, I had a ball! I presented a program on the history and practice of scrimshaw - and they applauded at the end! As I said at the beginning of my talk, seldom have I heard of so few doing so much for so many - they are a great group of women. Thanks to Sidniee Suggs, Director, Davie County Arts Council for the invitation!
   
   The Commercial: For my latest, check out this link:  www.communityartscafe.com/gallery/members/pdriscoll. (I just learned that the links will be easier to open if you  download the html version). I must give credit to the Gallery of the Arts for a great job in putting this together - be sure to visit their website at www.communityartscafe.com.  Thanks!

I was honored to present a Workshop and Scrimshaw demonstration at the bi-monthly meeting of the NC Knifemakers' Guild, held at the home and shop of VP Bob Hamm in Hendersonville, NC on July 18, 2009. This was a one day event, and it was really a wonderful day, and educationally as well. The 25 members gathered in the morning to begin making a custom knife; each member was asked to do a part of the manufacturing process - truly a "hands on" experience. The craftsmanship was amazing, and the knife was completed in just a little over four hours!  Completed, that is, except for my scrimshaw on the Micarta (a man-made ivory) handle. I now have a whole new appreciation of the artisans who create these beautiful works of art; the knives are too aesthetically pleasing to be called simply,"knives."

After a friendly lunch and a short business meeting, it was time for me to get down to work. I was asked to present a short talk on the Original American Art of Scrimshaw, do an engraving on the new knife, and also direct the members in producing their own piece of Scrimshaw on a piece of Micarta. For a group of brand new scrimshanders, the results were varied and remarkable; congratulations to all!

Following my talk about Whalers and Whaling, and the origin of the Art of Scrimshaw, I began to make my scrimshaw on the newly completed knife. I decided to do a mountain scene, appropriate to the Appalachian site of the meeting. After laying out the scene in pencil, I began to engrave. This gave the guild members an opportunity to observe what they would be doing. After my scrimshaw was about 1/3 done, I stopped and gave each man tools and instructions on how to do their own scrimshaw. They began, silent and focused. The result of the completed works was amazing: 25 first time scrimshaws which each member took home, and a custom knife which will be auctioned off at the next guild meeting.

An Aside: if you have not been to Hendersonville recently (this was Jo, my wife's, and my first visit), and are fond of the movement to renovate and renew urban downtowns, a visit to Hendersonville is suggested; it's located about 20 miles south of Asheville on I-26. I have followed and been involved in urban development for many, many years, and this is one of the most I've ever seen. On Saturday evening, after the day's events, we arrived downtown at about 6PM, and the "joint was jumping."  Young (!) and old, and in-betweens filled the streets. We enjoyed a great selection of restaurants and art galleries - many open! - and numerous, interesting shops. "Wow," is all we could say.

That's all for now, friends; thank you for visiting my site - I'm continuing to add new pieces, and preparing for the next events, a Winston-Salem exhibition called "ArtsFest" September 26. Following ArtsFest the Crozet Art Festival will be held near Charlottesville, VA October 10-11; this will be my first time doing this juried show, and I expect great things there!

Thanks for your patronage!

Pete

I created this piece of art for my Grandson's Graduation from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he earned a BS degree in Computer Science. The scrimshaw, engraved on an antique Ivory piano key, is affixed to a computer circuit board, and the assembly then placed in a deep shadow-box frame.

I have source for these circuit boards, should you be interested in placing a special order for your 'puter guru!

I am thrilled and honored to be appointed "Artist in Residence" for Davie County, North Carolina for the school year 2009-2010. The Arts Council of Davie County (www.daviearts.org), where I reside, has asked me to serve in this position, and I have gladly accepted. My duties will include presenting my art of scrimshaw to all of the entire Davie school system, K through 12. There are 6 Elementary schools, grades K-5; 3 Middle Schools, grades 6-8; 1 High school, and 1 Early College High school.

This is so exciting, to share the history of this Original American Art Form with so many children who most likely have never heard of scrimshaw. I will also demonstrate the art of scrimshaw by doing an actual engraving as part of each presentation.

I am looking forward to this opportunity to expand the knowledge of scrimshaw.

    I was one of five artists chosen to do a live demonstration of my art at a "Quick Draw" event at the 2009 Winston-Salem, NC Heart Ball, a benefit fot the American Heart Association and the Winston-Salem Heart Society. A "Quick Draw" event is one in which each artist agrees to start and finish a piece of original art in approximately one hour! Each piece is then auctioned off at a live auction, with the proceeds donated to the charity.

   My scrimshaw, "The Charles W. Morgan" was engraved on an oval piece of antique Ivory, measuring 3-3/4" high by 1-3/4" wide, matted, framed, backed and, with certificate of authenticity and serial number duly attached (finished in 1 hour 15 minutes), and presented to the approximately 350 people in attendance.  

   Of course as luck would have it, when my piece came up for auction I was in the Gentlemens' Room, but emerged in time to hear the auctioneer begin. With MY heart in my throat I was thrilled to hear the final bid reach $400.00 for this worthwhile cause!

   It was a great evening, one which my wife and I both enjoyed immensely.

Associated Artists of Winston-Salem presented a marketing workshop for artists who wish to self-promote their art. The workshop was held on Friday, April 17, 2009 from noon to 1 PM at the Gallery at 301 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC.  Approximately 20 people attended! 

The agenda included topics including setting goals, making a plan, writing a business plan, preparing Press Releases, Internet Marketing, and exhibiting at Art Shows and Exhibitions. For a copy of the complete agenda contact the author.

www.associatedartists.org