| Ron Rodeback |
I was born and raised in a small, rural town in Northwest Ohio. During high
school, I was involved in some basic art courses that were offered. After
graduation I was on my way to basic training and spent a total of six years in
the U.S, Army. After being discharged from the military, I began working for
the Whirlpool Corporation. I completed a four year apprenticeship program
there and became a journeyman Tool and Die maker.
The majority of my career was spent working in skilled trades. About four
years ago I began to practice the art from referred to as scrimshaw.
Scrimshaw may be a term unfamiliar to many people but it is one of the only
original American art forms. This art form dates back to the mid 1700's and
was practiced by sailors in their spare time between whale hunts. They would
primarily use the teeth and bone from the whales they harvested.
I am a self-taught scrimshaw artist and also a custom knife maker. It took
many hours of trial and error to acquire the skills I've developed. I
concentrate on animals, nature, and Native American subjects. I try to add as
much detail as possible to the pieces I create, striving to make "one of a kind"
objects of art that will exceed my own expectations and high standards. I use
rare and exotic materials such as the tusk of a woolly mammoth, antler, bone,
mastodon ivory, walrus tusk, and horn in my designs. If I can incorporate
these materials as a canvas for my art or to decorate a handmade, custom
knife to obtain a very unique look, that brings me pleasure.
The majority of my work has been sold in Cherokee, North Carolina, on the
Indian Reservation. I have done several commissioned pieces for people who
have purchased my work there. I always welcome a challenge, creating
something on some form of exotic material. I am open to making scrimshaw
jewelry pieces, free standing art, and custom knives with or without scrimshaw
work decorating the handles. The possibilities are endless when it comes to a
custom knife.
school, I was involved in some basic art courses that were offered. After
graduation I was on my way to basic training and spent a total of six years in
the U.S, Army. After being discharged from the military, I began working for
the Whirlpool Corporation. I completed a four year apprenticeship program
there and became a journeyman Tool and Die maker.
The majority of my career was spent working in skilled trades. About four
years ago I began to practice the art from referred to as scrimshaw.
Scrimshaw may be a term unfamiliar to many people but it is one of the only
original American art forms. This art form dates back to the mid 1700's and
was practiced by sailors in their spare time between whale hunts. They would
primarily use the teeth and bone from the whales they harvested.
I am a self-taught scrimshaw artist and also a custom knife maker. It took
many hours of trial and error to acquire the skills I've developed. I
concentrate on animals, nature, and Native American subjects. I try to add as
much detail as possible to the pieces I create, striving to make "one of a kind"
objects of art that will exceed my own expectations and high standards. I use
rare and exotic materials such as the tusk of a woolly mammoth, antler, bone,
mastodon ivory, walrus tusk, and horn in my designs. If I can incorporate
these materials as a canvas for my art or to decorate a handmade, custom
knife to obtain a very unique look, that brings me pleasure.
The majority of my work has been sold in Cherokee, North Carolina, on the
Indian Reservation. I have done several commissioned pieces for people who
have purchased my work there. I always welcome a challenge, creating
something on some form of exotic material. I am open to making scrimshaw
jewelry pieces, free standing art, and custom knives with or without scrimshaw
work decorating the handles. The possibilities are endless when it comes to a
custom knife.
| Red-Shouldered Hawk Arrowhead Pre-banned elephant tusk ivory 2 x 1 3/8 In handpainted shadow box SOLD |
| Seahorse 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk ivory 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 mounted on sterling silver chain SOLD |
| Baby Black Bear Elk Antler mounted on oak 4 x 1 1/4 oil paints SOLD |
| Fiery Dragon Pre-banned elephant tusk ivory 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 SOLD |
| Skull 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 Sterling Silver Chain SOLD |
| Mountain Man Reverse Scrimshaw on black water buffalo horn mounted on red oak base SOLD |
| Owl Antique Ivory Arrowhead 2 x 1 1/4 In hand painted shadow box SOLD |
| Great Horned Owl Pre-banned elephant tusk ivory 2 x 1 1/2 In hand painted shadow box SOLD |
| Red-Shouldered Hawk Painted with acrylics on stained wooden box $475 |
| White Tiger Pre-banned elephant tusk ivory 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 SOLD |
| Wolf 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 On Sterling Silver Chain SOLD |
| Native American Woman 11,000 to 3.75 million year old mastodon tusk 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 $1,375 |
| Wolf on Buffalo Horn Reverse scrimshaw 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 Pendant SOLD |
| Chinese Mythology Griffin 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 3 x 2 1/2 Pendant SOLD |
| American Bald Eagle 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk SOLD |
| Tribal Cross 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 On Sterling Silver Chain SOLD |
| Wolf Scene 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 3 x 2 Mounted on knapped arrowhead with rock base SOLD |
| Bengal Tiger Manmade ivory alternative 40 mm x 30 mm Pendant SOLD |
| Hummingbird Manmade ivory alternative 40 mm x 30 mm On Sterling Silver Chain SOLD |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Scene 11,000 to 3.75 year old mastodon tusk SOLD |
| Howling Wolf Antique refurbished piano key ivory 1 1/2 x 3/4 On Sterling Silver Chain SOLD |
| Custom Knife 440c stainless steel w/satin finish 6" overall, 2 3/4" blade Handle - black micarta and fossilized dinosaur bone composite $125 |
| Custom Knife 440c stainless steel w/mirror polished blade 6 1/2 Polished buffalo horn handle w/reverse scrimshaw Grim Reaper SOLD |
| Tiger Image Pre-banned elephant tusk ivory 2 x 1 1/4 SOLD |
| Tiger Image 9,000 year old fossilized tiger tooth from Thailand 3 1/4 SOLD |
| Snow Leopard 70 year old antique ivory Ivory inlay 3 x 1 3/8 White Oak & Black Walnut base 4 1/2 x 8 $875 |
| Cherokee Warhorse 13,000 to 1.6 million year old woolly mammoth tusk 2 x 1 1/2 On polished buffalo horn backing SOLD |
