"Mike" (real name, Michelle) has a B.A. in Art from Fontbonne College, St. Louis, Missouri, with extensive graduate studies in various mediums. Michelle also has an M.A. in Horticulture/Gardening from the University of Missouri. She owns Stone Hollow Studio, a free-lance art studio, specializing in scrimshaw. In addition, she has been employed by Missouri Botanical Garden as a Master Gardener and also teaches art workshops for various school districts and arts councils.

For twenty years this Missouri native has produced her scrimshaw works, linking her interest in American history with her degree in art. Scrimshaw is a traditional late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century folk art, originated by American sailors as a way to while away the long hours on board whaling ships of that era. Mike's scrimshaw is totally hand-done, without the use of patterns, transfers, or stencils. All designs are original and completely hand-etched in the style of the whalers. Each line is painstakingly engraved, then inked to highlight the delicately carved lines. The "environmentally-responsible" materials which Mike uses (i.e., cow-bone, deer antler, and man-made polymers) have earned her museum approval and national recognition. She was named one of the top 200 traditional craftsmen by Early American Homes magazine. Mike has shown her scrimshaw at juried art and craft shows throughout the country. Her work has been chosen for private, corporate and university art collections in the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. She is most pleased to be a Best of Missouri Hands juried artisan. Custom work is accepted; call or write for details.

Stone Hollow Scrimshaw Studio
Michelle Ochonicky
31 High Trail
Eureka, Missouri 63025

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