At that time, Salman was living in the Pacific Northwest. But as his skill in scrimshaw grew, he realized he would have a better chance at selling his art in New England. In 1987 he moved to Massachusetts, and has enjoyed much success ever since. His passion for the ‘art of the whalers’ has been matched by the enthusiasm of the collectors of his artwork. “Living in New England”, says Salman, “has given me the opportunity to be exposed to the oldest of U.S. history, live among the preserved ships & museums of the whaling industry, as well as seafaring vessels of pre-Industrial Revolution days. New England is inundated with these, as well as a rich variety of marine life and land wildlife, which I also portray in my art”.
Early in his career, his favorite subject was North American wildlife, which he still does with much zest and skill. But much of his strength has been his incredibly accurate rendering of historical whaling ships, and Victorian-era harbors & wharf scenes. At the 1990 Mystic International Marine Art competition, Salman was granted an Award of Excellence for his entry ‘Whaling Bark California’, scribed onto a fossilized Inuit ice axe. In 1997, he was commissioned to scrimshaw a plaque centerpiece for an Associated Press Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to Walter Cronkite.
Scrimshaw collectors may view Salman’s website, and contact him directly to discuss commissioned scrimwork, purchases, etc. Salman’s daughter plans to regularly update his website gallery pages with more images, as he completes new work. We will also add new images to his own page in our Scrimshaw Gallery.
Per Salman "I studied books and searched reference materials for two months before I started engraving this scene. I
wanted to depict the drama of whaling, and show how vulnerable the crews were, when so close to a giant bull ".
Scrimshawed fossil walrus tusk on a base of cocobola wood.
Pemaquid lighthouse
Scrimshaw on an Inuit ice axe of fossil walrus.
Recieved People's Choice Award in 2005 in Mystic Seaport national competition.
A depiction of Castle Hill Lighthouse, Newport, Rhode Island.
Winner of Black and White division of Mystic Scrimshanders'
International Competition, 2003,
where world-renowned nautical artist John Stobart was a judge.
Whaling bark in New Bedford harbor
Scrimshaw on an Inuit artifact, made of fossil walrus ivory.
Scrimshaw on an Inuit Ice Axe, made of fossil walrus ivory.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Maine .
on Mammoth ivory.
American Arctic whaler of New Bedford. Scrimshaw on fossil walrus tusk.
Scrimshaw on a matched pair antique walrus tusks.
Winner of black and white wild life in 2005 at Mystic Scrimshanders national competition
where world renown marine artist, William Gilkerson was the judge.
www.SalmanRashidi.com
for more images