Transposed
Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative is proud to host Transposed. This show is an invitation to see the early stages of a multi generational collaboration between scrimshaw artist Kim McClelland and printmaker and Core Member, Noelle Shearer. McClelland’s scrimshaw engravings are reimagined as intaglio prints through Shearer’s solar plate images and writing.
What is scrimshaw? Historically, scrimshaw is an engraving art indigenous to America. Sailors on board whaling ships “scrimmed” designs on whale teeth and bones using a sharp tool. Ink or oil and soot were then rubbed into the cuts and wiped away to reveal the incised image. This is Kim McClelland’s primary technique of making art outside of pen and ink drawings, which translate well to scrimshaw.
“Hummer” by Kay McClelland, Scrimshaw
Transposed
A Collaborative Exhibition by Kim McClelland and Noelle Shearer
on view June-August 2025
Please join Noelle and Kim for the opening reception, Saturday, June 28th, 2025 3-5pm
At Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative
243 N. Fifth St.Suite 140 Columbus, Ohio 43215
Hallway Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
About the Artist
Kim McClelland- is the co-owner of Tree of Life Art Works with his wife Katherine, creating original scrimshaw since 1976. Even as a child, Kim loved drawing pen and ink imagery which helped prepare him for the detail scrimshaw requires. After finishing his art degree, Kim first discovered scrimshaw by making their wedding rings from antique piano keys. Working with organic materials such as shed antlers and fossil ivories dating back thousands of years, plus sculptural-casting resins, their process insures each hand-cast resin ART WORK has the exact fidelity of the original. No endangered animals visit their art studio. Katherine and Kim draw on their imagination, faith and life experience when designing new pieces as well as suggestions from their faithful patrons. Find their incredible work here.
Noelle Shearer-is a Core Member at Phoenix Rising Printmaking, who has been working with the solar plate method for about a year and a half now to “transpose” the scrimshaw drawings of her father into the new medium of printmaking. Noelle grew up helping her father with his business travelling around to different art shows and now does the same with her own business, Bestow which specializes in leather and brass jewelry as well as leather and mixed media works of art. Noelle creates with intention, love and care in every step of her art making process. She loves making unique and affordable items that brings a smile or flash of confidence to her clients. Noelle LOVES giving (and receiving) thoughtful gifts. “It’s a tangible expression of love to find a gift that really captures the essence of someone else. We all want to feel seen and known, and the best gifts do just that.” Find her amazing work here.
Kim McClelland and Noelle Shearer
Noelle’s work in the drying rack
Scrimshaw piece by McClelland
Print by Noelle Shearer