Profile picture of Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky

Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky

About Us

About Our Art

Hello, and thank you for your interest in my scrimshaw!

Even as a child, I wanted to be an artist. In college, classical training in sculpture along with studies of world art history gave me a taste for precision, providing a three-dimensional approach to my work. In 1979, my dream of a career in art became reality as Stone Hollow Studio, LLC.

I love both history and art. Scrimshaw provides the prime link for me, finding its origins with 18th -19th century American sailors.  I use environmentally-friendly materials: primarily recycled ivory piano keys and cow bone. My work is done the old way: I sketch each piece by freehand (no patterns or stencils), painstakingly etch each line (no power machinery or patterns!), adding ink when finished. I strive for a purity of line, making each line important to the whole work. While I love traditional nautical themes for my scrimshaw, I also delight in creating precise, accurate images of plants , reminiscent of 18th century botanical studies. Animal themes round out my repertoire.

Perhaps more than other mediums, scrimshaw summons close study.  In a world bombarded by supersizing, by big, loud “stuff,” it is calming to concentrate on what is delicately wrought. The simplicity of this traditional artform appeals to me: there is no color to distract from the actual art. The viewer sees only the line. It’s clean and straightforward; once a line is cut, it is permanent.

My art has taken me all over the world and introduced me to wonderful people. I was invited by the Missouri Governor’s office and the National Parks Foundation to design and create ornaments for the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C. each year from 2010-2016.  My work has been exhibited in the White House Visitor Center, in President’s Park (Washington, D.C.),  Missouri Capitol Rotunda,  Missouri Governor’s Mansion, St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, and remains in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute and the Dedalo Museum of Contemporary Art in Italy. Early American Life magazine has selected and featured my work in its prestigious Directory of Traditional American Craftsmen.

I am the former Executive Director of Missouri Artisans Association/The Best of Missouri Hands (2007-2011). Prior to that, I served three terms as this organization’s president, one term as its vice president, and advisor. My advocacy work for the arts continued with my stint as Executive Director for Missouri Citizens for the Arts, and as State Captain for Americans for the Arts. In addition to my art, I am Arts Editor for a monthly magazine. I teach some art classes at St. Louis Community College, too. Clearly, I am passionate about art.

I invite you to visit at my website:

www.StoneHollowStudio.com

Juried Artist/Studio:

Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky

Short Description:

Hand-etched Scrimshaw on natural materials

Contact Number:

636-938-9570

Awards and Honors

 

Missouri’s Selected Artist (2010-2016)

Early American Life National Directory of Traditional Crafts

Best of Missouri Hands Juried Artist

Canadian Cultural Olympiad Registered Artist

BuyMissouri Initiative Charter Member

Enter Into Art Touring Artist; 5-cities, Germany

Art Takes Paris Exhibiting Artist; Paris, France

Art of the Creative Featured Artist; New York, NY

Art Takes Times Square Exhibiting Artist; New York, NY

Missouri Life Magazine 100 – Top 10 Artists

Administrative Counselors Award, Mitchell Museum

Best of Show: Evansville, Indiana

Best in Fine Craft: Bloomington, Illinois / Olney, Illinois

Best Missouri Artist: Cedarhurst Art & Craft Fair

Best Out-of-State Artist: Cedarhurst Art & Craft Fair

Best is Category: Cedarhurst Art & Craft Fair

Award of Excellence: Oshkosh, Wisconsin / St. Louis County, Missouri

Purchase Award: Mitchell Museum

Demonstration Award: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture / Evansville, Indiana