A Note From Roger Hopper

In the Design Collection you will find an assortment of very unique scrimshaw designs. Grizzly Bears, Kittens, Eagles, Rabbits, Flowers, Wolves and more. Of all the designs we have to choose from, I consider the portrait of Christ, entitled "Crown of Thorns", to be my finest achievement. Not because of any detail or expression captured, but because I have been able to use this piece as a tool to help me overcome my timidness to profess my love for the Lord.

When I first became interested in the art of scrimshaw, I admired the extremely fine work of Adam Funmaker, a Native American scrimshaw artist. Several years later, I acquired a book which displayed the work of hundreds of scrimshaw artists. In this book, each artist was allotted 1/6 of a page to tout his or her achievements. When I found what Mr. Funmaker had written about, I was both surprised and deeply moved. He simply said, "The glory belongs to my creator, for whatever I am able to do." When people ask, "How do you get such fine detail?", I tell them, "I don't do all of the work by myself." This normally results in a somewhat puzzled reaction. then I tell them, "Alone I can only do the easy stuff, the Lord helps me with the hard stuff."

Throughout the Design Collection, you will find poems, verses and prayers. Many of them, as well as several of my scrimshaw designs, reflect the strong admiration I have for the American Indians. The Indians of old were a deeply religious people. Most tribes had detailed oral records of creation, as well as the great flood. Many of the poems and verses make reference to "The Great Spirit", which is how the Sioux Indians referred to their God. I won't really know for sure until I am called to be with Jesus in heaven, but I think their God and mine are one in the same.

God Bless,
HOP