About Howard 'Howie' Rosenfeld

News! Howie is running for re-election to the San Juan County Council this Nov. 4th. Please  direct your support, questions, and concerns to 360.378.5788 or email howie@howardrosenfeld.com  Some election statements are in bold below.

Scrimshaw, the uniquely non-native, American artform was practiced by seamen out of New England starting about 1820. It was re-popularized by President Kennedy who displayed his scrimshaw collection on the desk in the oval office. I learned Scrimshaw the old fashioned way - out at sea, sailing aboard tall ships learning the details of hull, rig and sail.

When I first started doing scrimshaw in 1969 the sperm whale teeth had little value and were even being given away. So it seemed right to decorate these magnificent teeth with engraving. Years later when ivory became controversial I discovered that I could 'scrimshaw' a copper plate and make prints. This is drypoint engraving, a non-acid etching technique dating from 1400.

My prints are sold in limited editions and the plates are 'struck' with my initials and framed with the last print in the edition. Sometimes I frame a print with a scrimshaw 'remarque' on a piano key (recycled ivory) or on larger mammoth ivory plaques. Prints are sometimes hand colored with watercolor.

Museum quality framing is also available as I am also a professional picture framer and traditionally done decorative French matting is a specialty.

My studio and gallery, Friday Harbor Art Studio and Custom Picture Framing is now in its 15th year.

I am currently running for re-election to San Juan County Council, District 3, which encompasses the one square mile Town of Friday Harbor. As a former Town Councilmember and Fire Chief, I've successfully brought the interests and concerns of Town citizens to the County table. I'm proud to run on this record. With my experience I was quickly made Vice-Chair, and this year, Chair during a very challenging period. I'm ready to continue if you want me. I've lived here 28 years, been an 18 year volunteer firefighter, and a 21 year business owner. I have island and institutional memory of where we were and how we've changed. I want to protect our island beauty, way of life, and traditions. I want to keep the historic, small town look and feel. Future growth of Town boundaries will need a close Town/County partnership so expansion doesn't burden existing residents. I will do this and bring the perspectives of many constituances, not just one special interest group or ideology like some candidates. Please continue to let me know your opinions.

I was born at New Haven, CT, graduated a zoology major from UConn, served in the Peace Corps doing malaria eradication in Thailand, and worked in public health in San Francisco and elsewhere for the U.S. Public Health Service and other juridictions.Then Sausalito, CA became homeport for almost 10 years of living aboard and sailing the west coast, Mexico and Hawaii. While becoming an artist was previously not even remotely on my career choice list, while sailing on many old wooden ships I learned the arts of marlinspike seamanship and scrimshaw. Since moving to Friday Harbor I've been director of The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor Fire Chief and I was a 2 term elected member of the Friday Harbor Town Council. Currently, I'm into my first term as  a San Juan County Council Member.

I have been an artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists since 1982. Sometimes pieces are signed with ASMA after my name. That's what it stands for.

Awards: Scrimshaw, International Marine Art Exhibition, 1980, '81, '82 and '89.

Artwork used in movies: Free Willy 2 & 3, Practical Magic and Kindergarten Cop.

Featured Artist: Eddie Bauer Catalog, Winter 1990.

Article: No Wrinkles, Wooden Boat #14

In 2003: 2nd Place cash award, San Juan Gallery Annual Competition; 2nd Place cash award, Commencement Bay Marine Fest;Merit Award: Port Townsend Woodenboat Festival Art Exhibition;Participation: Lessedra Art Exhibition, Sofia, Bulgaria and the 5th British International Miniature Print Exhibition; and artwork Lady Washington included: Bound for Blue Water, Contemporary American Marine Art by J. Russell Jinishian, Greenwich Workshop

In 2004 I was included in the 13th Annual Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.

2006: pages 168-171, Contemprary Scrimshaw by Eva Halet.

Many other awards, exhibitions and private commissions. Howie's work has been prized by collectors worldwide.