Eyes are a naturally alluring subject, the "windows to soul" as the old saying goes. But regardless of how many artists portray these corporal parts, they are still a thing of beauty.

Ron Luebke, Jr., who until the summer of 2008 worked in the auto industry, created these nice examples of scrimshaw and hand engraving. After 11 years as a blue collar worker, Luebke's long-time job disappeared with the local auto plant. Although an unfortunate situation, it has led him to making beautiful works of art. "I was drooling over high end knives on the computer one day and came across one embellished by Howard Thomas's scrimshaw," says Ron, "....I had never seen or heard of scrim before that."

With no formal art training and the most recent art class completed in his junior year of high school, Ron (now 42) turned his tinkering into something much more. As for the lovely right eye shown here, Ron says, "I have always sketched eyes for as long as I can remember, don't know exactly why, just have."

For the zebra project, he did an abstract view of the wild beast with a great crop that adds interest to the striking black and white stripes. A client commissioned the 'painted woman' — which, in and of itself, is alluring even without her flirty eyes. In the bulino engraving, a piercing glance from an American bald eagle against a waving flag is enough to portray strength and beauty in the same design. Even with four very different subjects and arrangements, the beauty of the eye can easily be appreciated in Luebke's work.

How does Ron choose his subject matter? "It's value when finished," answers Ron, "...something that appeals to or catches my eye, a customer's wishes or sometimes it's just an idea that won't get out of my head till it's done."

His work tools include a microscope, Coulter Precision carbide scribe, HSS graver, and Higgins ink. "99.9% of my scrimshaw is black ink only. I have embellished a very limited number of pieces with color," notes Ron.

Though he has just begun to scratch the surface of these wonderful arts, he appreciates the dozens of others involved. "I can't say enough how impressed I am with the engraving and scrimshaw community. The openness, encouragement and sharing of information has been over the top. Even the businesses associated with it — what company calls a customer to ask about a $30 purchase? GRS, that's who!"

A few artists who have influenced or helped Ron along the way that he would like to thank are David Adams, Howard Thomas and his wife Tiese, and Katherine Plumer (who engraved and talked about bulino on her blog, which Ron found and read).

Feel free to check out some of his scrimshaw and engraved art on his website: http://www.rlmagic.com/scrim/scrimhome.htm