Pencil artist makes his point with amazing new book

The art that flows from Salavat Fidai’s pencils actually never leaves the pencils.

A curvy stallion, a row of circus elephants or the Eiffel Tower remain on the tips of pencils thanks to Fidai’s steady hand and patient craft knife that carves the soft lead into a sculptural symbol easily recognized in the most unexpected place.

Fidai’s pencil carvings, featured by Cult of Mac in March, are part of a book available now on pre-order from the crowd-funding website Indiegogo. Fidai is trying to raise $5,500 to publish The Pencil Book and early backers can get one for $10.

The ex-lawyer-turned-artist from Ufa, Russia has found no shortage of subject matter at the end of pencils. The iconic face of Darth Vader, a hand in the former of a peace sign, the muzzle of an assault rifle or two loose locks linked together.

Fidai photographs each finished pencil with a macro-lease-fitted camera, but also likes to work on other miniature surfaces, like pumpkin seeds.

He displays his work on Instagram and as precious as they are to him, he sells them on Etsy – with customers from all over the world – because it is a source of income that helps him provide for his family. One year ago, he was working as an attorney and turned to art out of necessity when he was laid off.

“At the office, I worked only six hours,” Fidai told Cult of Mac earlier this year. “And now, I work for 12 hours, seven days a week. I am happy. My children will be artists, too. My son learned pencil carving and recently sold his first carved pencil.”