Defining Your Style

[abn]

I'm impressed by companies that are able to make their products stand out from the crowd by creating a distinctive style. Examples might be BMW, whose engineers create vehicles with recognizable grilles and headlights, or maybe Airstream trailers, which strive for a vintage look with aluminum panel construction. What's neat about these products is the fact that you could hide the nameplate, and odds are, you'd still know the maker.

When I first started out in leatherwork, my #1 concern was making a quality product. But coming in a close second was the desire to make something that reflected a unique style. I've noticed that many folks here have developed their own style in leather. I'd be curious to know your opinions on the following questions:

1. How would you define your style if you had to describe it to someone?

2. What would you say influenced your style? (Techniques, materials, personal preferences, customer preferences, other?)

I don't think we've discussed style much on this forum, so I hope folks will consider weighing in on this topic and sharing some insights.

Thanks, Alex

[Drac]

1. I'd have to say that if I had to describe me style to someone it would be um... er... ah... mine? *L*

2. as far as what influenced me style, part of it was conscious decision, but mainly it's due to being self-taught.

[bustedlifter]

I think mine could be described as; functional and tough or durable, almost industrial, with a touch of cartoony hot rod influences.

[Regis]

Alex,

Great topic. I've thought of this several times and although I'm not there, I have learned something about it. I don't believe my "style" is something I will work toward but, rather something I'll settle into. If that makes sense. Any time I try to come up with a style, I find that I'm simply emulating someone's that impressed me. Unique styles may be rare and when I reach mine it will probably be more suttle than the ones you mentioned.

my 2c,

Regis

[abn]

I think mine could be described as; functional and tough or durable, almost industrial, with a touch of cartoony hot rod influences.

Lifter, you're a perfect example of someone who has developed a unique style. (Samples)

I think it's interesting that you mention the words durable, industrial and cartoony, but don't say anything about what I think is the most distinctive quality of your work, and that's the color. You're one of the few folks here who leaves a seat naturally colored, but dyed black in certain areas. Is that your personal preference, and if so, do you think you might ever experiment with other color schemes?

[ClayB]

For a long time I wondered if I would ever develop my own style, but I think it's started to come out. I do mostly pictures these days and the thing I'd like my carving style to be considered is realistic art. Then I go and put feathers on a buffalo, but I still want the feathers to look realistic.

I think that my style is influenced by two things, the place I live, and the people who's work I admire and try to learn from. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so nature will always be part of what I do. As for who's work I admire, the list is long and I try to take a little from all of them and blend it into something that is my own. Since I usually just make things that I want to make, I don't have to worry about what a customer or anyone else wants. I hope that my style never is fully developed, but continually growing and changing.

[Tina]

My style is more towards realism too in leather.

If possible I would like to put my own twist on the subject, usally I can do this when it's not a comission work, then again, it also have to do with the purpouse of the item. I need to get this subject a second thought in about a year when I have some more items to compare with:-)

In art, I'm an absolute fan of surrealism, anything goes,. but I also love cubism. I have tried to come up with themes for this to leather but have not yet come up with an idea that is good enough. To just take one of my painting and trancfer it to leather...Naw, that would most likley look really strange:-)

Intersting topic Clay.

Yes, interesting topic, but I can't take credit for it, it was Alex's idea

Edited January 31, 2008 by ClayB

[faceOdd]

Alex,

This is a great topic and one I've recently spent a lot of time thinking about.

I'd like to think my style is conservative avante-garde. I'm working on getting beyond the 'conservative' part...

As far as mask-making goes, I'll soon be vending at a convention along side another mask-maker who feels my work is 'too similar'. His friends agree; my friends disagree. I've decided to make whatever I want, truly believing that it's not our work that's so similar but our influences, and let the customers decide what they want... although I've decided to make more bags than I had originally planned. 'One-of-a-kind stylized wearable art masks' is how I tend to describe them. I spend a lot of time obsessively edging them and take a particular pride in how well the edges look when they're done. I also tend to 'spit shine' many of them to get a deep, high luster. Unfortunately, I usually photograph them before they're actually finished.

My bags and tool cases derive their beauty (for me, anyway) from the quality of their construction, their practicality, functionality, and smooth, clean lines. Spending 6 years in the Army back when the boots were black and highly polished definitely left its mark on my aesthetic sense. I do seem to be among the minority of leatherworkers who choose to work with oil tanned or chrome tanned leathers, and I wonder sometimes if 'real' leatherworkers even see my designs as leatherworking at all. Prior to discovering LW.Net last week, I didn't have much to compare my work with. Now I wonder what direction it'll take, with so much exposure to new or different ways of doing things.

My influences are definitely eclectic and draw heavily from military, industrial, sci-fi, fantasy, gothic and fairytale genres. I take pride in my 'range'. Just this week I made a sturdy black camera case, two shimmery ladies' masks, one textured gargoyle mask and one neon green child's purse with a huge white daisy applique' : )

~Tammy

[robert]

This is a fun topic. I am still working on "my style"... i do floral western items mostly, and over the years i have moved from Tandy style to Sheridan style to California style- then did some "vintage" style using patterns and components from decades ago. With each style, i pick up things that i like. I am in the process of trying to take all the things i liked and combine them into something that I like. Essentially, I am trying to draw a pattern that has some old flowers (some modified/modernized), but using modern stamps, and done in a more contemporary layout (smaller flowers/leaves and a more circular layout).

I am mostly influenced by the work that i see others do that I like.

[BillB]

Alex,

Good questions. When I started carving leather in 1970, most of the books covered figure carving or Western Floral Designs. I did holsters, belts, quivers, brief cases, 3-legged camp stools, handbags, purses, wallets. I also do wood working. Anything from antique furniture restoration (billiards table, hoosier cabinet, clock cases) to wood turning. In the late 90's I was helping a master wood carver finish a Totem Pole on Rainy Lake at Camp Kooch-i-ching and I began to look at Native American Art (bead patterns, totem poles, Shield patterns, etc.) and how that would transfer to leather. I had spent 18 years living summers on that island and at that camp since my parents worked there, but never ever looked at it as an art form until much later in life. You can find examples of my work in the Show Off section.

I also take Military insignia and medals and transfer their design to leather for special projects (retirement/going away present).

I guess that is why I consider myself a craftsman rather than an artist.

When my wife wanted a totem of a rabbit on her PDA case I realized that I had not seen one in any of the literature or current art/poles that followed the traditional totem art form of the northwest. I am currently drawing one myself. I have finished one design and I am letting it sit for a while and I will come back to it to see if I am still happy with the results, otherwise I will begin attempt #2. Eventually the design will be transfered to the leather PDA case and tooled. I might, just might consider that art.

So the answers are:

Question #1 is: craftsman - I really want people to know that the final product was hand crafted and not machined pressed;

Question #2 is: my life experiences and my love/belief in the Red Road.