Defining Your Style

[steveb]

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

1 - hmm...my style is what appeals to me aesthetically, tempered by what my skill

allows me to achieve from a production sense..i'd say i can get about 40% of what is in my

head down on leather at this point in my leather-craft career..i have a ways to go to catchup

2 - my style is wholly based on the things Ive experienced and the things

that have influenced me: bikes, hot rods, NYC, music, tough guys, mean streets and good friends

I consider myself a big time "blender" of stylistic influences

I got into leather craft because I wanted things for myself that were pretty specific, and I couldn't find anyone to get it right...and i tried finding people to bring my ideas to life....

I always got what THEIR style was, and what i wanted was work that was MY style - so i figured i'd give it a go myself...years later, my desire for a plain black belt has cost me thousands of dollars and a shop full of tools.... that belt and wallet of my dreams sure have turned out to be expensive...lol

bottom line - i make stuff that i'd wear, that comes out of my head and that i like - thats always been my marker - people have bought

into my taste/style and that is what i serve up. Honestly, it is really the only thing i know how to do.

You want "sheridan" - i tell some folks - find someone else - it aint what I do.

I am for the most part, a one trick pony...and thats ok with me...and my customers too, it seems

steveb

[bustedlifter]

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?

Thanks, abn. I tried some color on some earlier seats and I found it didn't hold up well at all. Although I love full color art, I also love black and white illustration and I think simple natural colored leather, with or without black, and some sort of contrast or highlight just looks better with age. I want people to run my stuff and beat the crap out of it, for a long time, and not worry about color rubbing off. And when it does wear out I'll do it again.