Western Leather Carving

[moccasin]

Don't know if this new forum is the right place for leather carving - seems I am the only one on WC doing any of this. In actual fact, I don't do this any more. All my carving tools, designs and materials were destroyed in a fire in 2003. We lost everything we owned - and just going into a bitter cold winter, too.

I apologize for the poor images - old pics, pre-digital, bad scans at the time, and all but two articles are elsewhere in the world now. I gave one to my mom and then got it back when she passed away, and the other was mine for my ranch photos, and which luckily was NOT at the ranch when it burned.

This is a new image (my mom's address book) which I entered in a competition in the Photography Forum (won a first place ribbon with it, too:D) My son found a few carving tools (stamps mostly, which I almost never used) in a second hand store and got them for me. The knife I lost in the fire was not a metal one - I had a wonderful set of porcelain blades for my carving knife - but these went well for the comp entry pic - the topic was "Hobbies" ...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-Leather-Carving1-DSC_3061.jpg

These are old ones I did for clients ...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-brent-trisha-1-1018.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-Erica-Ted-1-1020.jpg

This one is a cover for a sketch/journal book, the rest are photo albums and address and day books
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-soaring-smoke-PT1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-Simone1-1015.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-Narelle-better-1-1012.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-yucca-flowers-1.jpg

This is my ranch album with our brand on it ...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Aug-2007/17777-BCR-1-1016.jpg

Guess that's enough for now ... :evil: :lol:

Hope you enjoy them - I doubt very much I will ever be able to afford to replace all my tools and materials .... the designs I could do again :D The fire couldn't take THAT away from me!!!

Cheers,
Sue :heart:

[Ranger Dan]

Amazing work Sue, if this doesn't belong here then none of us do! I like that we have quite a range of mediums here in this forum. You have an awesome talent! Thanks for sharing these shots.

[Diane Cutter]

Wonderful works, Sue! What a shame to have lost your tools... I especially enjoy this since I do woodcuts.

That first photo is definitely stunning! I hope you'll post your SW/W themed photos here.

Diane

[sassybird]

Sue, these are awesome. I know how much work you put into each of the pieces. You have a great talent for this kind of work.

[Mikki Petersen]

I went through a phase of leather carving at one point in my crafting career. A very expensive hobby and one that takes a lot of time and care. Your work is quite lovely, adding beauty and grace to practical items.

Mikki

[barkingdogg]

Hi Sue. Absolutely beautiful work!!!

[Old Tex]

I agree. Wonderful work! Leather carving doesn't belong in a southwest forum? Absolutely it does.

[nvcricket]

Sue you have a terrific talent. These are great works of art and as western as you can get.
Congratulations on winning with your picture, your work is now immortalized.

Sorry about your loss of your mother, and of your ranch. I can see you poured a lot of time and love into your mothers address book.

Carol

[yogi]

Wonderful work, Sue! I'm so sorry to hear you've lost so much. Eventually, maybe you'll accumulate tools and leather again. I haven't been back to WC for almost 6 months, and I was tickled to see this forum here (wasn't here when I left!). Your post helps inspire me to keep up my beginner attempts at leather work, so THANK YOU for posting here.

Hang in there!

[birdhs]

Art is ART, no matter where it is posted. The creative talent you have is not lost, and tools can be replaced. Go for it!

[Hoss_Lass]

Beautiful leather art! I'm a huge fan of carved leather (lifelong background with horses and special appreciation of hand made leather horse goods). So sorry to hear about your losses, but I'm glad you're here to share your talent with us! :clap:

[Jo Castillo]

These are just beautiful. Kelowna is beautiful, too. I'm thinking golf, food, apples, ......... Hmmm.

Jo

[Alachua Artist]

beautiful work, I must say. I've worked in leather, making saddles and bridles, but not tooled as these are. So sorry to hear of the fire - that's the cruelest form of loss. I hope you can get back to it again in some form.

[Playm]

Hi Sue! Never say "never"!! If there's a will, there's always a way to rebuild your stock of tools!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work. I made my living in the leather biz for a few years back in the '70s. I sometimes wish I'd stuck with it. .. I wanted to start building and tooling saddles, but got sidetracked with 'life'. I sculpt in clay (time willing) these days... but still kick myself that when I walked away from a rotten relationship (my biz partner), of all the dumb things, I escaped without my tools!! My favorite swivel knife was ruby tipped. .. I loved it. *sigh*.

Anyway, your photos illustrate a love for your work. I hope you find a way to get back into it.

[moccasin]

My goodness! Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.

I don't do any Southwestern/western art. Have never been to that area of the States. I do paint and draw, but not from your region.

Jo - Yes ... Kelowna ... golf, apples, sunshine and grapes and wine, too! If you ever get back up this way, you'll have to look me up :D

Playm - I have never seen or heard of a ruby tipped knife. Gotta look into that one!!!

Yogi - You carve leather?? Will you please post pics?

Cheers,
Sue :heart:

[MKathleen]

Sue, a late welcome and comment. I have always admired leather tooled work--it's an art into and of its self. I think this a perfect place to display your work. Hey even those of us in the Sculpture forum would embrace you and your work. I had a cousin in Texas who started leather tooling as a young man. I thought he was very good and loved to watch him work.
It's such a shame you lost everything in a fire.
Kathy