As I Do

The first in what will be a series of visual teachings. The “how” of what I do. Not technical directions, just floating the process.

This is the process of taking a thrift store coat or pair of pants, bringing it to a panel of painted leather. Ready then, to be constructed into–something. A bag, hat, whatever for my Wearable Art shop. Easily, this is the most enjoyable part of the process. The freest most “play-like” aspect of what I do.

First, the “search & seizure” at the thrift store. The walking the aisles and just touching the edges of items has gotten to a muscle memory function. Feeling in one touch, the real leather from PVC. Being able to spot the colors tucked in with the drabs. Some trips net me only a stack of black leathers. But other trips–I score with the find of a screaming pink suede or a luscious purple calfskin.

No matter what I find, the next step is to strip out the lining, padding, and anything extraneous–and open up seams to make flat panels of leather or suede. As I am taking the linings out (to the background of any of a number of cop shows), I notice whatever features I can incorporate in the finished bag or hat. I especially am fond of cool pockets, double-stitched button plackets, etc.

At this point what I have is a “blank canvas”–and I get to play. There really aren’t any words for this part of the process. It’s a matter, for me, of seeing where colors go–letting the colors work on their own. Noticing, feeling my way, playing. This is the “why” of what I do. The full, open feeling of joy–just watching colors move. Once the paint is dry, the glazing happens. This is another purely pleasurable task. I can enjoy the painting while I watch the colors become vibrant.

Hanging the panels is a lot like leaving a drying canvas on the easel. That period of “is it finished–can I add–do I still like it” before I move on. Then there is the matching and visualizing the potential finished piece. All those steps are enjoyable also–but the painting is what got me into this, and what I look forward to when I see a “naked” leather jacket. Paintings, play, flow.