“As long as I can remember I have been creative in different ways. And it was when I began a leather course that I found a material that really appealed to me. I started to think about how I could develop the craft and my own creativity.
One autumn day in October 2007, I was on my daily walk by the sea and found a beautiful half-decayed leaf on the ground. I studied it closely, delighted by its small delicate veins that intertwined into a beautiful pattern- nature's own art. I wanted to freeze the moment and eternalise the fine lines, details and the fantastic shape of the leaf.
This feeling gave birth to an idea. I wanted to somehow create patterns by transferring the fine leaf details onto leather. The leaf I found became the key to an entirely new type of decorative pattern on leather.
My personal journey as a leader Artist has been long, and processing my idea has taken time. In my studio, I experimented to find the right type of technique, leather and plant material. After countless attempts, I managed to develop a method of leather patterns using wild leaves and plants.
I live and work on the Swedish country-side so I am permanently surrounded by nature and close to the wild plants and flowers. Before the design process a carefully selected leather hide is cut to shape, then I begin designing the pattern by hand, using the leaves I have gathered.
I base my designs on the different shapes and select leaves that together create a harmonious pattern. The result is a beautifully detailed and intricate pattern on leather, where each pattern has it's own unique artistic expression.
The organic, fragile leaves are destroyed in the craft process which means that you acquire a pattern that no one else has. If you look very closely you will see the small fine veins and shapes of the different leaves, with folded corners or wormholes”. -Carina Sohl
