mércores, 25 de maio de 2022

Entrevista a Silva Fox [COIRO]

 

Galician first, English below.Hoxe temos a oportunidade coñecer algo máis sobre Silva Fox, premio Al Stohlman Award do ano 1997.

-Canto tempo levas traballando co coiro e como empezaches?
-Empecei a traballar o coiro en 1976 cando vin un fermoso bolso labrado nunha tenda de Tandy Leather en Niles, Illinois, onde coñecín ao xerente da tenda, Harry Resinger. Despois de preguntar sobre a compra do bolso e que me dixesen que non estaba á venda pero que podía aprender a facer un, a miña natureza artística viuse desafiada. Solicitei un traballo en Tandy, comprei un kit para principiantes e desde ese momento a paixón permanente polo traballo do coiro xurdiu.

 -Que ten o coiro que non teñan outros materiais?
-Hai máis cousas que se poden facer con coiro que con calquera outro material que se me ocorra. Todo, desde roupa e zapatos ata arneses grosos para elefantes e cabalos, bandas de transmisión industriais, encadernación de libros ata os deseños artísticos máis delicados e fermosos. Vexo máis e máis ideas e traballos sorprendentes en todas as revistas e encontros de todo o mundo: co coiro non hai límite para a creatividade, non hai fin. Sempre haberá novos descubrimentos e novos artesáns á cabeza.

-Entre as diferentes técnicas que coñeces, cal é a túa favorita?
-O que máis me gusta facer no meu traballo en coiro é a cor. Ese é o aspecto máis desafiante porque non se debe agregar demasiada pintura e, con todo, gústame que as cores sexan brillantes e fortes. Debido a que estou a traballar con cores acrílicas, pode ser tentador usar unha capa grosa para acelerar o progreso, pero o uso de capas transparentes permite que se mostren todos os marabillosos detalles das ferramentas. Cada capa agrega máis profundidade ao produto terminado.

-Que peza de traballo tes ganas de facer e non fixeches aínda?
-Disfruto facendo imaxes de paxaros, todos os animais en realidade, cabalos e retratos de mascotas, pero máis os paxaros. Teño algunhas ideas especiais con colibrís en movemento ou talvez algo moi grande con garzas.
 
-Cal sería o teu consello para calquera que estea a comezar? 
-Todo é posible con coiro. Non te deixes atrapar por tentar traballar como os demais. Aprende os conceptos básicos: seleccionar o coiro adecuado, afiar a folla, suxeitar a coitela xiratoria para maior comodidade, usar as diversas ferramentas ata que te sintas cómodo co proceso. Pídelle a alguén a quen respectes que xulgue a túa técnica para aprender e logo proba cousas novas, invéntaas, desafía a túa imaxinación. Alguén me preguntou unha vez, "que podo facer cunha chea de círculos de pousavasos?" Así que tomei 3 círculos uniformes e 1 pequeno e fixen un vaso (ver foto). E agora pregúntoche: “que podes facer cunha chea de círculos de pousavasos?”.

-Tes algunha ferramenta especial ou única?
-Todas as miñas ferramentas son especiais. Traballan marabillosamente para min e fan todo o que lles pido. Moitos foron feitos por persoas ás que teño unha gran admiración e respecto. Compre sempre as mellores ferramentas que se poidan pagar e lembra que agora o fabricante da ferramenta tamén apoia o teu traballo. As miñas ferramentas favoritas son as que aparecen na foto.

-Tes algún artesán do coiro que consideres inspirador? 
-Como moitos artesáns, comecei cun kit para principiantes de Tandy Leather Company. Harry Resinger, o xerente mencionado anteriormente, ensinoume moitas cousas sobre o coiro e, ao traballar para Tandy, aprendín que escoller os produtos que vas a comprar. Nese momento, ninguén era máis coñecido no medio oeste que Al & Ann Stohlman e eu posuía todos os seus libros e patróns, polo que foron unha gran influencia. Aprendín de Christine Stanley e atopei no seu estilo e as súas paisaxes da natureza o que máis me agradaba. Cos anos aprendín a coser, facer costuras decorativas con tireta e construír cousas, polo que hai moitas persoas que forman parte do meu traballo. Síntome moi inspirada e cada ano, a medida que o mundo se fai máis pequeno e a creatividade faise máis grande e mellor.

 
-E que significa para ti ser recoñecido co Premio Ao Stohlman?
-Achegáronseme membros do Gremio de Coiro de Prairie States que querían presentarme para o Premio Ao Stohlman. Ensinara durante moitos anos, escrito artigos, xulgado espectáculos e sentinme honrada de que os meus compañeiros considerasen as miñas contribucións dignas deste gran premio. Deseñei un cartafol para gardar os materiais recompilados e o gremio presentouna para a súa consideración. (foto) Convertinme na gañadora do Premio Al Stohlman de 1997 en Ft. Worth, Texas. Este foi o momento máis emocionante da miña vida. Ser chamado a un podio cun anuncio tan grande é surrealista. Xa non teño a capacidade de unirme a reunións con gremios de coiro e asistir a espectáculos, pero continúo coa miña misión de ensinar con información na internet. 

O meu sitio web é: http://silvafoxartistry.com

https://silvafoxsays.blogspot.com/


Today we have the opportunity to learn more about Silva Fox, the 1997 Al Stohlman Award.

-How long have you been working with leather and how did you start?
-I started tooling leather in 1976 when I saw a lovely carved handbag in a Tandy Leather store in Niles, Illinois where I met the store manager, Harry Resinger. After inquiring about buying the bag and being told it was not for sale but I could learn to make one my artistic nature was challenged. I applied for a job with Tandy, purchased a beginner kit and was permanently passionate with leather working from that time.
-What does the leather have that other materials do not?
-There are more things that can be made with leather than any other medium I can think of. Everything from clothing and shoes to thick harnesses for elephants and horses, industrial drive bands, book binding to the most delicate and beautiful art designs. I see more and more amazing ideas and works with every magazine and show from all around the world—with leather there is no limit to creativity, there is no end. There will be new discoveries always and new artisans leading the way.

-Among the different techniques you know, which one is your favorite?
-My favorite thing to do in my leather working is color. That is the most challenging aspect because there should not be too much paint added and yet I like the colors to be bright and strong. Because I am working with artists acrylic colors it can be tempting to use a thick layer to hurry along the progress but using transparent layers allows all the wonderful detail of the tooling to show. Each layer adds more depth to the finished product.

-Which work piece do you feel like doing and haven’t done yet?
-I enjoy making pictures of birds, all animals really, horses and pet portraits, but more the birds. I have a few special ideas with hummingbirds in motion or maybe something very large with herons.

-What would be your advice for anyone who is beginning?
-Anything is possible with leather. Do not get caught up trying to work like anyone else. Learn the basics: casing leather, stropping your blade, holding the swivel knife for comfort, using the various tools until you are comfortable with the process. Have someone you respect judge your technique to learn and then try new things, make them up, challenge your imagination. Someone once asked me, “what can I do with a bunch of coaster circles” so I took 3 uniform circles and 1 small one and made a vase (see photo). And now I ask you: “what can you do with a bunch of coaster circles”.

-Have you got any special or unique tools?
-All of my tools are special. They work for me beautifully and do anything I ask of them. Many have been made by people who I have great admiration and respect for. Always buy the best tools you can afford and remember that now the maker of the tool is also supporting your work. My favorites are shown in the photo.

-Do you have a leathercrafter that you consider inspiring? 
-Like many artisans, I began with a beginner kit from Tandy Leather Company. Harry Resinger, the manager mentioned before, taught me many things about leather and by working for Tandy I learned what to look for in the products I was buying. At the time no one was more well known in the midwest than Al & Ann Stohlman and I own all their books and patterns so they were a heavy influence. I learned of Christine Stanley and found her style and wildlife art more to my liking. Over the years I learned to stitch, work with lace and construct things so there are many people that are a part of my work. I am inspired by many and every year, many more as the world gets smaller and creativity gets bigger and better.

-And what does it mean to you to be recognized with the Al Stohlman Award?
-I was approached by members of the Prairie States Leather Guild who wanted to submit me for the Al Stohlman Award. I had taught for many years, written articles, judged shows and I was honored that my peers found my contributions worthy of this great Award. I designed a binder to hold the materials collected and the Guild submitted it for consideration. (photo) I became the 1997 Al Stohlman Award winner in Ft. Worth, Texas. This was the most exciting moment of my life. To be called to a podium with such a great announcement is surreal. I no longer have the ability to join in meetings with leather guilds and attending shows but continue my mission to teach with information on the internet.

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