as it sits in my hands ,” she notes . “ I think this is why I find leather to be so compelling . … It is very much alive with a wild and natural energy . It informs me of what it wants to be .”
Woodburn says she is most influenced by the work of Ruth Asawa , a wire sculptor who believed that the simplest objects become art when we draw from our life , nature and our personal passions .
“ What I appreciate most is the way in which she approached any medium from a place of curiosity and delight ,” Woodburn adds . “ This is the muscle I have built with my art : Always be curious and delight in the outcome . Especially when it is not what you expected it to be .”
When it comes to leathercrafting , Woodburn begins with full hides . She prefers a freehand stitch over prepunch , which makes her work unique from most other leather artists working with handstitching . She works primarily with elk , deer and bison hides , which are sourced from the Midwest through wild ethical hunting practices .
“ My first step is an offering — a prayerful blessing to Great Spirit for the life the animal gave , with a hope that we as a species will learn to walk more softly and sustainably on the earth in harmony with all things ,” Woodburn explains . “ I like to imagine the generations my pieces will be passed down to , which is a lovely form of sustainability , and my hope for each piece is … [ that it lives ] on as an heirloom , which I trust will never end up in a landfill .”
Woodburn received her first break as an artist when she applied to show her paintings at Winter Fantasy in 2013 . “ My entire life was recontextualized with the possibility of making a living as an artist ,” she notes . Woodburn was accepted into Sawdust Art Festival ’ s summer show the following year and has been an exhibitor there ever since .
In addition to showing at both Sawdust Art Festival and Winter Fantasy , Woodburn plans to open her Laguna Canyon leather studio to the public this spring as well ; until then , it is open by appointment only .
C . RAE LEATHER DESIGNS EDGYG . COM
Sue Winner ( right ) repurposes leather clothing , as seen here ( left ) at a Sawdust fashion show
Wearable Wares
S ue Winner always knew she was the creative type . “ I became an artist shortly after I stopped eating my crayons , [ at ] around 3 years old ,” she jokes . At 16 years old , she was already exploring her style and creativity through work as an interior designer and she went on to receive a bachelor ’ s degree in fine arts from Mount Mary College ( now Mount Mary University ) in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
Since then , Winner has had a hand in many different mediums , from painting and ceramics to clothing , jewelry and leatherwork . She uses antique and vintage textiles , linens and leather from around the world to craft unique , wearable pieces as part of her clothing line , Exotic Resurrection .
“ The fine craftsmanship of vintage and antique textile creators inspire [ s ] my designs ,” Winner says . “ Each fabric piece speaks to me by telling me how it should be used in my clothing designs . All my pieces are one-of-a-kind designs , [ as ] I believe in the beauty of recycling [ vintage clothing ]. … I wish to give honor to these past craftspeople by bringing their work into the light once again .”
At Winner ’ s home , she and her husband , Mark — a ceramic artist — each have a studio , and the duo share a booth under the eucalyptus trees at Sawdust Art
Festival , where Winner has been showing her work for more than 20 years . It is there that she sells her original , limited edition designs : hand-painted clothing , vintage upcycled jackets , silk scarf tops , belts and other accessories as well as ceramic sculptures , cards , illustrations and prints of her original art ( alongside Mark ’ s crystalline ceramics ).
When starting a new project , Winner says she opens her imagination and lets the clothing ’ s shape , texture or drape tell her what type of piece to create . They are then handsewed and , often , painted or restored as well .
Recently , she repurposed a 1970s jacket that combined leather and crocheted elements into a red leather jumpsuit , even adding a beaded silk pocket . She also transformed pink vintage leather pants from the ’ 80s , altering the sides and waistband as well as adding pink lace , silver crystals and sequin detailing . Both were on full display at the festival : “ Our Sawdust fashion shows , held each summer , are … [ very ] entertaining ,” she says .
Stop by this summer to peruse Winner ’ s work and snag some items for yourself , or visit her Etsy store to check for available products year-round . /
SUE WINNER ETSY . COM / SHOP / THEWINNERS
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 31