The sewn paintings of faux leather and acrylic paints by artist Esther Janssen combine textures, colors, composition and craftsmanship to result in beautiful artworks you could stare at for hours.
Sewn Paintings of Faux Leather
Born in Maastricht, The Netherlands Esther Janssen is an artist of many talents. A sculptor, a painter, a miniaturist and a craftswoman it was hard to choose which artworks of hers I wanted to share with you most. I was charmed by her cardboard and acrylic miniature models, impressed with her series of tiny acrylic paintings of bungalows and have a fondness for her digital artwork. But her sewn paintings of imitation leather combined with acrylics really stood out.
Of her hand-sewn faux leather Neighbourhood paintings she says: “I aim not to augment reality but to augment perception. To augment sensitivity to natural phenomena that perform a free daily spectacle of shifting light, colour and shape, transforming the mundane surroundings in a magical theatre. Not by adding layers and ‘suspension of disbelief’, but by subtracting layers of noise and suspending conditioned knowledge.”
The artworks below are taken from her Neighbourhood and Garden series, as well as private commissions.
The Neighbourhood no.5, 2021
In the details below you can see how the artist has hand stitched pieces of textured fake leather together and layers them and then applies acrylic paints to certain areas.
The Neighbourhood no. 2, 2014/2015
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The Neighbourhood no. 1, 2014
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In the four pieces from her Garden series the artificial leather sewn paintings are flatter and moodier. Those familiar with artist Henri Rousseau may see his influence in these.
Private Commissions
A German Forest (for a private collection)
Sewn painting made of artificial leather, dimensions: 90 x 115 cm
Cats Portrait for Private Collection
Sewn painting made of artificial leather, 50 x 40 cm
House of Studio Job for Private Collection
Sewn painting made of artificial leather, 50 x 40 cm
I take the familiar banal environment and make it unfamiliar, enchanting and stifling. – Esther Janssen
Esther Janssen
Follow her on instagram @estherjanssen_/
all images courtesy of and ©Esther Janssen