Roger Kull
Pictorial Leather Sculpture
Roger and Marie Kull live and work in Cave Creek, Arizona. They create a unique art form that has become known as "Pictorial Leather Sculpture". Utilizing the natural hues of leather, specialized dyes, and the colorful blues of turquoise, they constantly flow between tradition and innovation. As a result, an art form that has been mostly ignored has taken leather as a fine art to a higher level than thought possible.
Using freehand design, Rogers carves and forms the leather into art that reflects the history of the "Four Corners" region. Marie applies the dyes with such skill that many believe that the colors are inlayed. Her back ground as a fine art oil painter has added a touch
that cannot be duplicated. Together, with Roger's finely honed self-developed technique, they create an art form that is regarded as one of the most unique, beautiful, and appreciated in the art world. In addition to being an accomplished artist and craftman, Roger is also a respected author. A rare blend of talent and dedication make their work a treasure to own and enjoy.
Extracts from a recent interview and article in the April 4, 2003 "Arizona Republic" newpaper follows:
"This is my entire workshop," Leather artist Roger Kull said, holding two screwdriver-sized tools. "A swivel knife and a clay modeler's spoon. These are the only tools
I use."
Kull creates what he calls pictorial leather sculptures, which are three-dimensional color pictures of Southwestern imagery on sheets of leather, by cutting and carving the leather on the front side and shaping with the spoon-shaped tool from the back side. The leather surface is then dyed and treated to preserve the shape and color
Marie, Roger's wife, and art-making partner for 22 years, is an oil painter who applies all the color dyes to Roger's pieces. "We use dyes as opposed to paints because leather
breathes," Marie said. "Paints will crack, but a dye penetrates the leather and won't crack."
Roger's pieces are predominately pictures of Native American pottery, people, and dwellings, often with pieces of turquoise embedded in the leather surface. Kull, who has an
extensive collection of ancient pottery, enjoys searching for artifacts.
"I've been to every major ruins site in the Southwest," he said. "My art is about Four Corners history."
Roger never does any stamping or pressing on his pieces. All pieces are done completely by freehand, so even if he tried to duplicate another piece he may have once done, it becomes different, unique, and a one-of-a-kind original. Roger is currently represented by over 20 Soutwestern Fine Art Galleries and works direct with collectors and fine art lovers at www.southwesternartistdirect.com.
