PLAMONDON – Lac La Biche County artist Noella Somerville recently instructed a group of participants on how to make leather journal books for writing and drawing in during a workshop held at the Philip Ménard Cultural Centre in Plamondon, on Feb. 21.
The workshop was hosted by the Centre d’arts visuels de l’Alberta (CAVA) and was part of the Edmonton-based provincial Francophone arts organization’s ‘CAVA on the Road Initiative.’
Somerville, who owns and operates an Économusée (artisan at work) called Healing à la Source, had several materials on hand for the workshop participants to use, including thread, printing paper, needles, brown and black leather, lacing, as well as an assortment of colourful buttons for decorating the journals.
The process involved in making leather journal books involves first folding and piercing the paper, followed by piercing the leather. Once this is done, the pieces can be assembled, she explained.
Somerville, who also specializes in stained glass, offers classes in yoga and teaches Reiki sessions. She has been involved in the art of custom leather making since beginning her journey as an artist in 2007 and makes items such as belts and slings for guitars.
Working with this artform is something Somerville has become very passionate about. Leather, she said, has a very nice smell to it.
“Art is art, so I love doing art.”
Leslie Cortes, executive director of CAVA, was also in Plamondon on Feb. 21 and participated in the leather journal making session.
Cortes said CAVA on the Road is an important program as it allows the Centre d’arts visuels de l’Alberta to provide residents of Francophone communities across Alberta – even in rural communities - with the opportunity to participate in visual arts workshops.
