Sally WITT – Queensland
Australian Army (2000-2016)
Visual Arts ~ Program 16.1
Sally WITT, 2010
‘Carved cutting saddle with rough out seat & fenders’
4.5mm Herman Oak Leather on fibreglass tree, leather dye, leather conditioner
(Not for sale)
Artist’s Context – Saddle: Carved cutting saddle with rough out seat & fenders
I carved this saddle when I was based at School Military Engineering, Moorebank and 17 Construction Squadron, Holsworthy Barracks. Going to my old saddler friend, Allan Hartley’s workshop and hanging out with old cowboys
and learning leather work was the saving grace for a cowgirl posted to the city.
So pretty soon I decided to start making my own cutting saddle. The crazy thing is, I learnt to carve on this saddle. Before it, I knew a bit of basic stuff but this took hundreds of hours, tracing, cutting, carving, stamping,
dying the background, dying the whole lot with a custom dye.
I had a faithful blue stumpy dog, Banjo, that used to sit with me and it was at this time that I experienced
a severe relationship breakup due to domestic violence & assault. Leather work is amazing therapy
and allows beautiful presence through concentration. During that time I would tool for hours and hours
with Banjo sitting next to my work bench.
And this is the beautiful result that took me over a year to finish. I only started riding in it lightly in 2018
and now ride in it weekly. Its a heck of a comfy saddle and I am extremely proud to reflect on the beautiful positive
that came of such a rough, tough time in my life. So after I left Sydney, I had a bit of a break from leatherwork and didn’t really start getting back into it until 2017, once I had left the Army due to medical discharge.
I still love it! And sometimes its so hard to get my mind motivated to actually sit down and create a piece
and each time I do, I relish it, love the challenge, love teaching myself new skills and techniques
and love that I have done so much healing that my mind can be creative again.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Semi stamped half breed stock saddle’
4.5mm Herman Oak Leather on fibreglass tree, leather conditioner
(Not for sale)
Artist’s Context – Saddle: Semi stamped half breed stock saddle
My friend Mick asked me to make him a saddle in 2019, as I was busting to make another saddle.
So off to Sydney I drove, back to hang with Allan Hartley
again for 10 days and to refresh and learn more about saddlemaking.
It took me 8 days to make and Mick is very happy with his saddle and loves riding in it.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Agapanthus’
Stamped 2.5mm leather, leather conditioner
(Not for sale)
Artist’s Context – Stamped Leather: Agapanthus
I was drawn to this picture of an agapanthus as it was beautiful and simplistic.
When I had the idea of ‘leather wall art’ I had no idea of what I should do, so chose this piece as a starting point.
As I moved on from piece to piece, I have found myself seeking pictures that have
an additional technique for me to try, or that challenge me in some way.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Still Rising’
Leather carving with a swivel knife predominantly, with basic stamping
58 x 48 cm
(For Sale: $800)
Artist’s Context – Leather Carving: Still Rising
This picture was drawn by my friend Derek Flakelar – ARRTS 18.1
(https://showcase.geoffgrey.com.au/music-and-rhythm/dez-flakelar/)
and I asked if I could carve it on leather. It appealed to me as very symbolic for mental health,
as the waves keep coming as do the days and the sun still pops up over the mountains
to bring light after the darkness. Hence the title ‘Still Rising’.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Into The Void’
Inverted carving on 2.5mm leather, black leather dye.
48 x 58 cm
(For Sale: $800)
Artist’s Context – Leather Carving: Into The Void
I found this picture and just loved the action in the picture. It was the start of intricate painting. I loved the variation
of leaving the ropes only cut with the swivel knife and not dyed. I feel I was slowly learning to go with what feels right.
I sent the photograph of the completed picture to my fellow ARRTS 16.1 friend Adrian Humphries
(https://showcase.geoffgrey.com.au/visual-arts/adrian-humphries/) and asked for help with the title.
He immediately came up with “Into The Void” and I loved it!
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Howdy’
Inverted carving on 2.5mm leather, brown antique
37 x 50 cm
(For Sale: $800)
Artist’s Context – Leather Carving: Howdy
I chose this picture for its character and expression and that it resonates so strongly with me.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Old Man Emu’
Swivel knife cuts and carving on 2.5mm leather with antique
57 x 47 cm
(For Sale: $1500)
Artist’s Context – Leather Carving: Old Man Emu
I just had to carve this cheeky emu! It was extremely intricate with all the swivel knife cuts.
Though the antique-ing over it really made it pop!
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Lotus Scroll’
Inverted & conventional carving on 2.5mm leather, leather dye & Waterstain.
57 x 47 cm
(For Sale: $1800)
Artist’s Context – Leather Carving: Lotus Scroll
This piece was so challenging that it sat traced and cut on my desk for 5 months before
I could get my head around how to carve it effectively. I am extremely happy with the results.
Sally WITT, 2019
‘Waratah’
2.5mm leather, eyelets, plywood kangaroo lacing,
blacksmith’s steel hoop, Waterstain, sealer
90 x 100 cm oval
(For Sale: $4000)
Artist’s Context – Leather Painting: Waratah
For my art exhibition in 2019 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, I really wanted to create a big statement piece.
This idea was inspired by how the American Indians stretched their leather, though with a very modern twist
incorporating the steel (Hoop by Duff’s Engineering, Gatton). It is also a tribute to our Australian heritage with the
Waratah (NSW State Flower) and the 14m of hand plaited kangaroo lacing suspending the leather picture.
Sally WITT, 2020
‘Braided Leather Keychain’
Cow leather, redhide and metal keyring
(Not for sale)
Artist’s Context – Braided Leather: Keyring
Made near Salt Lake City, Utah with my rawhide braiding mentor Shamus Haws.
We did this as a practice piece for the bosalita (below).
Sally WITT, 2020
‘Bosalita’ (work in progress)
Home made cow rawhide
(Not for sale)
Artist’s Context – Braided Leather: Bosalita
Over the duration of a couple of evenings, my braiding mentor Shamus Haws taught me
the steps of how to braid a rawhide bosalita (it goes under a bosal in vaquero style horsemanship).
I was extremely happy with the firmness, consistency and straightness of my braid.
I am still in progress on the heel knot to finish this piece.