National Glass Centre

Mark Rowney, Ireshopeburn, Weardale

Mark works in leather, painstakingly carved and painted. He produces books and wall-based works inspired by this American art form and saddlery techniques. The larger books can take up to 70 hours to make and the smaller ones 40. Mark got his first break producing quilts and leather work for Paul Smith in New York; he also worked in India off and on for three years and became an embroidery expert, working in a factory in Delhi.

"My influences are the bees that sting me, the midges that bite me and the birds that sing so sweetly.
I was born in 1962. With a stick and a pair of wellies I fought many battles in the hayfields and moors of Northern England.

I grew up somewhat whilst being educated at St Martins School of Art in London, after which I was lucky enough to work for many of my favourite publishers, doing art work for Penguin Books, the Radio Times, Homes and Gardens and various BBC publications.

I moved to New York and lived in very small apartments, producing work for the New York Times, Time Magazine and Travel and Leisure. While in America I became interested in leather work and started producing products for the fashion designer Paul Smith on 5th avenue. A fantastic way to meet models.

Life moved on and so did I. Several months spent in an Indian factory designing embroidered soft furnishings. What a beautiful and horrible place.

For many years now I have been living back in the lovely Durham dales where I pursue my love for nature in contemporary art, occasionally I dust off my wellies and sharpen my stick."

'Beautifully Crafted' List of Works

Six Magpies, acrylics on wood panel. Winter 2008
A Wing and a Prayer, carved leather, acrylics and inks. Summer 2008
Large Leather Book, leather, acrylics and ink. Autumn 2008
Medium Book, leather, acrylics and inks. Autumn 2008
Medium Book, leather, acrylics and inks. Autumn 2008

Photo: Colin Davison