Jana Jose-Deopersaud.
82 Mulock Ave, Toronto ON M6N 3C6
jana.joz.j@gmail.com
clara.vrx.palo-alto.ca.us

I have been crafting with leather my whole life, usually using scraps from my mother's sewing box to make accessories. I also repair leather gloves and winter coats. I have been inspired by some of the techniques of Indigenous leathermaking, and wish to create pieces that add to the art while using traditional techniques. My cultural influence are Inuit, because of my time living near Inuit territory and culture. Its important to me as a minority to embrace ancestral techniques, and it would be an honour to work in the materials the Inuit used.

Education
OCAD U Digital Futures 2013-2015

-Made wearable art designs and concepts. charts, diagrams, presentations.
-Thinking out of the box, combining micro-computing with clothes,
-Example: clothes move based on sensor input: light/dark, cold/warm.

Training
Workshop: Beaver Fur and Leather Hat-making, 2015
Algonquin College, Ottawa
-Used provided materials and equipment to create hat under supervision of instructors.

Workshop: tobacco pouch with eagle burn. 2013
Trenton, Ontario
-Ceremonially gifted leather and medicine
-Cut and sewed leather pouch to leather string
-Embossed eagle animal using pyrography pen

Soft skills

Critical thinking
Interpersonal skills
Self-confidence
Detail-oriented
Problem-solving
Communication
Time management
Ability to take criticism


Technical Skills

Basic leatherworking
Knowledge of traditional art materials
Using pyrography pen
Precision pattern cutting
Using leather awl, sewing machine

Projects


Hat, Beaver Fur and Leather Trim, 2015
-Used hat pattern and scrap fur
-Machine and hand stitched
-Lined

Hat, Alpaca Skin and Wool, 2016
-Scrap pieces of raw alpaca skin with fur attached
-Created hat using velcro adjustable attachement
-Double layer of felted wool for the peak.
-Created my own pattern
-Handstitched with thick thread


Leather Hair Tie (pair), 2017
-Made from scrap leather, cut into my own patterns, hand-stitched.

"Wings" 2018
-3D wall-hanging, sculptural art incorporating pigskin suede, leather, and copper wire.
-Suede pigskin contrasts with copper wings, symbolising feathers on a Thunderbird.