Autumn is here, and it’s time to sweep your lawn of any leafy mats.
But Aasen Stephenson would take a rather different view — because he collects the fallen foliage to carve intricate, patience-testing designs.
Northampton, 41-year old artist collects fresh-fallen sycamore leaves during autumnal walks before pressing them for approximately a month.
The pen is used to draw the lines, and then he creates spellbinding designs with simple tools like a scalpel.
Northampton’s 41-year old artist collects freshly fallen sycamore leaf leaves during autumnal walks, before pressing them for approximately a month.
Mark them with a pen. He then creates his magical designs by using simple tools such as a scalpel or cutting mat.
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His creations have even caught the eye of legendary fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who commissioned 28 of Aasen’s intriguing works
Leaf blower: This is a child holding onto their brolly during a stormy scene
Fine-boned: A spooky skeleton design
You must practice patience to ensure that delicate leaves don’t fall apart.
Aasen said: ‘They can crack and crumble at any moment and then you have to start again.
‘I work all the designs around the veins so it all holds together. I love doing them.’
In design, an artist may choose to alternate between beautiful spiral patterns and inspiring quotes.
His top carvings come to life when held to a light source and include skeletons, squirrels and very apt quotes such as, ‘I fell for you’.
His creations have even caught the eye of legendary fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who commissioned 28 of Aasen’s intriguing works.
He added: ‘They are a pleasure to make and it’s great that people ask me to make them. It’s always fun to see how much work you can put into a simple leaf that’s just fallen to the floor and that otherwise would rot away.’
You’re a squirrel! A wonderful design that will warm Beatrix Potter fans hearts.
For the Armistice, a moving illustration of a fallen comrade
