COMMENTARY

By Dante Campana / Multimedia Producer

It’s important to spend time doing what we love because time is so precious. Trying new activities, tapping into our creativity, and pushing beyond our former limits helps us find ways to grow as individuals and produce work we can proudly call our own.

My inspiration is Michael Campana, an artist who I witnessed hone a craft from its early beginnings. I got a front-row seat to this journey, as he’s my dad.

His leathercrafting hobby inspired me to capture his journey of creation and innovation. Beginning with a limited knowledge of leathercrafting, my dad turned his small goal of making his own watchstraps into a passion project by creating a multitude of leather goods. From card wallets to keychains, luggage tags to leather bags, he allowed the processes he fell in love with to blossom into something much larger.

His excitement over shipments of new leather arriving at our house, him sharing an inspirational leathercrafting video from YouTube with the whole family, and the sheer variety of items he has produced all express the joy that a well-explored hobby can radiate.

I believe this behind-the-scenes look at the process of leathercrafting provides insight into the range of skills that my dad has developed and the efforts that artisans pour into their craft. Seeing the variety of tools, the work processes in action, and the spaces in which people work all culminate to reveal not only the depth and care of these efforts, but also the importance of dedicating time to what we love.