The name "A Thousand Rasps" comes from the Icelandic idiom þúsundþjalasmiður, or "smith of a thousand rasps," which is used to describe a jack of all trades. Though I am primarily known for leatherwork, I also do digital and traditional illustration, draw knotwork, write fiction, paint miniatures, and occasionally carve bone and horn buttons for my pouches.

Meet the Artist

Maddock Malys - it/they

Maddock is a self-taught artist from Maryland. They started working with leather in 2008 after thinking "Huh, neat. Maybe I could do that." They graduated from UMBC in 2012 with a BS in computer science, but soon realized that their career needed to focus on creative endeavors.

Maddock is faceblind and has difficulty recognizing people, even friends, so you're encouraged to reintroduce yourself and remind them where and how you met.

The Process

Because my work is hand-tooled, it means I can vary my designs slightly on the fly, resulting in subtle differences that keep them fresh and interesting. Note the differences in the body fill, eyes, and shading in the following serpent designs.
Designs are traced onto the damp leather, then carved with a swivel knife. Small stamping tools are used to create texture and dimension. The leather is colored using custom blended antique gels, which emphasize the contrast.

Care and Feeding

For care information, please click the link below: