Lesley Haas, a native of Philadelphia, made her home in Heidelberg, Germany from 1988 until 1996 and again from 1999 to 2000. There she opened her first paper studio. She developed an interest in handmade paper after viewing a comprehensive New York exhibition in which the artworks were made with paper. Her technique and style have been influenced over the years by both ongoing studio work and attending varied workshops. The signature of her work is the use of natural fibers and pigments from various parts of the world blending the characteristics of the fibers with different elements of style. Handmade paper can be formed by using a myriad of plants, producing the most delicate of papers. A rough deckled edge exposes the raw textured beauty of what has always drawn her to using paper as her main art medium. Paper dresses, scrolls and recycled paper art can be found among her artworks. As an extension of her papermaking Haas has created numerous objects from vegetable papyrus.