Over the years, I have approached fine craftsmanship as a process…a journey of refinement. There has been an ongoing, deliberate effort to make the next saddle better than the last. It is a study of integrating function and art, the two ideals at the heart of fine craftsmanship. This commitment has required a certain amount of sacrifice, but it has produced work that is continually evolving and growing. As I operate within this context, you will find that my process is slower than many. I produce fewer saddles in a year’s time than most folks who are making a living at it. In the end, I have a fewer number of customers to keep track of, who can be assured that the work I do for them will have my full attention.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many saddlemakers who have gone before me, some of whom I’ve had the privilege to learn from directly. I’d also like to thank my contemporaries, and the great artists/craftsmen within the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. Their dedication, creativity, and friendship have made a difference in my work and in my life.