"My work combines traditional leather working methods and tools with innovative techniques to create hand-stitched leather art that is truly unique. I make a variety of functional and decorative leather items with designs influenced by the tradition and artistic elements of many ancient cultures.

By hand, I mark, punch and then sew each piece ensuring strong construction and durability. For beaded works, I first graph the image. Then, I loom the beaded panel, reinforce it, and then sew it to the leather. For tooled works, I first draw or trace a line image onto the leather, then I moisten the leather and cut each line with a swivel nife. Then with a rawhide mallet and a series of different sized, shaped and textured tools, I hammer the impression into the moistened leather. My beaded and tooled designs are both original and adapted from traditional and primitive art.

I use contrast and gradation of varying colors and textures for the more decorative aspects of my designs. Other properties such as thickness, hardness/flexibility and durability are considered in the construction of each work. These properties of the leathers are determined mostly by the tanning and dying processes along with the natural properties of the hides. Most of my hides come from North American steer and Rocky Mountain mule deer.

I live in Boone, North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I work out of my home (preferably on the front porch). I show work in fine art and craft galleries and juried shows around the country. I welcome custom inquiries and will be glad to answer any questions you have about my work.