My colorful cousin Curley Fletcher writer of the cowboy standard, “The Strawberry Roan” and advisor to some early western movies. Boot makers of the 1930s through the 1950s. A tour of Will Rogers’ home when I was in my early 30’s. The clothing designs of Nudie Cohen. The clothes and boots worn by Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry, Buck Owens, Rose Maddox, and numerous country musicians from the same time period. Native American beaded jewelry and dance regalia. Lastly, the flamboyant styles of gypsies, bohemians, and buckaroos.

Because I think that handcrafted fine leather goods are some of the most beautiful creations on the planet. I also love antiques and western style so I began giving antique furniture new life as art furniture with the use of supple leathers, bold colors, & textures, in western themes more than a decade ago. Today I incorporate my love of leather inlay and overlay techniques in the designs of my handbags, belts, wallets, and guitar straps as well as in my furniture designs.

“Painted Ponies,” the chair that I designed for the 2009 Western Design Conference (WDC) in Jackson last September that won “Best of Show”. It is a very special piece to me because Sonny Tuttle of Red Nations Art had invited me to collaborate with him on a piece. He was a kindred spirit that was highly regarded by all of the artists at the WDC and it was a great compliment to me to be partnered with him. In late spring, I purchased his “Spirit Horses” painted shawl to draw inspiration from for my chair design. He was killed in a car accident before we could collaborate so I incorporated his shawl in my piece and it became my tribute to him.