Well, of course I'm MUCH younger than you gentlemen, so I haven't experienced the rivalry or prejudice between the disciplines. I get just as awed by looking at Bob's carving as I do the handstitched at 12 to an inch or fancy seat you sit on when riding a horse.
One thing I have noticed with our members is all the crossover. Many of you make knives, tools, are luthiers, farriers, do wood projects, maybe gunsmiths, stained glass artists, painters, metalsmiths, pottery, whatever caught your artistic attention. Some of you are experts at combining skills- I'm thinking of the Stangers with wood and leather and Jeremiah Watt with saddles and silver and the like.
It's great that The Art of the Cowboy is recognizing the whole scope, and adding a carving category will make old Bob ramp it up a notch. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Bob and Casey in Wickenburg (they live a mile apart somewhere near Phoenix) and they patiently answered all my newbie questions with the dignity and class I've noticed all the real cowboys have. (I met a bunch more of them in Wyoming!)
I think it's important that we as a community sponsor events and shows like this, or the people who take the time to produce them won't want to bother, and we would all be poorer for that. Trade shows, art shows, guild shows- not only do they give us a chance to learn from our peers and get inspired to improve, but they bring us together in fellowship. Many of us work as loners, and it's good to make friends and get fresh ideas.
Johanna
PS
I'd also like to point out that Bob Park is very brave. In February Mrs. Park decided she wanted his tapadero lamp in her living room, and I know for a fact right now it's sitting in Lee's Hermann Oak's office right now looking pretty. If my old man would have done that...well, it wouldn't have been good. He should have given the Mrs. that first one and made another for display, but I guess he likes living dangerously. If I could buy that lamp I wouldn't let the dog or the kids breathe on it. Pictures don't do it justice. It's one of those things you won't get tired of looking at. The lamp was in Sheridan, and I thought about smuggling it to the rightful owner, Mrs. Park, but everyone was enjoying it too much. Plus Lee is a really nice guy. I did take detailed pics, Mrs. Park, in case you want an exact duplicate. muhahahaha
(luv ya Bob!)