GrayHallidayJr

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Thanks, everyone! I'm mostly self taught and am actually trying my best to mimic traditional Sheridan style carving. I'm just making it up as I go, and not very good at it. But people seem to like the goofy, flawed results. So, I'm just going with it, claiming that I've got some clever "style" that I'll elaborate extensively upon some day in some grandiose, narcissistic artist's statement... (sarcasm) Mentioned before that I was a "pen" and "pencil" artist prior to finding leatherwork. I wear out pen nibs and break pencil tips all of the time, always pressing so heavy against the paper. Always a heavy handed artist. Interesting that the same pressure applied in my leatherwork is noticed. Thanks, Stetson, for the clarification regarding the Ranger style buckle vs. Ranger style belt. The Ranger style belt is beyond my limited capabilities with the sewing machine. Maybe I'll get to it eventually. Thanks again for all the encouragement! I really appreciate it.

My first attempt with a Ranger style buckle, some sterling picked up at the market in Guadalajara.

Really nice!

I'm using dyes, inks and blended antique stains. Sometimes I mix in a little beer, coffee or scotch. Thanks, Battlemunkey. Much obliged!

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely try them out.

Thanks, Bill! Really appreciate it. And thanks for the "bar grounder" intel. There's still so much of me to learn, including the names of the tools I've been using!

A craftool pro. I've got the 4 hole and the 3 hole, bubble? Bump? The length measurement, is what I'm trying to say. Thank you! Fantasy. Art indulges imagination. It makes me very happy when other people like it. Thanks, Boss! Quick question: A while back Tandy ran a special on saddle skirt hides for $99. I got three and am down to the last of it. It's been so tough to strip, split and carve. Glad to be finished with it. I think if I want to get better I have to invest in a better quality hide. Any hide source recommendations beyond Hermann Oak? - I know they're good. There are several options just from sponsored ads on this page. I prefer a lighter color veg tan finish- the lighter the better.

Nice work! I am just finishing off the last of three discount $99 saddle skirt hides from Tandy. They've been really difficult to work with, enough so that I'm finally splurging on some higher quality hides from another source.

It's some kind to tribute to Jack the Ripper, titled SLASHER, for the guitarist that stabs instead of strums. It's only Rock n' Roll. Neoprene lined backing.

Thank you. Heard it was a great time! Bad luck that Chris broke his back days before. I suspect he endured some teasing. If he had broken his back a few days earlier, I would have made one of those weightlifter belts for extra support!

A custom order.

Cool!

I like that a lot!

Thank you for the kind words. Learning is a process, one I'm enjoying. 1. My artistic style has always been the same since I was a kid. I was a skater in Phoenix and was as influenced by volunteering at the Heard Museum as I was by the graphic artists doing skateboard decks. My influence is some combination of Jim Phillips, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Lon Megargee, Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse. I love Fritz Scholder. I grew up in the West. The West is changing. Western art is changing. 2. Every once in a while I fall asleep happy, satisfied with a workbench pursuit. 3. There are less healthy ways to obsess. I'll be in the garage...

Yes, it is a lot of work for a keychain. People spend a lot of money on their car. They carry keys everywhere they go. Why not spend some money on something that reflects your car, home, personality or sense of humor?

The latest outlaw keychain I did done, #020. Draw, Yuh Coyote!

Super cool!

Thanks, Fellas! I'm working on a stream-of-consciousness, freehand, no-plan carving technique. Sometimes the result is, uh, not traditional.

Wow!