Barred S Leatherwork
Sam Humphrey |
Sam was born in Moscow, Idaho and grew up in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. He currently lives in Buffalo, Wyoming with his wife, Cindy, and their two cats. Sam started working with leather at the age of twelve due to his infatuation with the Wild West and the history of the American West. He worked at both Tandy and The Leather Factory when he was in Jr. High and High School. He tooled many leather items such as wallets, purses, saddlebags, and other motorcycle and horse gear. some he made as gifts, others he sold through his own business. He took a hiatus for almost twenty five years while he pursued a career in commercial diving and raised a family. He has recently retired to Buffalo and returned to his leatherwork. He currently co-teaches a leather craft class at the Buffalo Senior Center where he helps others improve their leather crafting skills. He also makes art pieces and other projects out of leather. Almost everything he creates is hand-tooled and all of it is hand-stitched.
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Sam's Statement |
My leatherwork is inspired by my love of the American West. The American Bison is the iconic symbol of the West and I like to incorporate the Bison in my work. I have great respect for the native cultures of America and like to represent that culture in my work also. I think leatherwork should be funned I homey work makes people smile. So much can be done with leather and I really enjoy trying to do different things with the leather. I enjoy introducing people to the art of leather craft and teaching them how to get started with it. Leather work is functional as well as artistic and I want to help keep the art alive. I am inspired by the incredible art work at the Rocky Mountain Leather Show in Sheridan, Wyoming every year. Many of the artists there keep me humble and inspire me to improve my own craft.
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