Art of the Saddle comes to Museum
(Note: This looks like a fascinating exhibit!)
February 21, 2007
Carson Thomas
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The Wickenburg Sun
180 North Washington Street
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390
928-684-5454
Fax: 928-684-3185
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Desert Caballeros Western Museum presents a visual ride through history.
"Art of the Saddle: A Leather Canvas in Miniature" will open Saturday,
March 10.
Fans of western movies and sophisticated scholars of history alike recognize the importance of the horse in the winning of the West. (Humorists often point out that, back in the old days, girlfriends and wives sometimes ran a poor second compared to a favorite Cayuse.) As revered as these four-footed friends were, however, it was the western saddle that made days, even weeks, of riding possible for cowboys, soldiers and outlaws.
Beginning March 10 and continuing through September 2, artful examples of this indispensable gear will come out of history's shadows and into the spotlight at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.
The exhibition entitled "Art of the Saddle: A Leather Canvas in Miniature" will feature half-scale saddles designed and constructed by Wickenburg's Carson Thomas.
"These are functional art forms as well as pieces of history," said Museum Director Royce Kardinal. "Our exhibit will dramatize their significance from the 1830s to present day."
Thomas has a reputation that stands tall in the saddle.
"I was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, and raised in cow camps and saddle shops ranging from Montana's Wolf Mountains to Arizona's Sonoran Desert," explained Thomas. "I apprenticed for five years under my father, who had 50 years of saddle making to his credit. That apprenticeship, plus a lifetime of riding horseback, gave me a solid understanding of building saddles that fit both horse and rider."
Renowned throughout the West and known internationally, Thomas' custom-made saddles are in demand by working cowboys and astute horsemen (including former President Ronald Reagan). At the same time, the saddle maker has become famed for his masterful half-scale saddles and gear. Collectors seek out Thomas' work, with one of his contemporary-style miniature saddles recently selling for nearly $35,000.
The demands of leather as a "palette" -- according to Thomas, the custom-made miniature saddles take the same amount of time to make as a full-size version.
"You're looking at easily 200 hours," he said.
The idea to create miniatures started back East early on. Since saddles at the time were primarily made in the West, they had to be conveyed by railroad, boat and stage, making the full-size versions too unwieldy to transport. To solve the problem "salesman samples" were made half size; that way, six to eight of them could be packed in a hard suitcase or trunk.
"When the saddle is scaled down, I believe that its artistry is even more apparent," Thomas explained. "The smaller size shows off patterns of stamping and carving more effectively."
The Museum's exhibit will consist of a dozen or so miniature saddles and will include versions that would have been used by Texans in the early 1800s, the Plains Indians in the late 1800s and cowboys herding cattle in the early 1900s.
Whatever the style, whatever the era, art and history lovers visiting "A Leather Canvas in Miniature" will be viewing miniature works of art carved and stamped on leather canvases.
"One of the Cowboy Artists of America founders, the late Joe Beeler, described me as a 'saddle artist'," said Thomas. "I can think of no higher praise."
Opening night is March 9.
A complimentary reception will be held for Carson Thomas celebrating the opening of his exhibit on Friday, March 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Museum's Changing History Gallery.
Entertainment will be provided by Kip Calahan.
Reservations can be made by calling the museum at 928-684-2272, Ext. 100.
Copyright 2007, The Wickenburg Sun.
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Additional related information:
Carson Thomas, Saddlemaker and Thomas Auctions and Appraisal
Wickenburg, Arizona
928-684-0238
Source: http://www.wickenburgchamber.com/new-members.asp
And speaking of art, this is one glorious work of art by Bill Owen:
"Renaming His Horse"
http://allaboutacso.com/images/renaminghishorsedigital2.jpg
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Thank you for your interest in Bill Owen and his art, it is greatly appreciated !
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