Artist Statement In the early seventies I spent time with Ron Cline, a relative, who lived in the picturesque town of Ouray, nestled in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Ron did leather work and woodworking and got me started with leather work. I see leather as more than just a functional medium. Although making small, simple pieces makes money, I desire to take leather to a more artistic lane, while still making practical pieces. When custom orders come along, I find the creation of a unique work that pleases the owner is rewarding. Leather is such a diverse medium. I find it hard to repeat my work because there is always a new idea I want to attempt. The leather itself shows its own beauty and personality. No two pieces are the same and no two types serve the same functions, I look at it and visualize its function and usage. Then I attempt to create a distinctive piece and hope it will bring in enough money to create more. The design ideas running around in my mind inspire me to move on to the next work, but it is a challenge to find the time to do everything I desire to do. Usually the leather speaks to me, but sometimes my imagination is stimulated by an item I would like to produce.