Introducing: “The Seeker”

I made this pair of boots many years ago for a client who continually challenged me to try something new, and I will forever be grateful to him. I firmly believe that you don’t truly understand a concept or a craft if you only know What to do or What to think; it’s when you begin to know Why that you approach mastery. The design deviates from traditional cowboy boot construction, and at the time I made them I only dimly understood cowboy boot patterning. I muddled my way through it, figured out some things along the way, and took one more step on the road to understanding Why.

The second image shows the hand-drawn sketch he sent. He was fussy about details but I do love working for a client who has the ability to tell me exactly what they want. It’s clients who want something in particular but are completely unable to articulate it other than, “Not that” who are a challenge.