Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

This is a collaboration I did a few years ago with John Gallis of Norseman Designs in Cody, Wyoming.

There’s a funny story about these boots; they’re a reproduction of an old Olsen Stelzer design with the last name added. When the lady ordered the boots she said, “I want an oil derrick on the boots because my family was in oil.” And I was thinking to myself, “Gee, I wish my family had thought of that! My family was in… poverty.”

I foresee much skiving in my future.

Whoops, there was one more design inside me.
Whenever people tell me that my designs or sense of color are “feminine” I reply that everything I know about color and design I learned from a grumpy old alcoholic man.

In my shop, this is how I create all of the pattern pieces for an inlaid design. A typical boot top is four panels–two fronts and two backs. Assuming the design is symmetrical, each design element is repeated either four or eight times. Cutting a pattern for each piece ensures that I can repeat it accurately.

OK, I think I’ve drawn all the designs that were wanting to come out. Maybe now I can get some work done.

I’m still playing with designs but now there are two, and a couple more in my head trying to find their way out.

After days of checking in, entering, and putting away inventory, I realized what I needed to cheer me up was to do some sketching.

“Bluebirds Are Singing For Me”