Cultural Community: Cowboy
Artform: Rawhide braiding
Residence: Central Idaho

Bio: Growing up on remote ranches in Missouri most of his life helped Jeff to acquire an interest in making horse and cowboy gear, particularly braidwork. Learning from his father and from instructional books, most of his early work was used on his family’s ranch or given to neighboring ranchers, which gave him ideas on improving functionality and eye appeal. Moving to Salmon, Idaho in 1985, he started producing quality saddles and braidwork. His work has been collected and shown by western art shows, galleries, and museums. Jeff has also given demonstrations at the Sacajawea Heritage Center in Salmon. He constantly challenges himself to make better pieces, and to branch out from traditional to contemporary designs. He is always open to events that will give others more knowledge of the work he does as a traditional horse gear maker. According to Jeff, “Rawhiding is like any other craft or art. You only get out of it what you put into it.”

Honors/Awards: 2008, Master, Idaho Commission on the Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

For Services Offered, Availability and Costs, please contact the artist.

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