Al Shelton (June 27, 1920 – March 22, 2016) established the reputation of “Cowboy Artist to the Stars”,[1] creating custom-crafted leatherwork embossed with iconic cowpoke imagery in his workshop on Ventura Boulevard.[2] [3] Among his regular clientele was Steve McQueen, Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable, and many others. Several of his pieces of are featured at the Autry Museum of the American West.[1][2][4]
Al Shelton's interest in leather carving began while working as a cowboy in his teens during the tail end of the depression. The parade saddles he would come across featured intricate designs [2] and Shelton attempted to decorate his own saddle in an attempt he said was “ever so humble, hopeless!” [5]
Shelton spent the next decade learning and refining his craft, working at different saddle shops across the Western United States.[5] In the late ‘40s, Shelton moved to Los Angeles and set up shop in the Los Angeles Farmers Market,[1] where hundreds of sight seers daily would watch him work. As his business evolved, he was commissioned to design several patterns and tools for Craftool[6] and began teaching classes as the Pacific Arts and Crafts.[7]
Following a five-year stint working with Nudie Cohn, Shelton set up his own shop just as the TV westerns were taking off.[1] At this workshop on Ventura Boulevard, Shelton spent the next 50 years creating leather belts, guitar cases, director chairs, and a wide variety of other bespoke leather goods for the Hollywood elite.[1][2] In 2004, Shelton's industry contributions were recognized with an Al Stohlman Award for Achievement in Leathercraft.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Hart, Hugh (7 November 2014). "Old school Old West". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d Elliott, Debbie (2007-01-21). "Old West Artist Still Creating in Los Angeles". National Public Radio. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Szymanski, Mike (22 July 2012). "Cowboy Western Artist Al Shelton Honored by Neighborhood Council". Studio City Patch. Studio City. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "Albert Lee Shelton". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Al Shelton's Story". The Leathercrat. 3 (1): 2. 1952.
- ^ Christensen, Wayne; Taylor, Sandi (May 2016). "Al Shelton: A Short Biography". Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "A Profile of Al Shelton". Make It with Leather. 7 (2): 43. November 1981.
- ^ "The 2004 Recipient of the Al Stohlman Award For Achievement In Leathercraft: Al Shelton". The Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal. 14 (4): 77. July 2004.