"Trimming the Shanks" is a portrait of Ray Dorwart of Guthrie, Oklahoma, one of the last traditional cowboy boot makers. Ray works in a historic workshop with creaky wooden floors, stucco-covered brick walls, and tools that date back to the 1800s (including foot-pedal powered sewing machines). When he takes an order to make a pair of boots, the customer sometimes has to wait for years before they're ready, because Ray does everything by hand and is in such high demand.
When I met Ray, we started spending time together so I could hear his stories and learn about the steps he takes to make a pair of boots. It was months before we were finally ready to begin planning this portrait.
"Trimming The Shanks" was accepted into the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Show, and found its home during the 2018 Once Upon A Time in the West art show in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
For more on Ray Dortwart: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-sGsr3ks4c
newsok.com/article/2547336/these-boots-made-for-working
When I met Ray, we started spending time together so I could hear his stories and learn about the steps he takes to make a pair of boots. It was months before we were finally ready to begin planning this portrait.
"Trimming The Shanks" was accepted into the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Show, and found its home during the 2018 Once Upon A Time in the West art show in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
For more on Ray Dortwart: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-sGsr3ks4c
newsok.com/article/2547336/these-boots-made-for-working
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