In rodeo, there is an award referred to as the Linderman Award and it is an acknowledgement of a man who is proficient at both ends of the arena. He rides rough stock and does one of the timed events as well. It’s a little like a triathlon for rodeo. There is a guy, artist, craftsman, gear maker, all of the above, but he is proficient at many things. Douglas Krause got his start in the craft by making bull ropes and found himself making ropes for his peers as he was a bull rider himself and then making ropes for several NFR qualifiers in the course of his career.
His story doesn’t end there, he took on an apprenticeship and learned to build saddles, he learned to carve leather, he twisted ropes, he twisted hair to become one of the premier mecate creators of all time, he hitched horsehair, he learned to be a silversmith and is an accomplished horseman and NRCHA competitor as well. My friend and mentor is a multi talented maker.
Douglas has been an influence in the western crafts to many and he has been and continues to be a mentor. He is the guy he needed. He mentored my mentor Andy Stevens who has gone on to do great things in his own right and who was one of the guys who shaped so much of what I do. I feel like a third generation artist. Andy is an accomplished horseman, saddlemaker, leather carver and silversmith as well. He and his family reside around Buffalo, Wyoming on a working ranch.
I first met the infamous Mr. Krause in Elko at the first Gathering of the Masters which was organized by Andy. The artists who were there to do presentations and skilled classes were Andy, Douglas, Steve Meccum, Don Butler, Gaylerd Thissle, Bob Park and cameo appearrances by Eddie Brooks and Pedro Pedrini. I met other artists who had this fire inside them to become craftsmen and women. There were some wonderful inspirations in that room in Elko. Many who have gone onto being quite successful in their own right.
I also had the fortune of meeting Conley Walker, who was an up and coming talent and who has now gone on to be a master as well and another of Douglas’ peers in the business of western functional art.
All of the people who are mentioned here have a commonality in sharing a fire inside that is a passion. It is something that nags and must be at the very least acknowledged and at it’s best it is fed and nurtured and becomes a flame that changes the industry and the way onlookers view western functional art. Forged in fire…
I see such talent and it strikes me that Douglas and other great makers, here, now and before and ones to come later will all be challenged with learning the basics, becoming proficient at their skill and then that incredibly difficult leap to listen to your heart and to pursue the inkling that lies deep within. Find your “You” persue your you and most importantly nurture and polish and cherish and promote your you.
To Douglas and the folks who pursue their “you” and who find satisfaction, completion and best of all contentment and peace. To the trailblazers and the way makers. Thank you hardly seems enough but I salute you. Some part of your struggle makes way for mine.
Leave a Reply