True West Artistry of the Heath Family
Custom Leather Designer, Sherri Shelton Heath, is the creator of "Quill Painting". She discovered it while sitting around an open campfire with a knife tip, earth paints and scrap leather. In 1989 she obtained a Federal Copyright for her artwork and has been doing leatherwork since early childhood . Although Tsalagi-CHEROKEE, by blood, her lifetime has been spent under the direction of many different Nations, primarily the with the Plains and Southwest Indian influence. She has been honored with the teachings of Quillwork, Beadwork and pottery. Her own Quill painting is titled from its resemblance to Native American quill work. The artwork involves a careful and precise burning technique with the added application of hand mixed dyes and paints. The colors are always "old world, earthy" colors. The end result creates a textured effect. It could never surpass the beauty of actual quill work or beadwork, but it comes pretty close in the look. It WILL, however surpass in longevity under any stress or wear.The items, from custom leather clothing which the patterns are of her own creation, accessories, Collectable handmade leather Dolls, Fancy Rodeo Western hats, to home furnishings which are all hand stitched ( with a trademark flat stitch of her own for extreme durability) , hand laced, and hand painted. Some of their worked can be viewed at their permanent showroom called BLUE SKIES MERCANTILEin Cherokee, Texas, on Hwy 16 in the Texas Hill Country as well as Col. Crows Trading in Llano, Zapotec Art Gallery in Houston. (During the Spring, the drive alone is worth the time)Because of worldwide demand for her custom work, she is also accompanied by her family, which are also artists in their own right. Her husband creates unique antler and leather work such as fancy quirts and beaded medicine bags. Their son Blue does custom leather braiding and leather tooling to fancy up western hats. The work has been purchased by many entertainers, seen in movies and WILD WEST SHOWS. The art has appeared in books and magazines,( Cowboys & Indians , SASS reference books and mags, travel guides ). Several dolls were purchased for the US CHILDRENS MUSEUM of the 19th CENTURY, San Diego, Clothing at Bill Berman's Movie Museum, Solvang California, Silver Saddle Entertainment, Bransom Missouri for their Buffalo Bill Wild West Characters , Maverick Trading Post Ft Worth,to mention a FEW. She was listed for several years in the Texas Film Commission for her Leather costume design / construction and for the use of many of their own personal props. Was a long time dedicated Buckskinner and ONCE the Mayor of "No Name CITY". Her most current work involves painting Murals, Western & Victorian flair on the walls of Col. Crow's Trading post in Llano and a "Jungle Room" in Fort Worth. The HEATH FAMILY strives for perfection and uniqueness, to create not just art but heirlooms to pass down for generations to come.... and always with honor and respect of the TRUE WEST at heart.
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