George Middleman
”After graduating at the University of Colorado, I apprenticed with my father, who has been a life-long artist, sculptor and designer. This apprenticeship included painting and various restoration of historical landmarks such as the D & FTower, Denver’s most famous landmark, which was modeled after a clock tower in Venice.”
”After closing the business due to a slow economy, and with no work prospects, I left for New York City, where I was quickly hired at my first job interview... Suddenly I was working in Wall Street, where I got experience at the biggest firms, such as Merrill Lynch."
"In time, as the New York economy also began to slow down, I began to think of returning to Denver, with its more relaxed lifestyle, as well as the classic cars I had left behind. I decided to bring my favorite Uncle Dave with me from New York as well and this became a huge job as I was the caregiver for him and his wife. After quite a while, a friend pressured me to get away for a vacation, insisting that I needed a break. We went on a road trip to Arizona, where by chance I just happened to see incredible hand-tooled leathercraft in a gift shop in Tombstone... "
"I was immediately fascinated and soon began to search for the old craftsmen, in order to study and learn from the old cowboys and others who have kept this craft alive. I have traveled all over the country to learn more about it, and over the years, as I have become more involved with leathercraft, I have had many prestigious and celebrity clientele as well. While tooled leathercraft was once a common part of people’s lives, most people these days rarely or never see such goods. I think it is great to be helping keep this traditional artwork alive, and especially to be able to expose it to so many who have never had the chance to see it before."
