Larry Ledbetter

Artist Larry Ledbetter

Artist Bio

Born and raised in eastern Oklahoma of Cherokee heritage in the heart of the Creek Nation.  I have always been drawn to the Native American Art.  My father was a trained boot and saddle maker and I learned some of the skills dealing with leather at an early age.

My leather work did not develop until the mid 70's when I picked up the tools and began making the typical belt, purse and wallet items.  Working with leather only as a hobby I became disillusioned of the same redundant pieces and left my hobby for several years.

My desire to work with the leather in a Native American Art setting seemed to satisfy my passion.  I picked up my tools and began to experiment with the techniques I had learned over the years.  Stretching; embossing and molding leather in a figure form combining this with the typical carving and tooling. 

I still make the occasional wallet or phone case, but my passion is still in the Native American Art.