Traditional Skill/Art Craft: Saddle Making Years Awarded: 2018 Contact Information:       Phone: (541)495-2334  Website: http://mckaysaddlery.com/

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Steve McKay is a buckaroo and traditional saddle maker. Working buckaroos around the state of Oregon consider McKay the "go-to" for rugged, functional gear. He first learned his trade of saddle making by repairing all of his own tracks that he tore up riding colts and rough string. McKay also learned some traditional techniques from fellow artist Len Babb II.

Steve built his first saddle in 1991 and started building saddles full-time in 1998. He has built every piece of leather gear that goes on a horse and cowboy except for boots. To meet his production goals, Steve likes to build one or two flower-tooled saddles a year, four or five rough-out saddles, and that many, or double that, in basket-stamped saddles. When he tools, Steve doesn't use pre-made patterns. Instead, he hand draws all his patterns; just an added touch that makes his saddles one-of-a-kind.

APPRENTICE BIOGRAPHY- Warren Clayton Johnson 2018

Warren Clayton Johnson grew up on ranches in Nevada, California, and Oregon and has been working on them since he was a child with his father. Growing up in buckaroo culture he has always had an interest in leatherworking and making his own gear, and before this apprenticeship began making his own tack. His apprenticeship with Steve McKay will be making a saddle form scratch.

Q+A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST