Maverick Style: Inspired by the West

The Art of Found Objects

I have been following the work of Brad and Sundie Ruppert from Vintage Sculpture for a few years now, and I am excited to feature their pieces on Maverick Style! Brad and Sundie are Iowa based artists who create sculptures and home decor items out of found and recycled objects. You will notice right away that their pieces are whimsical, rustic, and usually very colorful!

Vintage Scuplture began in 2000 when Brad and Sundie's son Tucker came home with a Thanksgiving assignment to make a turkey as a family. Tucker decided to make his turkey out of the vintage ceiling tin that his parents were making into boxes and selling at the local farmer's market. The family worked together to create the ceiling tile turkey, resulting in a "A" grade for Tucker and five orders from teachers and parents for more!

That second grade class project led to a business creating and selling art fashioned out of cast off and vintage materials, the truest form of recycling! Brad and Sundie find inspiration for their art almost anywhere, from pieces of metal found on the street, vintage treasures found in antique stores and flea markets, and fine art museums.

Brad and Sundie's most recent body of work features icons they have admired throughout their lives. They are reaching back to their roots and childhood memories, and combining drawing, carving, and their love for found objects to create this collection of very large and impressive pieces. The spectacular "Just a Pinch Between Your Cheek and Gum" Mirror (left) is a commission piece for Ryan Vaughan of Rios of Mercedes. It features tabacco cans from Ryan's personal collection that he started back in the 90's. "Tatonka" (right) feaures a large buffalo and is one of my favorite Vintage Sculpture pieces. Unfortunately for me, it found a home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming last week. I must admit, however, that Jackson Hole is a perfect place for this wonderful work of art.

If you want to see more, visit the Vintage Sculpture website for a list of galleries and shops that carry Brad and Sundie Ruppert's work, as well as their complete show schedule for 2013. Some of their upcoming shows include the Marion Arts Festival in Marion, IA on May 18, the Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery Show in Austin, TX on June 16, the Des Moines Arts Festival in Des Moines, IA June 27 - 30, and the Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver, CO July 5 - 7.

The Vaquetta Collection

I am a huge fan of Leaders in Leather Handbags, and I am excited to let you know about their new Vaquetta Collection. The minute I saw these new Leaders in Leather Handbags I was hooked! It took Leaders in Leather years to perfect the vegetable tanned Vaquetta leather by using dying agents that give it the vintage look of an heirloom passed down from generations. The new tooling features and distinctive whirlwind pattern are unique to this collection.

Featured below are three popular styles of handbags from the new Leaders in Leather Vaquetta Collection. The Vaquetta Tooled Flap Cross Body Handbag #3806 (left, $200) is 12" X 10.75" and is shown in the Turquoise color. The Vaquetta Tooled Tote with iPad Pocket #3813 (center, $250) is one of my personal favorites. It is shown in Yellow and measures 15" X 15" X 11".  I also love the Vaquetta Tooled Cross Body Handbag #3816 (right, $165) which is 8.75" X 1" X 11" and is shown in the Mushroom color.

The Leaders in Leather Vaquetta Handbags are available in a variety of of styles and colors including Yellow, Natural, Mushroom, Turquoise, Canary, Pink, Teal, Forest, Oxblood and Slate. The styles and colors featured below and are currently in stock and can be ordered directly from Maverick Style. In fact, you can order any style or color of handbag produced by Leaders in Leather from Maverick Style.

If you are interested in purchasing a Leaders in Leather handbag, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to place your order. Free shipping is available on all handbag orders. You can see more current styles of Leaders in Leather handbags on the Maverick Style Accessories Page.

New Location Grand Opening

I have visited the Wright's Indian Art website on several occasions. However, I was not aware that Wright's Indian Art is the oldest continuously operating Indian art gallery in Albuquerque. Recently Wright's moved to a new location in Encantada Square, and they will commemorate this new location and their 106th anniversary with a festive celebration during Mother's Day weekend, May 11 - 12, 2013.

The weekend celebration will begin on Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 AM with a ceremonial blessing by a Native medicine man and a ribbon cutting. Entertainment will include flute playing by sculptor/musician Adrian Wall, dancing by World Campion Hoop Dancer Nakotah LaRance, an informal fashion show by Navajo designer Penny Singer, and more. You will not want to miss the trunk show of vintage jewelry and fetishes by Southwest Zuni Connections, a special appearance by Navajo master jewelers Carl and Irene Clark with their legendary micro-mosaic jewelry, and artist demonstrations by potters Maxine and Dominique Toya, and pastel artist Alice Yazzie.

An Indian Artist Market will take place in the parking area, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet and buy directly from more than forty leading artists, including jewelers Jennifer Curtis, Marian Denipah, Don Dewa, Natasha Peshlakai Haley, Tommy Jackson, Al Joe, Steve LaRance, Eric Othole, Myron Panteah, Norbert Peshlakai, Charlene Sanchez Reano and Lyndon Tsosie, Zuni fetish carvers Lena Boone and Herbert Him, kachina carver Wilmer Kaye, potters Caroline Elliot, Glendora Fragua, Bernice Naranjo, Dusty Naranjo, and Kathleen Wall, painters Silvester Hustito and Chris Peshlakai, and sculptors Adrian Wall and Kathy Elk Woman Whitman (artists subject to change).

A highlight of the weekend celebration is a Silent Auction honoring all of the Native artisans who have supported Wright's Indian Art over the years, and benefitting First Nations Community Healthsource, a private nonprofit organization that serves the local urban Native population as well as other underserved populations, such as the homeless.

Wright's Indian Art features a vast array of American Indian jewelry, including the Darrel Dean Begay cuff, Arland Ben bolo tie, and Delbert Vandever satin finish squash blossom necklace below left, pottery, such as the Caroline Carpio Carved Kiva Pot below center, paintings, such as Sheldon Harvey's "Crow Composition" below right, as well as sculpture, fetishes, kachinas, folk art, masks and textiles. The Grand Opening and 106th Anniversary Celebration is an ideal time to visit this historical gallery and see the best the Native American community has to offer.

Follow the Wright's Indian Art Facebook Page for more details regarding this extraordinary weekend event. You can also visit the Wright's Indian Art website to view their extensive collection and make purchases online.