Monday, August 06, 2018

Will Ghormley's Old West Cowboy Leather art


Will Ghormley pulled double duty during Friday evenings "Art at the Museum" event on the Lucas County Historical Society Museum campus. On the one hand, he entertained young and old alike with harmonica music and tales of harmonica trees down on the Otterbein Church patio.


On the other, his extraordinary "Old West Cowboy Leather" art was on display in the Perkins Gallery, guarded by museum volunteer LaNelle Herron who, occasionally, had to remind guests to admire but not to touch.

Will practices his art, also his principal occupation, from a workshop at home on North Grand Street in Chariton, and it takes many forms.

The carved leather painting at the top celebrates the founders and early days of Hy-Vee, Chariton's principal industry and largest employer. Portraits of founders Charles L. Hyde and David M. Vredenburg flank a depiction of an early semi-tractor and trailer used to distribute groceries by the Chariton Wholesale Grocery Co., one of Hy-Vee's early incarnations.

Cowboys and cowgirls of all degrees of aspiration were fascinated by Ghormley's work related to the entertainment industry. I'll just transcribe here the cards Will provided to explain what was going on in each instance:


SHANE: This is a reproduction of the holster and gun belt worn by Alan Ladd as Shane in the 1953 movie of the same name. The gun rig was commissioned by a collector in collaboration with Alan Ladd's son, David Ladd. It is the most accurate recreation of the famous "Shane" rig ever manufactured. Details overlooked by many craftsmen were identified by Ghormley while researching the project. The conchos and buckle are probably of Navajo origin. The reproductions are cast in solid silver. The belt is stamped with a pebble grain texture matching the texture on the belt of David Ladd. The 1873 SAA revolver has been modified to duplicate one of the weapons used by Ladd in the movie. The front sight has been removed to keep it from hanging up on the lip of the holster while being drawn. The trigger has been removed and the gun can only be fired by "fanning" the hammer.


RAMPAGE: Will Ghormley was approached by Prop Master Mychael Bates to design a gun rig for Jeffrey Dean Morgan as "Agent Russell" in the 2018 movie "Rampage" starring Dwayne Johnson. They were specifically looking for a rig with Texas swagger (the character Russell was from Texas), and that looked as if Russell had been carrying for 20 years. Gormley is know in the industry for his "aged and distressed" gear. Bates had an "old west turn-of-the-Century" holster in mind, but wanted Ghormley to make something fancier to match Agent Russell's Fancy Colt Commander. Ghormley made a prototype with the wide toe but thought a narrower toe would work better. Making an identical hoster with a narrow toe and photographing them side-by-side, the production company chose the narrow toe version (with multiples made for stunt doubles). Ghormley gifted the original wide toe holster to Bates, who then had Agent Russell wear it in the final scene of the movie. Watch for it!


TOMBSTONE: This is a reproduction of the holster and gun belt worn by Michael Biehn as historical figure "Johnny Ringo" in the 1993 Western "Tombstone." The gun rig was commissioned by two collectors using detailed museum photos of the original rig used in the movie. Both individuals had purchased "reproductions," only to be disappointed in the quality and authenticity of the work. They then approached Will Ghormley to make accurate reproductions. The unique conchos on the original rig were not commercially available so Ghormley reproduced them by carving them in wax. They were then cast in solid silver by a foundry in Albuquerque (all of Ghormley's hardware is made in America!). Ghormley's reproduction has been accepted as the most authentic replica of the "Ringo Rig" and his patterns and conchos for the rig are the standard for those who wish to replicate it.


THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD: After providing three authentic Texas saddles for Disney's 2004 movie "Alamo," starring Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, Will Ghormley was approached to produce reproductions of Jesse James's holster for the 2007 movie, "The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford," starring Brad Pitt as Jesse James. Ghormley researched and engineered a nearly exact reproduction based on museum photographs of the gun rig James was using when he was murdered. In the early years of cartridge ammunition, the cartridge loops on the ammo belts were deep enough to protect the fragile cartridges. The production company didn't like the authentic cartridge belt and opted for a belt with a similar look but without the deep cartridge loops. Ghormley's left hand was in a cast after surgery, making it difficult to work. He carved seven holsters and sent them to the set to be assembled.

The items on display at the museum on Friday formed only a small sample of Ghormley's work. A better idea of his range can be obtained by visiting his web site, "Will Ghormley - Maker; Old West Cowboy Leather."

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