Al Shelton

Al Shelton (June 27, 1920 – March 22, 2016) established the reputation of “Cowboy Artist to the Stars”, creating custom-crafted leatherwork embossed with iconic cowpoke imagery in his workshop on Ventura Boulevard. Among his regular clientele was Steve McQueen, Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable, and many others. Several of his pieces of are featured at the Autry Museum of the American West.

Al Shelton's interest in leather carving began while working as a cowboy in his teens during the tail end of the depression. The parade saddles he would come across featured intricate designs

Shelton spent the next decade learning and refining his craft, working at different saddle shops across the Western United States. and began teaching classes as the Pacific Arts and Crafts.

Following a five-year stint working with Nudie Cohn, Shelton set up his own shop just as the TV westerns were taking off.