John MacLeod's passion for the Wild West started as a boy growing up in the Midwest watching cowboy and Indian movies. Young MacLeod had the hat and the cap guns and when he was about six years old his dad brought him a western leather vest from one of his business trips. MacLeod still has that vest today in his Arizona home.

Encouragement from galleries led MacLeod to turn his considerable talents to the creation of Native American-style pieces with their emphasis on artistry and color. "It gave me a chance to work with different types of leather, such as soft leathers from deer, elk and buffalo, and beads, horsehair, trade cloth, and paints and pigments," MacLeod notes. With all hand-sewing, hand-beading and -painting, MacLeod now works five to six days a week, sometimes in quiet, sometimes with music, sometimes with movies he's seen before playing in the background - encouraging him to look up from the minutia of his endeavors from time to time. Using many traditional methods and materials MacLeod now creates one-of-a-kind Native American-inspired artifacts including ceremonial war shirts, shields, shield covers, horse masks, dresses, and many other items. Depending on its complexity, an item can take from two and a half to four weeks to complete.

We at Black Arrow Indian Art are excited to have John MacLeod's creations as a wonderful addition to our collection. We hope that you enjoy his work as much as we do!

This dress is made with elk skin and features glass seed beads and gorgeous brass spots and brass conchos on hand twisted fringe. There is also an amazing abalone shell disk centerpiece amidst hand beaded details.

The dress measures 36.5 x 39"