The vision for this Buffalo Spirit shield came about while exploring the buttes and bluffs of the historic Voigt Ranch along the cannon ball river, bordering the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Rich with Native American and ranch life history, it has been inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall Of Fame. Chip has made many foot and horse back journeys through this timeless country capturing deer, antelope and buffalo on her sketch pad and camera. Many song and game birds along with the golden eagles, owls, and hawks were a special inspiration for this art piece. The Buffalo Spirit Shield is carved out of cow and deer hide, adorned with leather carved feathers, horse tail hair, buffalo hump fur, arrow heads and claws, creating a strikingly textured visual prairie art piece.
Chip has combined fine art and leatherwork with a western theme for over 40 years. She graduated with a commercial art degree while studying fine art & saddle making. Chip has studied with leather artists from Germany, Australia, Europe and the US. She has won numerous first place and people’s choice awards including best of class divisions and best of show at Fine Art and International Leather Guild shows throughout the US.
Chip and her brother own Interstate Western Works store west of Mandan for 28 years. She also teaches leather art and does commissions. She currently lives west of Mandan with her husband Tom & numerous critters.
