An interest in working hides into historically correct pieces of western art has led Keri DeWitt on a somewhat circuitous path to contemporary western design.   Recruited as a NCAA Division one basketball player, she used her scholarship to study mechanical engineering.  She started creating pieces from brain tanned leather while on hiatus from college to care for her ailing father.  

During that time she learned how to brain tan, bead and create garments that were used in American history both by the Indians and Revolutionary Army.  Not only did she find a way of expression that helped her through many tough hours of owning a software company that serviced entertainment industry, but she found her calling as an artist.  

Keri thoroughly researches each and every piece that she sets out to create.  She scrapes and tans her own hides, sews with sinew, beads, punches the holes and paints with authentic tools (or as close as she can come to them) to create historically correct pieces in a contemporary design."Brain tanned leather remains superior to all other leather. It is chemical free, 100% natural and safe. It breaths better , is washable, and is stronger and softer than commercially tanned leather," says Keri of her favorite medium.    

Keri’s life includes Rendezvous and the Clear Water Horse Party of Idaho.  She continually creates authentic clothing and accessories, not only for herself to use on pre 1840’s pack trips, but also to wear every day.  Her techniques are painstakingly researched and applied with fascinated detail.

“Keri’s work is meticulous and of unimaginable quality,” says Thea Marx founder of ContemporaryWesternDesign.com, “Each piece is fit for a museum, but you could wear it to dinner at a five star restaurant and look fabulous.”

See more of her work at Wind River Trading Company.