Lisa Sorrell’s dedication to learning the craft of bootmaking and her flair for design has established her as a master bootmaker. Her work offers fresh ways to examine the art of the cowboy boot within the context of heritage and tradition. She creates dialog through interplay of color, texture and technique, preserving tradition and keeping consistent with pioneers of the craft by interpreting vintage designs in contemporary and modern ways.
She was raised in southwest Missouri in a conservative little church where the women all wore long hair and long dresses. Her mother began teaching her to sew when she was 12 and by age 15 she was making dresses for ladies in her church. She married in 1990 and moved to Oklahoma, where she answered an ad in the local newspaper looking for someone to “stitch boot tops.” Although she had absolutely no idea what that meant at the time, within a few weeks of discovering the craft of cowboy boot making, she realized she’d found her calling.
Lisa has won many awards for her work at competitions throughout the United States, as well as Germany and the Netherlands. In 2011 she was a featured artist on the PBS series “Craft in America.” She’s been featured in multiple magazines, from “Cowboys and Indians” to “American Craft,” and her work is in Tyler Beard’s books “The Art of the Boot” and “Cowboy Boots,” and Jennifer June’s book “Cowboy Boots: The Art and Sole.” She’s also the author of the first book ever written that documents the way art is traditionally created on cowboy boot tops. “The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay” is published by Schiffer Publishing and was released in June of 2016.
I like your new site. It looks great.
Bret
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Thank you! It’s my first WordPress website and it wasn’t easy for me. 🙂
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Hi Lisa , Your work is so fantastic , I love the story of how you got started . I had seen you on PBS years ago and didn’t get your name ,when I saw you on last Saturday I was sure to write your name down .
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I was drawn to your webpage by an article I saw on former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wearing a pair of your boots. I very much enjoyed seeing all the beautiful boots you have on display. Much continued success to you.
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Thank you!
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Hi Lisa, I am thrilled to have found you, back sharing your gifts. You are a tremendous inspiration and a gifted artist – not to mention the entrepreneur and educator I aspire towards being. Your values and passion in all you do is contagious. I have several copies of your book and have used your video tutorials to enhance what the book reads. I am not a boot or shoe maker but am a leather worker, artist and creative teacher. Your mastery – particularly skiving techniques, will take my art to a whole new level. Sincerely yours, Nelusha
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Nelusha,
Thank you so much!
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Hello Lisa, I came across you name while preparing an article on the history of cowboy boots for a equestrian magazine here in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). I find your work absolutely breathtaking ! And the fact that you appreciate and defend the historical aspect of your craft is quite commendable. I just read your Q&A section and couldn’t stop shaking my head…I work with the public also (albeit in a different domain) and find certain demands of clients quite similar…clients are not so different wherever they shop ! loll
Anyway, just wanted to let you know I appreciate your talent. I will never be able to afford one of your creations, but its good to know such high quality products are still being created by artisans.
Congradulations and good luck with your business and your craft.
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Thank you!
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