PAUL KRAUSE 

Prescott, AZ
 
pkbootmaker.com
IG: pk_bootmaker
IG: pkbootmaker
 

Paul Krause has been repairing footwear and making boots for more than 45 years, winning awards for his boot-building, shoe repair, and leather work.  Now in his 70s, Paul’s goal is to become competent with the different styles and patterns of footwear. He has continued learning through classes in design and workshops with other established shoe and boot makers. At the tail end of a career in the footwear industry, he fully realizes how profound boots are to people. He strives to bring a personal touch to all of his work, and his experience in repair helps inform his choices as a maker. The axiom to “fit what’s there” is always with him at the bench. 

I have had a 25-year career repairing boots and shoes. Now after these many years of reflection, I realize it gave me a valuable foundation on which to elevate building the best boots that I can. Several of the shops I worked at in those days were in the cowboy country of Northern California. I got to repair a lot of them and fell in love with the art form it represents. But the time wasn’t right to pursue a career as a maker, while my wife and I raised our family. When I retired from shoe repair, we moved to Phoenix, AZ. I spent the next five years working in a factory environment for the premier holster maker in the US, while also creating in my home shop, getting back to my roots from childhood of making leather items for personal use and artistic expression. The art classes I took at the local community college furthered my appreciation of the basic elements of design and led me to an examination of my creative mind.

 When the opportunity came to move to Prescott, my wife and I embarked on another adventure. While forming friendly and supportive relationships with several successful artists in town, and collaborating on some projects, I was also being asked to make Western boots for one person after another. And within three years I had a year-long wait for my bespoke boots. In 2006 I spent some time with boot maker DW Frommer, whose method of boot-making I had been following through his tutorials. That time gave me a launching pad for finding my own voice and style. I continue to stretch myself and test my skills against other boot makers in national shows and competitions, winning some awards for my work along the way. My goal as a maker now is to bring something new into the world and be of creative service to those who want good fit and individual self-expression with their footwear.

HERE  |  Video interview with Paul

 

Black and Tan
French calf uppers, vegetable-tanned cowhide, full Wellington pattern, two-piece design with hand-tooled hops design

Hillbilly Hollywood
Kangaroo uppers, applique with vegetable-tanned cowhide, Tejas pattern, two-piece top seam with collar and pocket trim pieces

Alice’s America
French Calf, vegetable-tanned cowhide, Triad pattern, hand-skived

Opanka Soled Ankle Boots with Fringe

Opanka Soled Slip-on Shoes

The footwear in the exhibition is all bespoke – and therefore custom-made for the customer.  If available, we have provided contact information for you to learn more about how this process works with each of the artists.