Welcome to Tony Whitecrow's Deerskin Art & Western Collectibles in Taos, New Mexico - Soul of the Southwest - featuring the very finest in one of a kind, custom made Western Clothing Bedding, and Accessories.

The following article by Jai Cross was featured by The Taos News in "Success Stories."

Tony Whitecrow has been a familiar face in the Taos arts scene for the past two decades. The success of his Deerskin Art and Design store has allowed his vision to broaden, and he opened Tony Whitecrow’s Western Collectibles, which features a wide selection of contemporary western art and memorabilia. His first store located in the historic El Torreon Hacienda, a fully restored elegant complex originally constructed in 1847.

His work is all hand made and includes full-length dresses, skirts, jackets, halter-tops, long coats, jean jackets, bags, and purses. Many of the pieces are custom orders, and his extensive clientele includes Alan Jackson, Reba McIntyre, Jane Seymour, Tanya Tucker, and Vanna White. Whitecrow also did the wedding shirt for the “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” wedding double episode.

The old timey pieces are all authentic and intriguing, such as a hand carved furniture, a selection of pawn jewelry from the 50s and 60s, a horsehide coat, cattle branding irons, and original western movie posters.

The contemporary art displayed in Western Collectibles consists primarily of sculptures, oil paintings, silver jewelry, and stained glass. Many of the artists are local talents that Whitecrow has known and collaborated with during his many years in Taos. The Sculpture Room contains unique creations by the highly acclaimed Presley La Fountain who is Turtle Mountain Chippewa, Sharon Dryflower Reyna from Taos Pueblo, and Terry McCaulley from Pilar.

Whitecrow always showcases the art of Andersen Kee, an accomplished Navajo painter and silversmith. Whitecrow has consistently admired Kee’s work since they first met in Taos almost twenty years ago. “Back then, groups of artists would gather at the Taos Inn in the afternoon to tell stories and share information,” said Whitecrow. “Andersen was selling his jewelry in the front courtyard in a store that was only about four feet wide and ten feet long. He makes some of the best art that I have ever seen. We have become best friends, traveled to Europe together, and worked side by side in several motion pictures. He is my closest friend here and was the best man at my wedding. Artists here tend to support one another, and I want to continue in that tradition.”

“Most of my adult life has involved touching the past as well,” commented Whitecrow. “I’m happiest when I’m working, and my soul is connected. I want to live in that time when a man’s word was his bond, when there was excitement, adventure, romance, joy, and innocence. I try to evoke those times in my deerskin work, and I couldn’t have picked a better place for my first store because the Hacienda exudes a calm centeredness, something I associate with the Old West.”

Andersen Kee, Whitecrow, and master printer Jack Lustig recently produced a limited edition of 200 giclee prints of his oil painting “Touching the Past,” which are available at Western Collectibles. This riveting piece portrays a Native American hand touching a buffalo skull as if drawing spiritual force from the whitened bones. The giclees will make Kee’s work more available and accessible to the public. These prints will be hand signed by Kee and include a certificate of authenticity. (More Information)

Whitecrow’s uncles were Italian tailors in downtown Washington, DC, and he undertook a leatherworking apprenticeship when only seventeen years old. He worked as a union ironworker for years, which allowed him to live freely while traveling throughout the United States as a young man.

One day, Whitecrow was sitting in the Gold Pan Bar (Note: This is the oldest bar west of the Mississippi) in Breckenridge, Colorado with the great grandson of “Buffalo Bill” Cody. A guy entered the bar, ordered coffee, and laid out a piece of deerskin on a table. He proceeded to cut out a vest, which he hand sewed together while explaining each step to the small crowd of curious onlookers. When the unfinished vest sold to a bar customer for $200, the guy packed up his tools and bought everyone drinks. Whitecrow was suitably impressed and learned several valuable lessons that day. He eventually settled in Taos where he used his leatherworking hand tools to work with deerskin full time, was embraced by the artistic community, and enjoyed rapid commercial success.

Over the years, Whitecrow has developed a unique style of deerskin clothing and accessories. His work is all hand crafted, and he designs all of his own patterns. Custom orders are a specialty, such as sexy woman’s clothing, men’s gambler frocks, and Buffalo Bill Cody coats. Whitecrow has perfected a technique of hand-cut twisted fringe that has become his trademark. This time consuming detailing imparts an olden look to the clothing and makes each piece into a collector’s item.

“The indigenous people wore deerskin because it is warm in winter and cool in summer,” said Whitecrow. “Unlined skins breathe and mold to your body after wearing them only a couple of times. They can be made to flatter any figure and look good on anyone. My work is very durable and is guaranteed for life. All the pieces that I make are intended to last a long time after I’m gone because deerskin can endure for centuries.”

“My life has been a long and winding road,” Whitecrow recalled, “but I have always tried to maintain values from the past, like integrity, honor, and humor. Those are the ingredients for a good and satisfying life. I’m a simple man, and I just want to do my work, be happy, and see my friends happy. It is a wonderful thing to be in Taos, and everything that has happened to me here has touched my soul.”

“On March eighth, I married the most beautiful woman on the planet,” he continued. “I knew instantly that Jean was the one for me, even though I had given up hope of ever finding her. We have a lot of smiles coming our way. I’m living my destiny, and not many people get a chance to do that. It’s a humbling experience, especially with my darling new wife and my many old friends that still support me.”

Whitecrow’s celebration of life includes listening to live local music with such talents as Cullen Winter, Michael Hearne, Jimmy Stadler, and Raymond Blanchette.

Tony Whitecrow’s deerskin art can also be purchased anywhere in the world through his website. It also contains biographies of the artists currently featured at Western Collectibles.

Also, Please visit his shop at 108A Dona Luz, in Taos, New Mexico, near Taos Plaza.