Story/Pics: T-Bone
If you have been to any motorcycle event recently across the country, you most likely have seen the work of Duane Ballard. Duane is an artist who’s canvas is the hide of the bovine variety. In the fine art world, artists complain about their patrons wanting art to match their couches where they plant their asses. In Duane’s world the patrons actually plant their asses ON his artwork. If not on the custom leather seats of their scooters, then stuck in their back pockets as bitchen wallets.
I caught Duane in his studio beating a design out for a custom wallet. I asked him, why leather work? What got you started in this business?
It’s a family affair.
As a kid the family moved to Phoenix. While exploring the new house he found a box of leather working tools in the attic. Come to find out his mother and grandmother used to do leatherwork. They taught him the techniques and he would create leather masterpieces for his friends and family which grew to the full-time business he supports his family with today. He still has some of those tools as well as some tools his grandmother had passed down to him.
With friends and fans the world over his work is actually rather lonely. He is content in his studio working his artful craft listening to old punk music with plenty of inspiring artwork and articles on the walls.
However, just steps away from the studio is his garage.
Balls deep in the custom motorcycle universe, Duane has a bitchen Honda Chopper “Funkenstein” that he built 5 years ago with a modified 750 SOHC four that he rides all the time. You may have seen the second bike he built, “Pink Taco”. Both Funkenstein, and Pink Taco were guests at the Mooneyes Yokohama show in 2010. Interesting that the promoters were a bit nervous to send a pair of Honda Choppers in the predominately HD custom bike show. They were well received and publicized in many magazines.
Also sitting in his garage are the bones of his son’s Café Racer. He and his boy are building this bike together to his son’s specifications. I can say it’s really cool to work in the garage with your boy. I’m sure late nights of laughs, excitement, frustration, AND many great experiences to share for a lifetime.
Check out his website, blog and Facebook page for more about Duane Ballard Custom Leather. I know I’m inspired. When you make contact, be sure to tell him Blacktop Magazine sent you. www.DBCustomLeather.com
PS: Check out our video of Duane at work beating a Bad Mother Fucker wallet.