Tony Collins uses wood, steel and cowhide to make western art
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Tony Collins, standing in his shop, points to an example of the framed brands on cowhide he makes. Collins has made about 200 brands, hanging behind him, to make the cowhide wall hangings, signs and other custom items. The branding irons vary from large ones for the wall hangings to small ones for branding steaks before serving. Some of the custom brands he's made are burned on to the board above the rack holding the irons.
Reporter's note: I'm not exactly sure the first time I saw Tony Collins carrying a branding iron, but I think it was at the old "Journal" office. I was quite intrigued with his ability to fashion steel in to the irons that were both useful and artistic. We talked briefly, he gave me a card and I made a mental note to follow up with an interview for a story. Then life intervened and I didn't think about Tony and his Western Arts of Montana business.
Then I saw him at the fair, made another mental note about a story idea...but wrote it down in my notebook this time. Finally, in early March, T...
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