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| Since Jason was
old enough to hold a pencil, he drew - horses, dogs, fishermen, cowboys, Indians, and
soldiers. While very young, he developed an interest in the Old West and the American
military. As a teenager, he learned to ride horses and began breaking them for hire when
he was 15 years old. One of his "paychecks" was a yearling Tennessee Walker
colt. In junior high, he took art
lessons from the granddaughter of a famous saddle maker. On a field trip for drawing
subjects, she took him to her grandfather's shop. Exposure to the manufacturing of horse
equipment soon became a distraction to art lessons. It was arranged for Jason to work at
the saddle shop as an apprentice. He soon became immersed in leather work, particularly,
the replication and restoration of antique items. |
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After
high school, his family moved to Idaho. Armed with the knowledge of a horse trainer and
saddle maker, Jason was soon working for cattle ranchers and hunting outfitters in Idaho
and Wyoming. He attended college at Idaho State and worked at a local saddle shop while
school was in session. In his off time, he continued to refurbish and repair old cavalry
saddles and horse equipment to government specifications. His research and exposure to the
evolution of military equipment and history heightened his interest in the military.
Throughout the course of his research, he interviewed numerous veterans. This served to
increase his respect for history and interest in the military. In 1992, he enlisted in the
Marine Corps.
Jason completed a Bachelor
of Fine Arts degree from the University of Missouri and is currently serving on active
duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. |
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