A.J. Leibengeist
A.J. (Alexander Johann) Leibengeist is the pseudonym for David Alan Holding (DAH). Thunderchild and Leibengeist have been characters I've had since the 1970s.
Thunderchild comes from Orson Welles' “War of the Worlds”, specifically, from the musical version by Jeff Wayne and the Moody Blues. Leibengeist is a character name I made up for role playing games back then.
The changing of the Mayan Calendar, last Era also brought the changing point for entering the Retirement Phase of Life! It's the point where I could start to focus on being serious about my hobbies and pursuits.
I was born as “Baby Boy Feather” in Oklahoma City, Okla. I'm a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.
I was adopted outside the Family and Tribe and raised in Oklahoma City. I got to spend several early years engaging in art and science programs at the Kirk Patrick Planetarium at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. It was there, I created and sold My first artwork.
The High school years were in private schools and afforded the opportunity for competing in various areas, including art competitions at the regional and national levels. It was during this time that I got to explore and create in a wide variety of styles. Sketching is pretty much always a part of something. Macramé hangers and leather goods like weight-lifting belts, cases and motorcycle saddle bags were some of his early sales as Startbound Enterprises (which also served as a front for AmWay).
After high school, the number of irons in the fire that I was juggling soon accumulated, full-time work with overtime, pursuing various college interests, creating custom made items for customers, competitive athletics, still playing music at a restaurant most nights,...etc. , just spread things a bit thin. So, in 1985, to get a better focus on a career path and college, I enlistment in the Navy, seemed a good idea. Scheduled to ship to boot camp in one year.
During My two Navy enlistments, I earned two classifications: Anti-submarine Warfare Technician (AX) and a Radioman (RM) serving as the Chief Operator at the Military Affiliate Radio System, “MARS CHOP” station in Millington, Tennessee. I got to use My talents in various projects.
While in the service, I got My first motorcycle and sewing machine. A good sewing machine sure beats hand stitching for large projects (did a lot of hand stitching before that point).
Having custom gear tends to generate requests for custom work. “The only stamp or mark I had at the time was my crest signature, which I had to do by hand. Later, I had Tandy Leather make a little leather stamp of my Name...... Leather goods got stamped if they could and art got my crest and or initials on it... (AJ)”
In late 1991, I left the Navy in San Diego, California. That's when I partnered with Don Dye for Black Sabbath Custom Leather (BSCL). Design work and product creation became a focus for a while, as well as creating all the business cards, brochures, ads, posters, outside of doing product sketches and patterns.
It was an awesome time while in San Diego, but I finally had to address injuries issue from the military. So, I
relocated to Fort Scott, Kansas where I could rest and focus on healing injuries and finding the correct medical repairs.
The remainder of my working career allowed me to new university course materials, architectural and construction plans, network, and integrated systems diagrams. Artwork and Leather Work was still largely a hobby or part of a larger project. During My time in Kansas City, I made a new set of saddlebags and riding gear. That got me requests for custom work, so I relocated BSCL's License for extra income. Kansas City is also where I started doing more artwork. In 2011, I relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Presently, my goals, like the rest of the world, have had alterations and new ways of thinking. Necessity if the mother of invention, and desperate was the dad. The goals for displaying marketing new artwork in reality have become more virtual. Homepage: https://thunderchild.net.