I was raised by elders, my Grandfather and Grandmother, Peter and Cordelia Pretty Sounding Flute and I feel this to be the reason for my spiritual awareness showing in my art. I do not have any formal art training, nor have I attended any workshops. My talent seems to be born with me and something I never take for granted. My art is original and I try always to bring my spiritual feelings for "Tunkasila" (The Great Spirit) into my work. In my beginning years with my art, my Grandfather, Peter Pretty Sounding Flute, told me that everything I should create with my hands and mind should be created for "Tunkasila", so that in the eyes of the people they would see the beauty around them.

My art consists of all forms. I not only do oils, acrylics and drawings, but I create from my ancestors, all the things that were once used, and in the traditional manner in which they were once made.

At this time I am creating Robes -- deer, elk, bear and buffalo; with the theme of the "Circle of Life" and 'The Red Road" that we all seek. These creations are a part of my spiritual awareness and my desire to share this awareness with others. Each day we face struggles, challenges and joy as we travel the "Red Road" toward "Tunkasila". By creating these robes in this manner, I hope those that view them will come away with a feeling of closeness and an awakening of the spirit of 'Tunkasila".

I still continue to draw and paint, as well as my reproductions of all the items used by my ancestors. Each item created is made in the traditional manner and each with a feeling of the warrior that used this before me. I create by asking myself how my ancestors before me would have used it. By doing this, I continue to create in a spiritual way. Each piece I create is a work of art, but more than that, it is a tribute to the eyes of "Tunkasila".

I believe the teachings of my grandfather, Peter Pretty Sounding Flute, has completely influenced my way of art as it is today. My Grandfather raised me in all the I ways of my ancestors and taught me to always look at things through the eyes of "Tunkasila". I believe through my teachings from my Grandfather that it is the strength of my art.

I was born April 25, 1947 and am a full blood Hunkpapa Lakota. I am an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Lakota Tribe Reservation of Lower Brule, South Dakota. I am the great-grandson of Chief Gall who was a member of the Lakota Hunkpapa Tribe. Chief Gall was adopted by Sitting Bull as a younger brother and his chief lieutenant in battle.