Artist: John Balloue – Western Band of Oklahoma Cherokee

Cultural Background: Western Band of Oklahoma Cherokee.

After returning home from Vietnam, John began taking art courses from the local Junior College. Forty years later it has become a business and a way of life.

Having a Cherokee father and an English/Irish mother and not being raised on a reservation, art is his way of understanding, keeping alive and honoring his Native Ancestors.

Painting in a realistic style for over 30 years, in 2003, John needed to try something new. He began experimenting with color and texture to create a more contemporary look and feel to his work.

Now, much of John’s work is more innovative and experimental in nature. Color is the primary means in which the change has occurred. Color is said to be a barometer of emotion and the strong use of color is reflective of a passionate approach to painting. Besides it just looks cool!

Artwork by Indigenous Artist John Balloue