About the artist:

Wayne Cooper was born in 1942 near Depew, Oklahoma and is of Yuchi descent. He is an internationally known artist, who specializes in American Western Art. His upbringing in Oklahoma and Indian roots, are the subject of many of his artistic creations via oil and canvas. His professional career began in the early 1960s, and continues currently with his artwork. His early training was with Woody Crumbo, a celebrated Potawatomi artist and educator who taught at Bacone College. Cooper also studied at the Famous Artists School correspondence courses, the Gary Artist League of Gary, Indiana; Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana; and the American Atelier in New York City, New York. Cooper's media include oils, watercolors, charcoals, pencil, and bronze sculpture, as well as lithographs. The Oklahoma State Capital has commissioned over fourteen pieces of art from Cooper. His early artwork began about 1963, and many of his early barn paintings were reminiscent of masterpieces by Andrew Wyeth and Eric Sloane. His professional career started in 1964 in Chicago and continued to New York City from `1974 to 1981. He then returned to Oklahoma to paint and sculpt western subjects. Coopers listings include: Artists USA 1970-1971, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in American Art, Dictionary of Biographies, International Biographies, Universal Directories of the Arts and Personalities of the Americas. One Man shows in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, Houston, Portland, L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, and Breckinridge, CO. Special Shows include: Circle Gallery, NYC, Rennes France, Gilcrease Museum, American Indian Museum, Heritage Museum, Will Rogers Museum, Kentucky University, Indian Capitol Bldng, New Mexico University, Governors Mansion Indiana, and the Oklahoma State Capitol Bldng. Wayne Cooper has presented special shows at the Will Rogers Memorial, University of Kentucky, Indiana Capitol Building, University of New Mexico, Governor's Mansion in Indianapolis, and Oklahoma State Capitol. Cooper was commissioned by Perkins, Oklahoma to create two 12 foot bronze sculptures which extend to 18 foot on their pedestals. One is of legendary cowboy Frank Eaton, also known as “Pistol Pete”, the mascot of Oklahoma State University. The other bronze is of Iowa chief “No Heart”.