Native American artist Dan Brook was born into ranch life in the Creek nation of Oklahoma. Memories of his father, a second generation rancher and Indian cowboy and his vivid tales of turn of the century ranch life are preserved in Brook's mind. The fellow native playmates of his childhood, the cowboys and neighboring farmers, themselves descendants of early pioneers of Indian-territory, provide a rich tapestry of images for artist to draw upon. His artistic talent was evident from early childhood. "My earliest memories are of drawing" he says. The isolation of rural ranch life provided long hours of sketching which continues to this day, in long sessions in his studio. In the fourth grade, he entered a youth art show. The judges refused to believe he had not traced the pen and ink drawing. "My first experience with the back handed compliment" he says with a laugh. The artist attended Baylor University. Upon graduation, Brook studied art in the old-world tradition of apprenticeship to renowned portrait sculptor Dr. B.N. Walker. It was then that the artist's God-given talents were combined with the techniques of the old masters. "There is an inner power in Dan's portraiture work, like that of the Greek and Roman artists who captured senators likenesses in marble", says artist David Spence. It seems only fitting that one of Brook's early commissions was a portrait of the Creek nation's great chief, Claude A. Cox (dec.), now placed in the tribal capital. Years later, Brook continues to explore the human head and figure. "They are the most expressive forms on earth", he says. "Nothing can convey emotion and character like the human head and body." The artist wishes to capture in bronze, as many of the old tribal chiefs as possible, while they're still living. Known for his gifted sculpture, his work has been collected in public and private sectors in the United States. Now, his reputation has crossed the ocean, as he has been commissioned to create several works in the Middle East and Europe. “I pray most every day that I do all that I am supposed to do while on this earth”, Brook says. The artist now lives and works in Waco, Texas. |
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Waco, Texas PH: (254) 412-2160 Email: dan@brookstudio.net |