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Historical Artist
“Talmadge”
Talmadge Davis
Native American Historical and Military Artist
Talmadge Davis died in
Broken Arrow, OK, Thursday, November 3, 2005
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Born: May 30, 1962 in McAlester, OK ~ Died November 3rd, 2005
A Member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CDIB#C0115687)
Click Here for a
Detailed Biography of Talmadge Davis
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Awards |
2003
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Best
of Division, Tulsa Indian Arts Festival, Tulsa, OK
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Best
of Division, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah,
OK
2002
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Best
of Show, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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People’s Choice, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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Honorable Mention, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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Best
of Division, Painting, Red Earth, Oklahoma City, OK
2001
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Best
of Show, Wichita Indian Center Museum, Wichita, KS
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People’s Choice, Wichita Indian Center Museum, Wichita, KS
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Best
of Division, Tulsa Indian Arts Festival, Tulsa, OK
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2nd
Place, Tulsa Indian Arts Festival, Tulsa, OK
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People’s Choice, Trail of Tears, Tahlequah, OK
2000
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Best
of Division, Tulsa India Arts Festival, Tulsa, OK
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Best
of Division, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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People’s Choice, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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Best
of Division, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
(continued)
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People’s Choice, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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3rd
Place, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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Best
of Show,
Indian Territory Arts &
Humanities Council, Broken Arrow, OK
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Peoples Choice,
Indian Territory Arts & Humanities Council,
Broken Arrow, OK
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Best
of Show, Creek Council House Indian Market, Okmulgee, OK
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People’s Choice, Creek Council House Indian Market, Okmulgee, OK
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Best
of Division, Indian Summer Festival, Bartlesville, OK
1999
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Best
of Show, Tulsa Indian Arts Festival, Tulsa, OK
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Best of Division, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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People’s Choice, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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2nd
Place, Wichita Indian Center Museum, Wichita, KS
1998
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Best
of Show, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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Best
of Show, Checotah Regional Art Show, Checotah, OK
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2nd
Place, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
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2nd
Place, Wichita Indian Center Museum, Wichita, KS
1997
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Best
of Division, Five Tribes Competition, Muskogee, OK
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Best
of Division, Eufaula Regional Art Show, Eufaula, OK
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Best
of Division, Checotah Regional Art Show, Checotah, OK
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2nd
Place, Trail of Tears Competition, Tahlequah, OK
EXHIBITIONS
2003
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Wichita Indian Center Museum
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Red
Earth Museum Masters Exhibitions
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Santa Fe Lafonda Hotel Exhibition
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Gilcrease Museum
2002
2001
2000
1999
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One-Man Show, Arkansas Valley State Bank, Broken Arrow, OK
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Five-Man Show, Images of the Cherokees,
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, OK
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Invited to Exhibit at Tulsa State Fair
1998
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Five-Man Show, Images of the Cherokees, University of Science
& Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, OK
1997
COMMISSIONS
2004
2003
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Commission for Creek Combat Veteran’s Society
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Muzzleloader Magazine Cover (Two Times) of only 6 issues.
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Sequoyah
Book Cover
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Labor Day Holiday Poster, Cherokee Nation
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Trail of Tears Poster, Trail of Tears Art Show
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T-shirt and Logo Design, American Indian Arts & Engineer Society
2002
2001
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First Native Artist to portray the United States Military Academy
at West Point, Commissioned for the 200th Anniversary
of West Point Academy.
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Chosen to portray the 9/11 Tragedy through print and featured on
e-bay and the Paul McCartney concert.
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Artwork used by the US Army to celebrate Native American Heritage
Month.
2000
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Commissioned to design artwork for the OK Department of Human
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Services Child Welfare 2000 Learning Seminar
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Commissioned to paint the portrait of the Last Comanche
Code-Talker, Charles Chibitty
1999
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Commissioned to produce Arkansas Valley State Bank Christmas Card,
Broken Arrow, OK
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Commissioned to produce the Ancient Laws of the Cherokee Nations,
series of six (6) paintings
1998
1997
Talmadge is an award
winning artist whose paintings evoke powerful emotions and deep
appreciation for his artwork. Talmadge is of Native American
descent and his Cherokee heritage is reflected in his art with vivid
representation of Cherokee heritage. The preservation of
Cherokee heritage and ancient history is the driving force behind
this Oklahoma born Native American artist. The art community has
demonstrated their approval of his art by awarding him many of the
top honors in nearly every event he has entered. As a result,
his work has appeared in many galleries, shows and museums
across Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. Talmadge is also founder of
the Cherokee Heritage Art Calendar.
Talmadge
Show Schedule
Detailed Bio of
Historical Artist
“Talmadge”
Talmadge Davis
Born:
May 30, 1962 in McAlester, OK ~
A Member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CDIB#C0115687)
Bringing the past to the present, giving life to history making his
viewers wanting to experience more, this would describe the artist
Talmadge
Davis
who inspires the young and enthuses the old with his ability to
breath air and light into history, making it seem as though
yesterday stood still. Viewers have made remarks such as, “I don’t
even like history or Indian art but wow, this guy is good!” or
“Honey, did you see this one, read this story, I didn’t know this
about Vietnam!” Another normal reaction is: as they wipe tears away
saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t help it! His work really touches me.”
When art enthusiast see his depiction of children it is usually
followed by and “Oh ahhhh look at this!”
As the Cherokees of the past, this artist of Cherokee/German descent
Talmadge
has moved forward with the pride of knowing the love of his Cherokee
Grandmother Sally Toney Davis an original Dawes enrollee. Grandma
Sally a full blood Cherokee was a spiritual woman and a midwife. At
last count she had delivered 225 children into the world. There have
been numerous stories written about her and the stories she told her
children and grandchildren about Sequoyah (her great-grandfather
twice removed) as well as the story of White Butterfly. Portrayed
in the painting by
Talmadge,
“Quite Dignity” he completed of her in November of 1999, Sally Toney
Davis who shared life with us from 1895 until 1998
will live on in the hearts of all of those who follow because of
Talmadge’s ability to help us feel her presence. You can feel her
warmth, love and integrity with each line in her face and the gleam
of her eyes as you know without a doubt the touch of her hand will
intensify the love she has shared and will pass on to many
generations. Getting to the point about
Talmadge’s
work, most of us can identify her as a person in our own life with
whom our fondest memories were shared. I never k Grandma Sally
but could describe her personality, scent and the feel of her hug
the moment I first experienced the “Quite Dignity” painting.
Talmadge
with no formal training, no lifelong homestead, no easy childhood,
makes art into precious stories that everyone can cling to.
Talmadge’s
childhood did not stand still as a child
Talmadge
and his brothers were the survivors in the sixties when their Father
was killed in a tragic traffic accident which left the Davis
children devastated. This was the beginning of many moves for him
and his younger brother the first one being to the Wyandotte Indian
School near Miami, Oklahoma. He longed to be with his family for
the time that should have been his best childhood years, then
finally after a couple of years his Grandfather on his Mother’s side
convinced his Mom that she needed to bring the boys home. This was
the beginning of many moves and further hard times for the young
Talmadge.
Growing up near Eufaula and the Cherokee Hills near
Tahlequah,
OK his high school years were in
Kerrville
TX.
Times cherished were those spent in Crowder, Oklahoma on his
Grandpa’s small ranch learning the ways of networking, hard work and
trading, or the time spent with Grandma Sally sharing the calmness
of life and warmth and security of family and friends.
Talmadge’s
personal past no matter how hard tends to help him paint from the
heart, from the love and knowledge passed on which seems to make his
brushes dance across the canvas as he fills space with light and air
that help you to feel the moment of magic in each character. The
depth to which he is able to paint the feeling of the moment
probably comes from the accumulation of the good and bad experiences
which have made for strong character builders. Talmadge,
confident, not only has a passion for art but enjoys discussing
opinions about politics, history, or world events that could help
make changes necessary for a better future.
Talmadge,
while attending the Indian school in
Wyandotte
earned much character and strength. A teacher Mr. West led him to
believe in himself knowing that his art should be taken serious.
Talmadge
says, “My brother James and I never left a piece of paper blank.”
“We could never get our hands on enough pencils or paper!” James
still enjoys and creates art but it is
Talmadge’s
passion to educate and inspire generations following him of who he
is as well as who his forefathers were and how decisions made affect
generations to follow by burning the actual depth of the moment into
their minds with a picture their mind will go back to. We may
forget how something was said after time passes but what is seen by
a persons eye will usually remain in their mind for many years to
follow if it is vivid enough.
Talmadge
had many family members in the military and law enforcement
background with whom he admired and so he himself decided to spend
time in the military as well as a become a law enforcement officer
in the military.
Talmadge
is a five-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and often captures the
emotions of his military counterparts in his paintings. While
spending time with
Talmadge
I have heard people gasp, seen people respond with screams and
unresolved emotion. At one of
Talmadge’s
shows I attended one of the most moving moments was when a tough
World War II veteran unprepared for what he was about to see at an
Indian Art Show completely lost all composure when viewing
Talmadge’s
work and turned to me and said while sobbing, “You tell this guy he
nailed it!” The painting was of soldiers from several wars with the
feelings they carry abroad as they are protecting the freedom of the
United States
with the United States flag reflecting as a spirit in the sunlight
behind them over their shoulder. Their ancestors from previous
Indian Wars are reflected from the stream below. The name of this
painting is “Vanguard of The Land”, the veterans of the Creek Red
Sticks have prints available for sale to help support their veterans
society.
Talmadge’s
research is un-waning always wanting to know more about the facts
Talmadge
constantly reaches into the depths of the Indian Nations and the
French & Indian War shedding the truth and preserving the past for
the future generations who must know where we have been to
successfully advance in the future. Beginning the day with
breakfast in the heart of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah,
Oklahoma, he discusses today’s events as well as yesterday and
history of long ago with other artist, novelist, historians, heads
of nations, politicians, lobbyist and activist, along with local
ranchers, waitresses, fans, and other locals on the way to their
day. Then he rushes to his studio to lay the foundation for another
story that takes form within only hours. Continuing research
through libraries and other history enthusiast, books are not a
weakness but a passion for this artist. The past is who we are and
Talmadge’s work sets us directly on the path to knowing that the
spirit of family and friends is the foundation that heroes are made
from.
Not only does he take us back centuries but he has the ability to
pull the present past and future into his masterpieces. He has led
us through the 18th century all the way to the present
pulse of this nation with not only his renditions of Native
Americans of days gone by but as well as the heartbeat of the Native
American Heroes still alive today.
As soon as one painting begins and is playing through in his mind
another is quickly being designed within his mind as if he cannot
hurry fast enough to paint all he can think of but taking the time
to produce each painting as the work at hand as the next
masterpiece. Only the finest canvas, paints, varnish or sealers are
used to ensure preservation. Talmadge uses real models and brings
each of their personalities into the character of the story
unfolding.
Talmadge’s
energy and understanding and ability to capture the light, shadows,
halftones, streaming light and dark with the strength of his
characters and stories bring the viewer an excitement or personal
involvement in each piece.
Talmadge’s
paintings succeed in looking like air, light and real water on
canvas.
When he is left to himself with a vision, canvas and a quite moment,
the creativity pours from his mind onto the canvas stage. Never
knowing what we are about to see next his fans await begging to see
and learn more about the story as the stage is set.
By: Friend, Fan and Finally his Agent,
Susan Wassom, of Heritage Art Marketing
a company formed to share the Talmadge experience.
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