David E. Williams facts for kids

David Emmett Williams (his Tonkawa name was Tosque) was a talented Native American painter. He was born on August 20, 1933, and passed away on November 8, 1985. David was from Oklahoma and belonged to the Kiowa, Tonkawa, and Kiowa-Apache tribes.

He learned art at Bacone College from a famous artist named Dick West. David won many national awards for his amazing artwork. He used a special painting style called Flatstyle, which was popular at Bacone College.

Early Life and Family

David Emmett Williams, also known as Tosque, was born on August 20, 1933. His birthplace was Lawton, Oklahoma. His father, Emmett Williams, was a singer and leather-worker. His mother, Jennie Sahkoodlequoie, was from the Kiowa tribe. She was a descendant of a famous leader named Satanka.

Learning to Paint

David first studied art at the Indian Art Center. This center was located in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. There, he learned from an artist named Olle Nordmark. Later, he went to Bacone College. At Bacone, he studied with other Native American painters. These included Joan Hill and Doc Tate Nevaquaya. They all learned from their teacher, Dick West.

David didn't start painting seriously until 1959. Before that, he was a powwow dancer and singer. He also worked in a shoe factory. In the early 1960s, he became very passionate about art. He used different materials like acrylic, gouache, and pencil.

All the artists at Bacone during this time learned the Bacone style. This was a special Flatstyle painting technique. Their work was often shown at the Philbrook Museum of Art's Indian Annual show. This was a competition for artists. Bacone College and Philbrook Museum worked together. They would display student artwork for sale. The school would get a part of the money from any sales.

David's Art Career

David Williams took part in these annual art competitions. He won a Grand Award in the early 1960s. He also won a national competition. This show was held in Bismarck, North Dakota.

In 1961, David married Norma Jean Eubanks. They moved to Los Angeles. A famous actor, Vincent Price, loved Native American art. He bought 50 of David's paintings. He sold them through Sears Roebuck stores across the country.

David had his first solo art show in 1964. It was at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. That same year, he had another show. It was with a sand painter named David Villasenor. This show was at the Pasadena Public Library. He also had solo shows at other museums. These included the Southern Plains Indian Museum in Oklahoma. He also showed his art at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Los Angeles. His art was even shown at the Tryon Gallery in London.

By 1970, David and his family moved back to Oklahoma. They lived in Tahlequah with their two sons. In 1980, David designed a special logo. It was for Bacone College's 100th anniversary. By 1981, he mostly stopped painting. This was because he started losing his eyesight due to an illness. In 1983, he was honored by Bacone College. He was added to their Alumni Hall of Fame.

Art Shows and Awards

In 1972, David's art was part of a traveling show. It was called Contemporary Southern Plains Indian Painting. This show was put on by the Southern Plains Indian Museum. In 1974, he won the Grand Prize. This was at the Trail of Tears Art Show. It was held at the Cherokee Heritage Center.

During his life, David had many successful art shows. His art was displayed all over the United States. Some places included the Arizona State Museum in Tucson. He also showed at the Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin, Texas. His work was seen at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art in Kentucky. He also won awards at the American Indian Exposition. This was in Anadarko. He also won at the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico.

Where to See His Art

David Williams' paintings are in many places. You can find them in private collections. They are also part of permanent collections in museums. These include:

• The Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill, Oklahoma
• The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa
• The Philbrook Art Museum in Tulsa
• The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona
• The Southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko
• The Southwest Museum in Los Angeles
• The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian

Later Life

David Williams passed away on November 8, 1985. He died due to complications from an illness.

Selected Works

Here are some of David Emmett Williams' well-known paintings:

• Woman Dancer, 1960
• Plains Indian War Dance, 1963
• Burial at Night, 1964
• Kachina Dance, 1966
• Comanche Rider, circa 1970s
• Empty Saddles: Return of War Party, circa 1970s
• Male Dancer, 1972
• Kiowa Fancy Dancer, 1972
• Kiowa Medicine Man, 1973
• The Five Civilized Tribes, 1974
• Hunter with Rifle, 1974
• Visions to Come, 1974
• The Last Remembrance, 1975
• Pursued, 1979
• Warriors Salute, 1979