About James Black

James Black (Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho and Oglala) is a Southern Cheyenne Sundance priest from Watonga, a small rural town in northwestern Oklahoma. Growing up in a traditional home and being influenced by the traditions of his people, James reflects his surroundings in his drawings. He wanted to pursue art but did not want to get into contemporary Native American art, such as drawing Indians with wolves and eagles. He knew that his people did more traditional pictographic drawings known as ledger drawings.

Studying more about this ledger art form, he found out that it was more than drawing Indians fighting on horses. They told the history of his people, such as courtship scenes and ceremonies. As he learned more about it, this form of art became more personal and inspiring to him. In 1993, he began drawing and creating in this form.

He is proud to be a modern Cheyenne ledger artist and continues to keep the traditions of his people alive with pride. A descendent of a Cheyenne original ledger artist who was imprisoned at Spanish Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida from 1875-1878. Black's style of art began with traditional forms, colors and designs. More recently, the artist has been experimenting with various mediums such as acrylic on canvas