Painting - Framed Watercolor "Ceremony" by Doc Tate Nevaquaya, CSIB-20

Joyce Lee "Doc" Tate Nevaquaya (1932-1996) is widely credited with having saved the art of Cherokee flute making. His composing and playing of music on these flutes likely saved the declining art form from disappearing. But he considered himself, first and foremost, a painter. His Comanche parents died when he was a young teenager, and he was raised by his grandparents, who taught him the Comanche ways. He regularly attended the Native American Church. He was named after a Dr. Joyce, who delivered him, and his nickname, “Doc,” came from that relationship. His last name, Tate, was his grandfather’s business partner's Christian name and was taken as a requirement to enter the Fort Sill Indian School. He began to paint with the encouragement of his wife in the 1950s, and while he had multiple occupations during his life, painting was always what he lived to do. He was a self-taught artist who focused on portraying traditional Native ways and often met with other Cherokee artists to exchange ideas. This watercolor, titled Ceremony, measures 21.5” x 26”.  The Frame measures 30” x 36”.