JD Challenger is considered America's leading painter of Native Americans.  He was born in Oklahoma and had a creative fire that ignited when he was very young.  He learned color, shading, light and shadow from closely observing nature and then drawing what he saw.  Always fascinated by the culture and customs of the Native Americans near to whom he lived and soon considered his closest friends, young Challenger absorbed their stories and traditions.  Then he sketched his observations of their lives.  At first, he was reluctant to show his paintings in public for fear of offending a people he greatly admired.  Upon witnessing a Ghost Dance ceremony, Challenger discovered his mission and what he wanted to paint.  With encouragement from friends he showed his work to some Native Americans, one of whom was a holy man.  Challenger was told, "Your path is to tell our story and educate others."  JD challenger paints the story of a people rich in heritage and tradition; his stories are sometimes poignant, often angry, but always powerful and demanding to be told.