Muscogee-Creek - Native American artist. Dan Brook, was born in ranch life in the Creek nation of
Oklahoma. Memories of his father, a second-generation rancher and Indian cowboy, and his vivid
tales of turn of the century ranch life are preserved in Brook’s mind. The fellow native playmates of his
childhood, the cowboys and neighboring farmers, themselves descendants of early pioneers of Indian-
territory, have provided a rich tapestry of images, culture and history for the artist to draw upon. His
gift was evident from early childhood. “My earliest memories are of drawing. I suppose that is true of
most children, I just never stopped.”
The isolation of rural ranch life provided long hours of sketching, which continues to this day, in
sessions in his studio. In the fourth grade, he entered a youth art show. The judges refused to believe
that he had not traced the pen and in drawing. “My first experience with the back-handed compliment”,
he says with a laugh.
The artist attended Baylor University on a football scholarship, playing under legendary coach Grant
Teaff. Upon graduation, Brook studied art in the old-world tradition of apprenticeship, with renowned
portrait sculptor, Dr. B.N. Walker, called by some a modern-day Houdon. It was then that the artist’s
God-given talents were combined with the techniques of the old masters. “There is an inner power in
Dan’s portraiture work, like that of the Roman artists who captured senators likenesses in marble”, says
fellow artist David Spence. It seems only fitting that one of Brook’s early commissions was a portrait of
the Creek nations’ great chief, Claude A. Cox (dec.), now placed in the tribal capitol. He has since done
several busts of famous Native leaders.
Twenty five years later, Brook continues his exploration of sculpture, recently completing the Trail of
Tears monument in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This contemporary monument is the soaring work of a virtuoso.
One of the few sculptors that create in both figurative and contemporary styles, the artist is a master
in bronze, terra cotta and lucite. His work has been collected in public and private sectors in the United
States. His reputation has now crossed the ocean, as he has been commissioned to create works in the
Middle East and Europe. “Like the ancient Creek artists, Brook prays for the “Master of Breath” to guide
his hands as he begins each new piece”. The artist happily lives and works in Dallas, Texas.
Dan Brook has successfully completed 18 large scale relief sculptures for Texas Christian University's new football stadium. The artwork honors the donors who made the 164 million dollar project a reality. The university acquired the collection for an undisclosed sum.
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Monument marking the ending point of the Creek nation's trail of tears journey. 18 feet tall by 30 feet in diameter. Commissioned by the Creek nation and funded by the taxpayers of Oklahoma.
Commissioned by the city of Checote, Oklahoma. (1 1/4 life size)
Commissiond by Red Earth museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (life size)