Tero Certified
Sand Springs,
Oklahoma
Bryan Waytula is a contemporary Cherokee Nation visual artist recognized for his intricate drawings, vivid use of color, and culturally grounded subject matter. Born and raised in Oklahoma, he comes from a distinguished lineage of Cherokee artists, National Treasure Betty Scraper-Garner (Grandmother) and National Treasure Vivian Cottrell (Mother), who are celebrated for their mastery of traditional Cherokee basketry, deeply influencing Waytula’s artistic perspective and commitment to cultural preservation.
Waytula earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma and later became a certified art educator from Northeastern State University. He spent over a decade teaching art, sharing technical skills and cultural knowledge with students before transitioning to a full-time professional art career.
His work blends photorealism with contemporary Native design, often incorporating bold patterns, symbolic imagery, and themes of identity, heritage, and community. Working primarily in colored pencil and mixed media, Waytula creates highly detailed portraits and figures that honor Native traditions while embracing modern artistic expression. Waytula functions as a visual storyteller by embedding layers of narrative, identity, and cultural memory into his imagery rather than relying on written or spoken words. His work often centers on Native figures—dancers, elders, and community members—captured in moments that suggest movement, ceremony, or reflection. These figures are not just portraits; they imply stories about tradition, resilience, and lived experience.
An award-winning artist, Waytula has received major recognition at prestigious Native art markets, including multiple top honors for his colored pencil portrait work The Grass Dancer which was a national semifinalist in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Outwin-Boochever competition. His art has been exhibited nationally at prominent venues such as the Santa Fe Indian Market and museums like the Heard, Autry, and Eiteljorg.
2026 Mvskoke Art Market – 2nd Place in Drawing w/ “Dancing for those who cannot”
2025 Artist for OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark – (8) 18ft x 24ft panels to be painted (Oklahoma City)
2025 Trail of Tears Art Show – 1st Place in Drawing/Painting/Mixed w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2025 Sketch Artist for Fanatics Collectibles / Topps Baseball Museum Collection
2024 Semifinalist – Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition – Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery “The Grass Dancer”
2024 Cherokee Art Market – Best of Division w/ “The High Ground”
2024 Cherokee Art Market – Judges Choice w/ “Where We’re Going We Don’t Need..Roads”
2024 Southeastern Art Show and Market – 3rd Drawing w/ “The High Ground”
2024 Southeastern Art Show and Market – 1st Painting w/ “Where We’re Going We Don’t Need…Roads”
2024 Cherokee Holiday – Honorable Mention w/ “The High Ground”
2024 Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market – 1st Place Drawing w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2024 Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market – 2nd Place Drawing w/ “Golden Eagle Woman”
2024 Artesian Art Market – Best in Show w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2023 Hushtola Art Market – 2nd Place in 2D w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2023 Southeastern Art Show and Market -2nd Place in Painting w/ “The Lookout”
2023 Southeastern Art Show and Market – Best in Show w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2023 Cherokee Art Market – Best in Division w/ “The Grass Dancer”
2023 Mvskoke Art Market – 3rd Place in 2D w/ “The Fast Track”
2023 Mvskoke Art Market – 2nd Place in Painting w/ “The Lookout”
2022 Cherokee Art Market – Judges Choice w/ “The Defendant”
2022 Southeastern Art Show & Market – Best in Show w/ “Golden Eagle Woman, Best in Division w/
“The Defendant”, 1st Place in Painting w/ “Unconquerable”
2022 Santa Fe Indian Market – 2nd Place in 2D w/ “Golden Eagle Woman”
2022 Mvskoke Art Market – 1st Place in 2D w/ “Golden Eagle Woman”
2022 Red Earth – Best of Show
2020 Heard Museum Guild – 1st in Division w/ “Chickasaw Warrior”
2019 Southeastern Art Show & Market – Best in Division w/ “Chickasaw Warrior” & 1st Place Drawing w/ “Victory Over the River Raisin”
2019 Cherokee Art Market – Judges Choice w/ “Chickasaw Warrior”
2019 Cherokee Holiday – Best in Show w/ “Victory Over the River Raisin” & Honorable Mention w/ “The Chief’s Daughter”
2019 Artesian Arts Festival – 1st Place in Drawing w/ “Chickasaw Warrior” & 2nd Place in Drawing w/ “Victory Over the River Raisin”
2019 Beyond Bricks – People’s Choice w/ “Victory Over the River Raisin”
2019 Cherokee Homecoming Show – “Judges Choice w/ Chickasaw Warrior”
2018 Eiteljorg Museum – Best of Class w/ “We Stand as One” & 1st Place Drawing “Cherokee Treasure”
2018 Cherokee Holiday – 1st Place Drawing w/ “Keeping the Balance”
2018 Cherokee Art Market – Best of Division Drawing w/ “Keeping the Balance”
2018 Artesian Arts Festival – 1st Place in Drawing w/ “Slick Style”
2018 Southeastern Art Show & Market – Best of Division w/ “Our Creator’s Messenger”
2017 Artesian Arts Festival – 1st Place Drawing w/ “Keeping the Balance” & 3rd Place Painting w/ “Mother Earth”
2017 Santa Fe Indian Market – Honorable Mention in Painting w/ “We Stand as One”
2017 Southeastern Art Show & Market – Best of Class Drawing w/ “Keeping the Balance”
2016 Cherokee Homecoming Show – Honorable Mention Painting w/ “World Champion Cherokee Archer Joe Thornton”
2016 Cherokee Holiday – 1st Place Painting w/ “Mother Earth”
2016 Cherokee Art Market – Best of Class “Girl of the Water” & 2nd Place Painting w/ “Mother Earth”
2015 Cherokee Holiday – 2nd Place Painting w/ “Strength of Our People in Numbers”
2014 Cherokee Homecoming Show – 1st Place Drawing Emerging Artist Award & Bill Rabbit Legacy Award w/ “A Stare; Cold as Stone”
2011 Rt. 66 Blowout Car and Art Show – People’s Choice “Jack Sparrow”, 1st Place Signed Drawing of
“Sam Bradford”, 2nd Place Drawing of “LaDanian Tomlinson”
Medium: Graphic Arts, Painting
Waytula has worked in a wide range of mediums such as Ink, Pastels, Oil Pastels, Charcoal, Graphite, Colored Pencils, Markers, Acrylic Paint, Watercolors, Silkscreen, Ink Block, Resin Casting, Pottery, Sculpture, Bronze, and Spray Paint.
