Clifton Ray Cheek, a resident of Poplar, Montana, was raised on Montana's Fort Peck Indian Reservation. He was born in Kentucky in 1937, and became keenly interested in the tradition of pioneer and Indian life in the Old West when he moved to the reservation. Mr. Cheek honed his artistic skills through hands-on experience, exposure to the Native environment of the Sioux-Assiniboine nations and the rigors of ranching. His early works consisted of pen and ink drawings, watercolors and oil paintings.

In 1978, Mr. Cheek developed a keen interest in sculpting. Included among his sculpting media are clay, wax, wood and poly form. These models form the basis for limited editions figures cast in bronze. Mr. Cheek's bronzes have been awarded...