About the Artist

(1950-2012) Eka Kwasu (Red Shirt) often signed his paintings Aquasu. 

Born in 1950 in San Antonio, Texas, this Comanche artist earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 at the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

McMurtry worked as a counselor, an instructor, an author, a playwright, a cartoonist, an illustrator, a lecturer, an Indian cultural coordinator and lastly, as a painter. Acrylic paint, as well as watercolor, graphite, pen and ink, pastels and prints are all medias he embraced.  One category of artistic influence he named are cartoonists such as Frank Frazetta.

The stories of his Comanche grandmother informed him about his culture. These were later utilized for his subject matter, often with a playful edge to the composition, using bold colors.

McMurtry's paintings have been exhibited internationally as well as in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and in Texas. He received awards in art spanning twenty five plus years.

Aquasu's art was exhibited at the Heard Museum in 1975 when Buck Saunder's Indian painting collection was displayed.

Tragically McMurtry was shot and killed in August 2012 during an altercation at his home involving a local deputy.