(1912-1996) Walter Richard West was born near Darlington, Oklahoma. His tribal affiliation was Cheyenne.
West earned his Associate of Art degree in 1938 from Bacone College, his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1941 and his Masters of Fine Arts in 1950. West learned mural techniques from Olaf Nordmark and then undertook still more post graduate work at different universities in Oklahoma.
Beyond all his awards and recognition, I can share this citation in the St. James Guide to Native North American Artists "Perhaps no other American Indian artist was as well known, respected and even belowed as Dick West, as a painter and teacher. He was extremely well known for his traditional paintings that paid particular attention to cultural authenticity regarding the lifeways of his Cheyenne people, in addition to his superb sense of color and craftsmanship."
Nearly all books chronicling the lineage of American Indian painters include the work of Richard West, Sr. His son, W. Richard West Jr. was made the Director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC in its formative years.