Billy Mack Steele, born with the Cherokee blood of his great grandmother, has been inspired by the vanishing past of his rural southland.

During service in the Marines in the Vietnam period, he did artwork for the heavy artillery company to which he was assigned, while also finding time to illustrate a children’s book.

Expanding the talent he was blessed with, he has studied with some of the most outstanding instructors in the south and continues to attend workshops, when time permits.

Billy Mack Steele’s love for the Cherokee and other Native Americans is depicted in his work such as the 1988 painting of the infamous “Trail Of Tears.” A print of this painting hangs at the Historic Cherokee Capitol and Museum of New Echota, GA

His paintings are owned by public and private collectors throughout the United States.

Artists in the Schools Program

Art Specialty: Watercolor demonstrations of Native American people.

Training & experience: Watercolor painting for fifteen years. Watercolor demonstrations for four years. Winner of many awards in all media. Teach watercolor and drawing.

Program or activity: Each class will be shown the supplies that I use. They will learn about the people in my paintings and about the Trail of Tears. They will get a demonstration of Native American flutes and how they’re made.

Objectives: The students will learn about art supplies, the culture of Native Americans, and watch a painting take form. If the class is small and time permits, the students will be able to help on the paining.

Arrangements: Space needed is a classroom or news media room. Number of children per service: One, possibly two classes together. Time allotment per service: Standard class time, about forty minutes. Maximum of 5 sessions per day. Materials needed: Two tables. Access to water and electricity. I bring all my art supplies.

Artist’s fee: $195.00 per day

Comments: The School gets a watercolor demonstration, Native American History, Flute music and a painting at the end of the day.

Billy Mack with Ranger Sheila Reed at Russell Cave National Monument during the Annual Native American Festival.