Who Is Doc Tate Nevaquaya?

Tate Nevaquaya, often known as Doc, can be described as one of the most influential artists from the Comanche Nation. 

Not only did he paint, but he also wrote and performed flute music. Tate’s passion for creating art and playing music inspired many people in his community. Though he passed away nearly thirty years ago, his legacy lives on through his paintings. 

Join us as we discover more about this revolutionary artist and his impact on 20th-century art. 

Let’s check it out!

The Story of Joyce Lee Nevaquaya

Joyce Lee Nevaquaya’s parents named him after the doctor who delivered him in 1932, Doctor Joyce. People called him Doc for short. He grew up in Apache, Oklahoma, but became an orphan at 13. Doc’s grandparents took him in, deeply ingraining him in his Indigenous culture. 

After graduating from Fort Sill Indian School in 1951, Nevaquaya adopted the Christian name Tate. He then moved to Kansas to attend Haskell Indian Nations University, where he met his future wife, Charlotte. The two moved back to Apache and raised nine children together. 

Charlotte encouraged her husband to pursue painting as a hobby outside of work. He really enjoyed it, and even seemed to be quite good. Tate taught himself to paint with different mediums, like watercolor and acrylic. He also maintained friendships with other Comanche artists, including Rance Hood and Weckeah Bradley. 

In 1996, Tate Nevaquaya suffered a heart attack and passed away in Lawton, Oklahoma, about 20 minutes from his hometown of Apache. His children continue his legacy. In fact, Tate’s sons have become accomplished dancers, painters, and flutists. 

What Inspired Doc Tate Nevaquaya?

As an artist, Doc Tate enjoyed painting with earth tones. He helped solidify the Oklahoma Traditional Style with his color choices. Nevaquaya would begin with a small sketch, then transfer the idea to a large board to paint on. He frequently drew inspiration from tribal history and traditions. 

Most frequently, Nevaquaya shared his own culture as a member of the Comanche Nation with his art. However, he also painted scenes of other Indigenous nations and captured the cultural differences in the details of his artwork. 

Did Doc Tate Nevaquaya Work With Multiple Mediums?

Notably, this self-taught artist worked with several mediums, including oil paint and watercolor. He also used tempera paint, commonly made by mixing color pigment with egg yolk. Tate Nevaquaya painted on boards as well as paper. 

Doc Tate also received commissions for some fascinating art projects. For example, in 1973, he was commissioned to design and paint a Comanche shield for the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetary. 

He also designed two coins in 1982 for the Oklahoma Diamond Jubilee. From coins to watercolor, one thing remains consistent, Doc Tate’s work continues to inspire artists today. 

Inspiring Pieces by Doc Tate Nevaquaya

The remarkable details and restricted color palette that Tate Nevaquaya uses really catch our eye. You can learn so much about the culture of Indigenous peoples through his work. Let’s take a closer look at some of this artist’s most inspiring paintings. 

Indian Love Call

This watercolor painting on black paper shows a man playing a traditional courting flute to woo a young woman. Nevaquaya only uses blues, greens, and browns to create this beautiful scene. 

At first glance, it seems simple: a woman listens to a man playing the flute. But every time you look a little closer, a new detail pops out. Nevaquaya painted each leaf and feather in the man’s headdress with care. The woman’s brightly colored dress shows every characteristic of traditional Comanche garb. This painting captures the artists’ love and appreciation for tradition.

Winter Chill

In this piece, Nevaquaya showcases a wintery landscape in such a way that it jumps off the page. You might even feel cold looking at Winter Chill. You can almost smell the evergreens while you ponder just how far away that giant mountain in the background is. 

Two horseback Indigenous people populate the scene. Their horses have stopped for water at the stream. Again, Nevaquaya’s attention to detail can be celebrated in this painting. We appreciate looking at the characters’ windblown hair and puffed-up coats. 

Buffalo Prayer

In this painting, an Indigenous person can be seen holding up a buffalo skull. Above him, a ghost-like buffalo bounds across the page. We love the relative simplicity of this painting; it shows only one person with no background scenery, yet we still find so much to see. 

Look for the wrinkles in the man’s robe or the immense details in his headdress. Then, ask yourself, how exactly does someone paint a ghost, and how does it seem so alive?

Where Can I See Some of Doc Tate Nevaquaya’s Art?

After learning about his history and reading about his paintings, you may be interested in seeing some of Tate Nevaquaya’s art in person. You can visit the following museums to view his artwork and learn more about Indigenous cultures. 

Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center

Located in Lawton, Oklahoma, this museum strives to “deepen the understanding and appreciation of Comanche history, culture, and fine art,” according to its website. The museum opened in 2007. 

You can see works by Doc Tate Nevaquaya and other artists, including his son Ed. The museum offers free admission and is open every day of the week except Sundays. However, if you can’t make the trip in person, their website has a great virtual tour.

National Museum of the American Indian

With locations in Washington D.C. and New York, the National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the cultures of many different nations, including the Comanche. This museum features nearly 4,000 works of art by Comanche artists, including eight by Doc Tate Nevaquaya. 

A visit to this museum should certainly be on any art lover’s bucket list. Both locations are open every day of the year except Christmas and offer free entry. Until you can make the trip in person, consider perusing their collection of Nevaquaya paintings on their website.

From the Muse: Visit the National Museum of the American Indian’s website to search their collection and learn about upcoming exhibits.

Was Doc Tate Nevaquaya a Musician?

In his teenage years, Doc Tate purchased a trunk at a thrift store and found a traditional courting flute inside. This inspired him to not only learn the instrument but also write music for it. Later he began making his own flutes. 

Traditionally, the courting flute had been used as a solo instrument to catch the attention of young women. However, its popularity began waning as many viewed the practice as outdated. 

Tate Nevaquaya was instrumental in revitalizing the music-making traditions of the Comanche. He encouraged young people to improvise on the flute, which allowed the instrument to become more modern without destroying traditional aesthetics. 

He also played flute on Good Morning America and several other shows. In 1970, he toured England as part of a goodwill tour. In addition, Tate performed at the Kennedy Center in 1985 and became the first Indigenous artist to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1990. 

Keeping Tradition Alive

Tate Nevaquaya proved to be one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. You can get lost in the immense detail of his work while appreciating the simplicity. He not only created beautiful music and surreal paintings, but this artwork perpetuated the traditions of his culture.

Do you have a favorite painting from Tate Nevaquaya? Tell us about it in the comments below.