Gary Big Bear is a member of the Winnebago nation of Nebraska. Born in 1964, Gary was interested in art from an early age. After receiving an art degree from the University of South Dakota, Gary moved to Sioux City Iowa where he began showing his art with good success. His work has been exhibited at several  shows throughout the United States and Europe and his work is currently on display in a number of galleries.
Gary has wed tradition with his own methodology in the form of innovative and unique canvases. Gary's body of work is expressed on his finished canvas by achieving a high level of realism by utilizing contrast between hues of colors. The use of shadows in the foreground and subtle grades of application of colors in the background bring to life his abstract focus.