William “Bill” Brien is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. He is a descendant from the Cut Head Band of Dakota, from the Spirit Lake Nation and Lakota from Standing Rock in North Dakota. Bill is a self-taught digital artist, whose passion for art was ignited by his wife, Geri. Geri was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. For four years she fought the cancer with courage, hope, and love. That journey inspired Bill to share Geri’s story through art.
He attributes the inspiration and discovery of art to his wife because of what she endured and how she continues to lead him in his quest for healing and understanding.
While Bill’s art is influenced by his life experiences, his work is a combination of his rich Indigenous heritage and lineage - Lakota, Dakota, Chippewa and Métis roots.