James Bama blends realism with spirituality in his portraits of the contemporary West, from dude ranchers, trappers and restless young Native American men, to descendents of renown warriors and delicate beauties in ceremonial dress like Little Star. The conflict between Native American myth and reality disappears with Bama’s paintings of the unique personalities that surround him in Wyoming. “'Little Star' is the Indian name for Millie Cody, this beautiful Navajo maiden,” says Bama. “I had the chance to see her teaching ancient crafts in Indian dress, going to church in a long pioneer-style gown and dancing to rock in hip huggers. She could easily have become Miss Indian America. To me, she was."