Artist known for Native American ledger paintings has died

SPOKANE  (AP) — Artist George Flett, a member of the Spokane Tribe, has died at the age of 66.

Flett was skilled in sculpture, bead working and silversmithing, but was best known for his ledger art.

The Spokesman-Review said Flett died Wednesday of complications from diabetes

Ledger painting is a Native American art form dating to the mid-1800s, when artists started drawing pictures of heroic deeds and sacred visions on pages torn from U.S. Army ledger books.

Flett based his mixed-media paintings on Spokane Indian legends, history and cultural events.

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com