:: Ben Nelson AHN-HIA-OHM Biography ::

Ben Nelson Ahn-Hia-Ohm
LEDGER-STYLE ARTIST

BEN NELSON AKA AHN-HIA-OHM, KIOWA for "He knows", HAS BEEN THE FRONT RUNNER IN THE
NATIVE ART WORLD SINCE 1987. SINCE THEN HE HAS WON ALMOST EVERY PRESTIGIOUS ART
AWARD KNOW TO THE NATIVE ART WORLD. WITH A REPUTATION AS A CHILD PRODIGY HIS ART
TRAINING WAS NURTURED BY HIS MOTHER AND FATHER. BY THE AGE OF SIX HE TOOK THE ART
WORLD BY STORM AND TOOK NO PRISONERS. HE IS WELL MASTERED IN DIFFERENT MEDIUMS AND
IS SOME WHAT OF A RENAISSANCE MAN. HE HAS TAKEN THE LEDGER STYLE OF PAINTING INTO A
NEW DIRECTION. BEN IS A NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST WHO IS KIOWA, NAVAJO, TAOS PUEBLO AND
DELAWARE DESCENT. IN 2001 HE ATTENDED OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY WHERE HE DEVOTED HIS
MIND TO NATIVE RIGHTS. HE HAS A BACKGROUND IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND MOVIE MAKING. HE
RECENTLY COMPLETED HIS TRAINING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, HE IS NOW A LICENSED PARAMEDIC
FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

Ben is a Self-Taught Artist that sees the world of nature without any limitations. When he was 5
years old he saw blue, pink and purple horses. His inspiration moved him to draw and paint in
watercolor. Eventually, he added the use of an airbrush to get the shadowy backgrounds that he
is known for. Ben was chosen as the "Young Emerging Artist" when he was still in elementary
school.

Due to Ben's success in the art world, it has allowed him to meet many people. President Bill
Clinton is a collector of Ben's artwork. When Ben was thirteen years old he had the opportunity to
meet privately with President Clinton. He has also met Billy Mills, Randy Travis, Wes Studi, Rodger
Willie, Heather Wilson, Rodney Grant, Val Kilmer and others. Ben's artwork has been collected by
former President Clinton, Princess Diana, Elton John, John Travolta, UN Ambassadors and many
others.

At the early age of 13 years old Ben Nelson Ahn-Hia-OHm was on the cover of the winter issue of
"Indian Artist Magazine" 1996. His intricate ledger-style watercolors depict Plains Indians tribal life,
from every day to ceremonial.

Ben Nelson with Yellowman

Ben Nelson, Malachi Tsoodle-Nelson,
and Yellowman (left to right) with
Ben's Painted Buffalo Hide at
SWAIA Indian Market. Ben has
produced 3 painted Buffalo hides and
each one is unique.

Ben with "When We Ran with Freedom," created for
the PAINTED PONY Project.

The right and left sides of the horse are different. It
was auctioned off for $40,000 and all the proceeds
went for "The Food Depot" which was able to provide
more than 190,00 meals for the needy in Santa Fe,
New Mexico. He was the youngest artist to participate
at age 16.

President Bill Clinton and Ben Nelson
with "They Ride with the Night Train."
The painting won "Best of Show" at
the Red Earth Art Festival and
is a part of the White House's
permanent collection.
Official White House Photograph,
6/11/96