Joe Hopkins is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation. He was adopted by a white family when he was eight years old. Hopkins reconnected with his biological family when he turned eighteen, and was immersed in Native American culture and history. He states: “I started learning the real history. I think that really struck a chord with me, as far as this is what I want to know. And, I knew I wanted to do something to help. I think the way I paint, it’s something that people can see. People that stop by my booth, they smile. I think that’s probably my biggest motivation for what I do.” Hopkins uses bright colors to blend history with the contemporary.