Herman T. Gilbert, also known as “Tawodi,” is a descendant of the Chickamauga Cherokee. He was born in 1949 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a region historically connected to Cherokee communities. His family later lived in the area of Kensington, Georgia, near historic Chickamauga Cherokee settlements. Tawodi’s artistic journey began at the age of three, and his passion led him to earn a B.A. in Arts from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Over the years, he has mastered various artistic mediums, including sculpture, oil painting, watercolor, drawing, inkwork, woodcraft, clay, leatherwork, and beadwork. Three of Tawodi’s artworks are currently featured in museums in Chattanooga, while many additional pieces are held in private collections throughout the Southeastern United States.