Wakie Trudeau McBride believes that part of the "art spirit" is to give back to the community and nurture emerging artists. For thirty years, she has taught art to all age groups in private classes and by special invitation in the public education system. She operated her own art and gift gallery for several years.An accomplished artist and painter, Wakie has studied with Jim Fallier, AWS; Milford Zornes, Sheila Parsons, Larry Weston, Tony Couch, Lola Doom, and others. Having produced and sold over 250 paintings, she has had many one-woman shows and won numerous awards. She and her artwork were featured in Oklahoma Artists of Distinction. Galleries across the United States have embraced and sold her art. She has also exhibited at the Arkansas Wildlife Federation show.She has been a member of several art associations, including the Sequoyah County Arts and Humanities Council (serving four different terms as its president), the Crawford County Art Association, the Goddard Art Center, and the Ardmore Art Guild. She also helped organize the Arts and Humanities Council in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Speaking on television or in person to numerous civic organizations, Wakie is an advocate for art as a way to create a balanced life.In 2000, Wakie experienced a debilitating stroke one month after the loss of her husband. Finding herself unable to draw or paint, she did not give up. With prayer, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and a lot of determination, she began painting again. She started in oils because she had more time to think with oil than with watercolor, and the medium is more forgiving. Two and a half years later, she emerged more proficient than before the stroke.