Governor's Gallery
Merlin Little Thunder Beyond Rivers and Ridges and Back
January 23 thru March 24, 2006
Born
in Clinton, Oklahoma, Merlin Little Thunder spent his formative years
exploring the lands of various rural areas across his beloved state.
Under the guidance of Woody Crumbo, Jr., Little Thunder transferred
from Southwest Oklahoma University to Bacone College in Muskogee. Bacone
provided an environment strongly focused upon Native American Art.
In 1981, Little Thunder officially declared himself a career artist and, accordingly, much success was to follow. In 2005, he was awarded first place in the painting category and second place in the miniatures category at the Santa Fe Indian Market. His work is included in several private and public collections including thirteen paintings in the Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Little Thunder serves as a guest instructor for Alternative Education Programs in Woodward and Canton, a testament to his dedication to his community.
Little Thunder draws upon his Cheyenne heritage in order to create
images depicting 19th and 20th century Cheyenne life as well as images
that explore the mystical. He also creates rich landscapes inspired
by the grandeur of western Oklahoma. Financial strains led Little Thunder
to painting miniatures and as a result he would evolve into one of
the nation’s top Native American miniature painters. The small-scale
renditions require extreme creativity and relentless patience. Merlin’s
tiny images can be read from 15 feet away due to his sophisticated
use of light and color. As an artist, Little Thunder reflects, “If
an artist couldn’t become famous or make money painting, I would
still do it. A bird can’t be anything else but
a bird.”
More of Merlin Little Thunder's works can be seen at the Oklahoma Indian Art Gallery (405) 685-6162 located in Oklahoma City at 2331 SW 44th Street.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council. For more information contact Scott Cowan or Karen Sharp at 405.521.2931 or scott@arts.ok.gov
Past Governor's Gallery Exhibits