Archie Blackowl facts for kids

Archie Blackowl was a famous Cheyenne painter from Oklahoma. He was very important in Native American art during the mid-1900s. Archie believed in leaving a mark so that young people could learn from his art. He once said, "Leave a mark. Put something down so that when the young people see it they will understand."

About Archie Blackowl's Early Life

Archie Blackowl was born in Custer County, Oklahoma, on November 23, 1911. Like many Native American artists, he grew up feeling connected to nature. His culture taught him to appreciate natural textures. This helped create a special style of traditional Indian painting. This style often showed flat, shaded images of Native life. It was a popular style in art shows and helped define what people called "real Indian art."

Archie Blackowl's Education and Art Journey

In 1918, when Archie was about seven years old, the American government sent him to an Indian boarding school. He shared his feelings about this time: "When I was about seven years old they took me to this Indian school of the government's and we had to stand in line and they cut my hair off. They just cut my braids off and threw them into a box with all the other children's braids." His grandmother later got his braids back. He said, "It was hard being an Indian in them days. Later I learned to be proud."

Archie studied at Haskell Indian Nations University. He learned from an artist named Olle Nordmark. Archie started painting professionally in the early 1930s. He became known for painting large murals and smaller studio pieces. One of his big projects was painting a mural in The Palmer House Hilton, a hotel in Chicago.

Archie Blackowl's Life and Art Style

Archie Blackowl had many different jobs throughout his life. He was a teacher, a judge at art shows, and even worked for Walt Disney studios. He also painted for the aircraft industry and worked for the government. But he was always an artist.

Many people consider Blackowl to be one of Oklahoma's most important traditional painters. His artwork shows the traditional culture and daily life of the Southern Plains people. He often used tempera paint or mixed different art materials. His paintings usually showed dancers or ceremonies in a style called "Flat style." This style came from the Dorothy Dunn school or Bacone style of painting.

Blackowl was famous for his unique dancers wearing traditional clothing. His paintings often had no backgrounds, making the figures stand out. He also created art on blackboards. Because he stayed true to the traditional flat painting style, he was honored as a "Living Legend" in 1990.

Archie Blackowl's art has inspired many artists today. Young Native artists often look to his work to learn about tradition and painting skills.

Archie Blackowl's Career and Awards

Art collectors encouraged Native American artists to enter their work in competitions. One important show was the Philbrook Indian Annual. This show helped grow Native American fine art in the 20th century. Before the 1946 show, Archie Blackowl was asked to paint some large, good Cheyenne scenes to enter. Later, he became a judge at this show. He helped connect Native American people and their art to a wider audience.

Archie Blackowl's paintings are in many museums. You can find his work at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's also at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico. The Sequoyah Research Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, also has his art. Many private collectors across the country own his paintings too.

Public Collections

You can find Archie Blackowl's work in these public art collections:

• Oklahoma State Art Collection
• Sam Noble Museum
• American Indian Arts
• Pierson Gallery of America Fine Art
• Mutual Art

Archie Blackowl's Passing

Archie Blackowl passed away on September 15, 1992, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He had ten children.