Jean Bales facts for kids

Jean Bales (born 1946, died 2003) was an amazing Native American artist. She was a member of the Iowa Tribe from Oklahoma. Jean Bales was known for her beautiful paintings, her printmaking, and for being a historian.

Growing Up and Learning

Jean Elaine Myers Bales was born on December 25, 1946. Her hometown was Pawnee, Oklahoma. Her parents were Lydia May Lincoln and Tildow J. Myers. She also had a brother named Billy Jack Myers.

Jean went to Chickasha High School. She loved art and continued her studies at the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. In 1967, she earned a special degree in fine arts. She even traveled to Mexico to study art more at the Institute of San Miguel Allende.

Her Work as an Artist

Jean Bales first taught crafts at a school in Fort Sill. This school was run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. When the history teacher left, Jean started teaching history too. This made her even more interested in her own Iowa heritage.

After a year, she decided to become a full-time artist. Early in her career, she signed her artwork "J. Bales." This way, people wouldn't know if the artist was a man or a woman.

Jean Bales was also the official historian for the Iowa Tribe. She won over 100 awards for her amazing artwork. Many of her paintings show important historical and cultural moments. They often focus on the lives of Iowa women. You can find her artwork in many public and private collections.

Later Life

Jean Bales passed away on December 8, 2003, in Carney, Oklahoma.