Merlin Little Thunder facts for kids

Merlin Little Thunder is a talented Southern Cheyenne artist. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His paintings show the history, people, and land of the Southern Cheyenne. He is famous for his tiny, detailed paintings. He also uses bright colors and humor in his artwork.

Early Life and Art Journey

Merlin Little Thunder was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, in 1956. He grew up in Canton, Oklahoma. This area was a Southern Cheyenne community called Fonda. His great-grandfather, Frank Old Bear, was a performer. He was part of the Miller 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Merlin's uncle, Raymond Williams, was also an artist. He could draw things perfectly from memory. Merlin called growing up in Canton "an Indian kid's paradise."

School Days

Merlin's parents were George and Connie Little Thunder. He went to Longdale Elementary School. Later, his family moved to Okmulgee, OK. Merlin attended Lee School there. His father, George, studied at Okmulgee Tech. After his father finished school, they moved to Enid, OK. Merlin went to Adams and Harrison Elementary schools. Eventually, his family returned to Canton. Merlin finished eighth grade at Longdale. He graduated from Canton High School in 1975.

After high school, Merlin started college in 1975. He went to Southwestern Oklahoma State College (SWOSU). He first studied pre-pharmacy. In 1976, he moved to Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He liked the smaller school setting. Later, he transferred to Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, Oklahoma. This is where he changed his major to art. He left college in 1980 to work in a factory.

Becoming a Full-Time Artist

Merlin moved to Tulsa. There, he met Jim Hewlett. Jim was an art collector. He bought Merlin's drawings and paintings. He also gave Merlin a place to work. By 1981, Merlin's art became very popular. He decided to become a full-time artist. He stopped working in the factory. He then met Julie Pearson, who owned an art gallery. They soon got married.

Art Collections and Style

Merlin Little Thunder is best known for his miniature paintings. These artworks are very small. Some are as tiny as 1¼ by 2½ inches. But they have amazing detail. Merlin says his art comes from spiritual experiences. He mostly paints Cheyenne subjects from his memory.

Humor is a big part of Merlin's work. He enjoys making art that "pokes fun at history." He often paints landscapes with Cheyenne people from the 1800s. He also creates "medicine paintings." These are more spiritual and have no artistic limits. Merlin is also known for his 1950s-style work. These pieces are inspired by his great-grandfather's experiences. His great-grandfather rode in cattle drives. He also performed in the 101 Ranch show.

Merlin Little Thunder's art is displayed in several museums. You can see his work at:

• The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
• The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
• The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
• The Museum of the American Indian

Notable Artworks

Here are some of Merlin Little Thunder's famous artworks:

• "Tornado warning at 3 a.m." shows his grandmother, Daisy Little Thunder, and her family. They are rushing into a cellar to escape a tornado.
• "Keeping an eye on the defense secretary" is a funny, made-up scene. It shows three Indian scouts watching a man in a canoe.
• "The Time Queen Ann Got Ditched Around Hog Creek" shows two Native American men. They are talking intently about a fancy chest of drawers.

Awards and Recognition

Merlin Little Thunder has won many awards. He has earned First Place in miniature painting. He has also won First Place in water-based painting. These awards were given at the Trail of Tears Art Show. He also won at the Santa Fe Indian Market.

In 2010, he received the Moscelyn Larkin Cultural Award. This award came from the Tulsa Commission on Indian Affairs. He has shown his art at the Tulsa Indian Art Festival since the 1990s. In 2015, he was named Honored One at the Red Earth Indian Arts Festival.