BARTHELL LITTLE CHIEF

Barthell Little Chief, a full-blood Kiowa/Comanche Indian, paints and sculpts using the power of Nature and its elements, the power of the Plains Indian medicine and the power of the warrior ethic.   Little Chief not only is considered one of the masters of the traditional style of painting, winning numerous awards and recognition across the country, he has ventured into the contemporary style with stretched canvas paintings and alabaster sculptures.   He believes that although Indian Art has continued to evolve and it is important to keep abreast of the times, there should always be a place for the traditional style of artwork.

Little Chief’s watercolors contain all the elements Americans normally associate with Indians: buffalo, horses, feathered headdresses, and sun-swept plains but they are transformed into spiritual and visionary art.   Warriors wheeling their horses in mid-air, showing their pride and rebellious spirit appeal to other Indians today from all tribes.   “I do not paint bent-over ‘End of the Trail’ Indians and I believe that is why so many young Indian kids tell me they like my work...women too.”

The ample lore about the Kiowas and Comanches as renowned warriors and Mexico vastly influenced his work.   They made an impression on Catlin and many explorers and historical photographers.   Little Chief was blessed with the opportunity to learn the living traditions and customs from his father, grandfather and other respected elders of today, allowing him to interpret Plains culture correctly.   For example, a warrior’s shield decorated with highly personal designs is his private possession.   “I don’t use anyone’s design with out asking permission...it’s like using someone else’s coat-of-arms,” he points out.   He distinguishes between Indian art which arises from one’s personal and tribal experiences, from that of art about Indians. In the latter genre, an artist that paints a picture from a photograph or from an idea of what an Indian is.   Through this explanation, he shares an important distinction for the definition of authentic Native American Art.

In 1990, Little Chief’s painting style became more loose and contemporary as opposed to his tightly controlled fine detail of his traditional style.   “the difference between my traditional and contemporary styles is like the difference of driving a sports car and a Mack truck,” he says.

In 1994, Little Chief started sculpting Colorado Alabaster and in the first three shows he entered, he won three First Place and one Second Place in sculpture, including Best of Category in stone sculptures at Red Earth.   Little Chief has won five ‘Grand Award’ and numerous First and Second Places in painting and sculpture and in graphics in many juried fine art shows from coast to coast.   He has won more than 400 art awards including one from the Santa Fe Indian Market.   He is currently building and beading Kiowa and Comanche Cradleboards.

Little Chief is listed in numerous books including, Who’s Who in American Art, American Artists, and Kiowa Voices-Volume II.   Whether traditional or contemporary paintings or stone sculptures, Little Chief has continued evolving his art.