Native American Art of Karen Noles

Karen Noles has lived, and professionally painted on the Flathead Indian Reservation

located in Northwest Montana for the last 35 years. Her renowned specialty is oil paintings of Native Americans, especially Indian children. Karen`s sensitive portrayal of pre- and early reservation Indians, using actual Native Americans modeling authentic period clothing and collectible artifacts, has generated a national following. Her meticulous, fine brush attention to the Indian`s exquisite and masterful use of bead and quill work is stunning.

“I love to see and experience all that is good and beautiful; to paint the image and the emotion, ‘masterfully,’ is an infinite and rewarding challenge.”

One of the most exciting elements I experience in photographing and working with children is capturing them experiencing life and being “in the moment” and “in harmony” with their environment and nature. This painting is an example of one of those magical times that my little Salish Native American model forgot I was there and was totally immersed in the moment and the magical wonder of the magnificence of nature. There was no instructuion from me as to “stand here, do this or that”. To see through a child’s eyes is to appreciate, to be grateful…and to regain our own sense of “wonderment”. Karen Noles