By Carrie Bradshaw-Buckley , Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Phase two of Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen's Elders series will be on exhibit at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City beginning October 8, 2009 through March 26, 2010. 

The second set of twenty-four paintings, "I am Very Proud to be Chickasaw," was created after an overwhelming response from the Chickasaw people to the first set, unveiled in November of 2007 at the Oklahoma History Center.

"Mr. Larsen has done an excellent job of capturing the strength, spirituality, sense of humor and other honorable characteristics of our elders," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "These portraits are one way to express our gratitude and preserve the legacy of the elders who have paved the way for our success." 

Commissioned by the Chickasaw Nation in 2004, the "They Know Who They Are" was intended to capture the tribe's elders on canvas.

Larsen and his wife, Martha, spent numerous hours interviewing and sketching each of the elders portrayed.

"We got to know them, to listen to their stories, listen to their history and go into their homes," Larsen said of the process. 

"It's been the most incredible experience that Martha and I have had." 

A number of the paintings will also be exhibited Friday, Oct. 2 during the Cultural day at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, 500 Charles Cooper Memorial Road, Sulphur. The paintings will be on display from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Aattifama Room.

Larsen's artwork has become a familiar sight in Oklahoma. Adorning the Oklahoma State Capitol Rotunda is "Flight of Spirit," a 26-foot mural of five world-famous Native American ballerinas. 

Also hanging in the State Capitol is his breathtaking landscape featuring the sun-drenched Cimarron River, which was chosen in 2006 as the image for Oklahoma's Centennial postage stamp.

Larsen has also been commissioned by the Oklahoma Art Institute, the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Civic Music Hall to create art for their venues. 

The Gaylord Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum is located at 1400 N. Classen in Oklahoma City. For more information on the exhibit, contact the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities at (580) 272-5520.

Featured elders and paintings are:
           
            Juanita Tate                            "She Knew My Father"
            Kennedy Brown                     "Indispensable"
            Phillip Agnew                         "Sober Indian"
            Gene Thompson                     "I'm so Proud to be Chickasaw"
            Thelma "Chincie" L. Ross       "Code Talkers
            Mable Edna Smith                  "She Whispered"
            Bernard Courtney                   "Water Bread and Water Gravy"
            John Atkins                            "Infant Boy Atkins"
            Daisy Blackbird                      "Our Oldest Citizen"
            Marvin Mitchell                       "Proud of his Sons"
            Colbert Hackler                      "The Fiddle Player"
            Lenora Hobbs                         "Elegant"
            Weldon Fulsom                       "How Turtle got its Shell"
            Irene Digby                             "Cherished One"
            Glenda Galvan                         "Patron Saint of Children"
            Luther John                             "Keeper of History"
            Bob Wooley                           "The Cattleman"
            Beaulah Shavney                     "She Served Her Country"
            Lorena Wooley                       "Chilocco"
            The Milligan Siblings                "Days of Hoover Hogs"
            Zane Browning                        "Too Tall"
            Beatrice Barrick                      "The Milkyway Girl"
            Charles Blackwell                    "Mr. Ambassador"
            Catherine McGuire                  "Memories of My Dad"