Mike Larsen

from Chicasaw Nation Hall of Fame: Mike Larsen Chickasaw Artist (year 2000 inductee)

Mike Larsen is a world-renowned Chickasaw painter and sculptor who has created Native American art for more than 40 years. Many of his works honor the culture and history of the Chickasaw Nation.

The Oklahoma artist was born in 1944. Larsen studied traditional art discipline at Amarillo Junior College, the University of Houston and the prestigious Art Students League of New York. Larsen went on to create artwork for street fairs and then rapidly progressed to painting for nationally acclaimed art festivals.

He has been represented by galleries throughout the country and creates sculptures and paintings commissioned by various corporations, governments and individuals. His pastels, oils and watercolors are on display in museums and private collections throughout the country. Larsen’s work can also be seen in The Native Americans: An Illustrated History.

One of his works titled, "Flight of Spirit," was unveiled as a permanent display in the Oklahoma State Capitol building. The painting features five Native American ballet dancers and is a tribute to the arts in Oklahoma.

One of his greatest achievements was a series of Chickasaw elders paintings, which were published in a two-book series by the Chickasaw Press. Volume one is “They Know Who They Are” and volume two is “Proud to Be Chickasaw.”

Larsen’s talent has won him numerous awards, including Best of Show from the American Indian and Cowboy Artists Association in 1994, master artist by the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Okla., in 1996, Spirit of Oklahoma Award at the 1997 Masters Show at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, 2006 Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Today magazine and 2006 Red Earth Honored One at the Red Earth Festival.

From Proud to be Chickasaw

Among Oklahoma painters, Mike Larsen is a living legend. His work from a twenty-six-foot mural in the Oklahoma state capitol to a painting appearing on the U.S. postage stamp honoring the Oklahoma centennial is visible and prominent. In 2005, leaders of the Chickasaw Nation commissioned Larsen to create twenty-four oil portraits of living Chickasaw elders. After those paintings were completed, the Chickasaws commissioned a second series of twenty-four portraits showcased in this handsome, full-color volume. ...

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• Mike Larsen: Oklahoman of the Year
• Larsen Studios: About Mike Larsen
• https://chickasaw.net/News/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/Mike-... Mike Larsen’s art to be exhibited in Sulphur gallery] Release Date: August 30, 2016 by Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office