Le’Ana Asher is an award-winning contemporary artist known for her powerful representations of Native American culture. With a profound connection to her Ojibwe heritage, she creates vibrant and evocative paintings that explore themes of memory, identity, and resiliency.

Drawing inspiration from her ancestral roots, Le’Ana’s artwork seamlessly combines realism with a contemporary perspective. Her figures, often depicted in authentic regalia, embody the enduring spirit and rich traditions of indigenous peoples. Influenced by old master indigenous artists such as Diego Rivera, Norval Morrisseau, and T.C. Cannon, she brings a modern narrative to her subjects, capturing the beauty, grace, and strength of Native American individuals and their tribal values.

Le’Ana’s artwork has been widely exhibited in both solo and group shows throughout the Midwest and Southwest regions, gaining recognition and numerous awards for her artistic achievements. Her paintings have found homes in private collections across the United States, captivating viewers with their bright colors, masterful technique, and poignant storytelling.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Le’Ana holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Eastern Michigan University. She draws inspiration not only from her formal education but also from the deep artistic traditions passed down by her grandmother, a traditional beadworker, and her late father, an artist, and painter.

Residing in Deerfield, Illinois, Le’Ana Asher continues to create art that speaks to the enduring legacy of her Native American heritage. As a devoted single mother, she finds balance between her artistic practice and nurturing her two children. Her work is a testament to the power of art to preserve cultural traditions, ignite social consciousness, and celebrate the resilience of indigenous peoples.

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Education:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing, Painting, and Photography from Eastern Michigan University (1999)

Group Exhibitions & Shows:

• Evanston Winter Expo, Juried Show, Evanston, IL (2022, 2021)
• Harold Library, Indigenous select artists, Chicago, IL (2023)
• Deerfield Art festival, Juried show, Deerfield, IL (2023)
• Lake Forest Native American Heritage Month, Lake Forest, IL (2022)
• Santa Fe Indian Market, Juried Show, Santa Fe, NM (2023- 2020)
• The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, Chicago, IL, Invite only (2022)
• Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market & Festival, Juried Show, Indianapolis, IN (2023, 2022, 2021)
• LaGrange Art League, Featured Artist, Chicago, IL (2021)
• “Hello Helios: the warming suns of Chicago’s greek town public works”, Public Art, Chicago, IL (2021-2022)
• “The Art of the People: Contemporary Anishinaabe Artists.” Group Show, Saugatuck/Douglas History Center, Saugatuck, MI (2021)
• Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Phoenix, AZ (2021)
• Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Holiday Market, Evanston, IL (2020, 2019)
• Two-Person Exhibition, Trickster Gallery, “Grand Entry”, Schaumburg, IL (2008)
• Citizens Bank, “Evening at the Prado”, Ann Arbor, MI (1999)
• Ypsilanti Arts Gallery, “Native Arts”, Ypsilanti, MI (1999)
• Annual Student Exhibition, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI (1999-1997)

Publications, Press, Blogs:

•  Indian Market Artist , August Market Guide, p.77 (2021
• “Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, and Photography: SFIIM”, Native American Art Magazine, Market Guide, August/September 2021, p.180
• “Virtual Storytelling: Eiteljorg Museum Virtual Indian Market and Festival”, Native American Art Magazine, June/July 2021, p.124
• Cowboys and Indians Magazine Newsletter, “Shopping Virtual Indian Market” (2020)
• Featured Artist at Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian Zoom Events (2020)
• “Maker Inspiration: Le’Ana Asher” (blog), squamartworkshops.com (2019)
• Western Art Collector Magazine, “Emerging Artist, Editors Choice”, April 2018, p.91
• ArtistStrong.com by Carrie Brummer, “How to be an Artist: Le’Ana Asher” (2018)

Awards:

• SWAIA Virtual Indian Market Top 5 Finalist 2D (2020)
• Eiteljorg 2-D Blue Ribbon 2022

Affiliations:

• Associate Artist, American Women Artist (2018-present)
• Portrait society of America