“I want to move people; have a voice in the world.
If you move people you are doing your job as an artist.”

Born and raised in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation, art is in Louis Still Smoking’s veins. Inspired by other talented family members, he found art to be therapeutic, and started drawing and painting at a young age. Growing up in a small community allowed him to focus on his ability to use a pencil and paintbrush. Louis finds all medias equally important opportunities to express art to the world through his eyes. He likes to take on a challenge, and puts everything into his work. He graduated from Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, South Dakota in 1998. Louis worked as a stone sculptor for 11 years, then decided to go back to college and further his studies in art. With a sculptural mind, he found that his painting and drawing skills needed further development, so he took on an emphasis in painting. 

Louis’ artwork is influenced by the Impressionists, and Lucian Freud. He finds researching the history of the AIM movement to be inspiring, because of what they accomplished based on wanting to make a difference.

Louis’s work is always evolving and growing. “I try to convey a message that is relevant to all native peoples, whether that be social or political. My work expresses my own personal beliefs and struggles as a modern Native American.”

Louis’ work can be found on Facebook and Instagram. He will also be a part of Tinworks Art in August.