Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
Standing atop a wind-smoothed rock, the figure’s uplifted face and open posture immediately give this image a quiet, gracious strength. The maiden’s arms spread with eagle feathers in each hand suggest a ritual of reverence; the pose feels steady and intentional rather than theatrical. Don Crowley’s careful rendering of the beadwork, fringe, and layered garments rewards a close look—the pinks and creams of the dress sit gently against the wide, clear sky, while darker elements in the costume anchor the composition and add dignity. Light falls softly across the scene, bathing the figure in an early-morning clarity that reinforces the theme of prayer and new beginnings. Even without reading the title, the combination of still landscape, elevated stance, and attentive detail creates a feeling of quiet ceremony and respectful solitude that lingers after you turn away.
The Artwork
About Prayer to the Morning Sun
Prayer to the Morning Sun<br> LIMITED EDITION CANVAS
Known for his detailed realism and complex designs, Don Crowley’s artwork sits at the apex of many painter’s and collector’s wish lists. In Prayer to the Morning Sun, Crowley depicts a Paiute maiden in her morning prayer ritual using eagle feathers as totem. “When I was growing up the only thing I knew about Indians came from movies and magazines. It was all unrelentingly negative and simplistic,” Crowley says.“As an adult I realized these were a people forced to the brink of extinction and that their story was a true tragedy. I have learned to care about the customs of their everyday life and the beauty of their sacred ceremonies. It is this essence of Indian life I bring to my art.”
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
Product-specific details, edition information, provenance, and special considerations are shown here when applicable.
About the Collection
Don Crowley (1926–2019) was a renowned Western artist celebrated for his realistic oil paintings that vividly portray Native American life, particularly focusing on Apache and Paiute subjects. His meticulous attention to detail and deep respect for his subjects are evident in his work, capturing the dignity and culture of American Indians. Crowley was an esteemed member of the Cowboy Artists of America and received numerous accolades for his contributions to Western art. His pieces are highly sought after by collectors and have been featured in various exhibitions and collections
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Don Crowley.
Authorized Source
Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
"Born in Redlands, California, Don Crowley got started in the world of art at
such an early age that he couldn t remember a time when he wasn t drawing.
During his school years in Santa Ana, he read everything he could about art
and spent every spare moment developing his skill. Service in the Merchant
Marines and the Navy enabled Crowley to enroll in the Art Center School of
Design in Los Angeles under the G.I. Bill. Five years later, he moved to New
York and began a successful career in commercial illustration.
After more than twenty years in the Northeast, Crowley felt restricted by the
narrow range of his commercial work and began to work more extensively in fine
art. In 1973, he accepted an invitation to exhibit his paintings at a gallery
in Arizona. He was so taken by the area that he decided to continue his career
there.
With his family, Crowley settled in the Southwest, where he began forging a
relationship with a group of Native Americans. Although he is recognized and
respected for many different kinds of paintings, he is best known for his
sensitive and skilled portraits of these Apache and Paiute women and children.
Crowley visits the San Carlos Reservation annually to continue chronicling the
lives of his subjects. "I hope that my work expresses the beauty and dignity
of these very special people," he says. Through Crowley s work, his collectors
have watched his subjects grow over the years. Occasionally you ll see a rare
Don Crowley image of a cowboy or a cattle drive, but what he is best known for
are handsome, clear portraits of Native American women and children, not to
mention their colorful Pendleton blankets. In fact, long-time collectors of
his work may see the same subject as both a girl and woman, wearing the
colorful, geometric-patterned blanket that was handed down from generation to
generation.
In 1995, he was elected to the Cowboy Artists of America and, in his first
year, won the CA Gold Medal for Drawing. The following year he was awarded
four awards: a Gold Medal for Oil, Silver Medal for Drawing, the CA Award and
the Kieckhefer Best in Show Award. With customary dry humor, Crowley termed
this accomplishment very encouraging.
"
Sand Creek Memories
$895.00
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