Dana Irene Tiger was born in 1961 to Jerome Tiger and Peggy Richmond. Her father was a full blood Indian of Muskogee-Seminole heritage and her mother is a member of the Cherokee Tribe. Tiger"s father died of an accidental gunshot wound when she was 5 years old and she was raised by her mother.
To promote her father"s work, keep his legacy alive, and be taken seriously as an art dealer, Tiger"s mother ran the business pretending to be a manitoba
Tiger attended Oklahoma State University from 1981-1984 as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She later attended Bacone College.
Her artwork focuses on portrayals of strong women. She uses art as a medium for activism and raising awareness. Tiger was inducted into the Oklahoma Women"s Hall of Fame in 2001.
Tiger first began painting at age 24, after she left Oklahoma State University.
Her themes of strong women grew out of personal experiences of discrimination and tragedy. She uses art as a medium to empower women.
Characteristics of her paintings are resilient women depicted in both historical and contemporary leadership positions, usually in watercolor or acrylic. Tiger often combines art work and advocacy, promoting benefits for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Coalition for Indian Outreach, the American Cancer Society, the National Organization for Women, and the Ozark Literacy Council among others
Native American health is a particular focus.
Youngest Master Artist by Five Civilized Tribes Museum Two Best in Show awards at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum Annual Student Art Show First Place, Watercolor Division, 1988 Tulsa Indian Art Festival, Tulsa, Oklahoma Special Merit Award, 1988 Trail of Tears Art Show, Tahlequah, Oklahoma Featured Artist, 1989 Tulsa Indian Art Festival, Tulsa, Oklahoma Creek Nation Artist of the Year First People's Fund Community Spirit Award, 2001 Inductee, Oklahoma Women"s Hall of Fame, 2001.
