Raymond Nordwall is of Pawnee, Cherokee and Chippewa heritage. He began his studies at the age of fourteen under the tutelage of renowned artist Johnny Tiger, Jr. Raymond later attended the institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, from which he graduated with honors. Following graduation, he studied with Santa Fe artist, Frank Howell.
Nordwall depicts traditional Native American subjects in a bold and contemporary manner. His originals, paintings on large canvases, as well as monotypes on paper, portray action and emotion in vivid color. Every detail of the subjects' costumes and accouterments is meticulously researched by the artist, resulting in perfect historical accuracy in the finished piece. Nordwall's monotypes and graphics are graceful and flowing images of warriors, dancers and landscapes of the west.