An enrolled member of the Temoak Tribe of Western Shoshone, Micqaela Jones was raised on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation of the Shoshone and Paiute Nations, 100 miles northeast of Elko, Nevada. Childhood was filled with rich visual experiences—hunting, fishing, and exploring Nevada’s outdoors alongside siblings. With a father who was also a painter and a hardworking mother, creativity and diligence were instilled early.  

When she was 13, the family moved to Elko, Nevada, where school and work in the family’s construction business became central. An art career seemed unlikely at the time.  

At 18, a chance meeting with Alex, her future husband, led to marriage two years later and a move to Santa Cruz, California. Life and work took them to Mexico, Nevada, and Utah, where painting became a serious pursuit. A gallery owner, Rod Erwin, provided an opportunity, selling several pieces and setting her artistic career in motion.  

Since 2002, her work has been showcased at prestigious events, including the Santa Fe Indian Market, Eiteljorg Museum Indian Art Market, Autry Museum, Cherokee Art Market, and Red Earth Market, among others.  

Her paintings merge Shoshone culture with contemporary expression, resulting in vivid, colorful works. Continually evolving, she explores new ideas, techniques, and artistic directions, sharing a deep connection to her heritage through
her art.

Buy her available artwork here.🎨