About the Artist

I paint to remember how to see.

I am Lee Ghilain, a Cherokee Nation artist. Every painting begins with something I can’t quite say out loud.

My work is rooted in the belief that home is more than a place—it’s a feeling of belonging, memory, and spiritual connection.

Living with macular degeneration has changed the way I paint. Instead of chasing perfection, I follow instinct, allowing color and movement to lead the way. That’s why I paint — to remember how to see.

My work is held in the permanent collection of the Cherokee Nation and in private collections throughout the United States and abroad.

Each painting is an invitation to pause, reflect, and perhaps remember how to see.