St. Kateri Tekakwitha:

Painting The Lily Among Thorns

by Kevin Pawlowski, Paradise Found Studio

Every painting tells a story, and some stories are so profound they demand to be captured on canvas. The story of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha — the “Lily of the Mohawks” — offered the perfect balance of beauty, faith, and resilience.

My oil painting of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (2025) portrays the first Native American saint with a quiet reverence that mirrors her life. Rendered in the style of contemporary realism, the painting combines lifelike detail with expressive brushwork, drawing the viewer into Kateri’s world of humility, devotion, and deep connection to creation.

The Life and Legacy of St. Kateri

Born in 1656 in what is now upstate New York, Kateri was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin Christian mother. At the age of four, she survived a smallpox epidemic that claimed her parents’ lives but left her with lasting facial scars and impaired vision. Despite these hardships, her mother’s Christian influence remained with her.

At nineteen, she defied opposition within her community by converting to Catholicism. She took the name Kateri, after Saint Catherine of Siena, and pledged her life to prayer, chastity, and acts of penance. Facing ridicule and persecution for her faith, she eventually fled to Kahnawake, a Christian Native community near Montreal, where she lived until her death at age twenty-four in 1680.

Witnesses reported that after her passing, the scars on her face miraculously vanished, leaving her features radiant and serene. She was canonized in 2012 and is honored today as the patroness of ecology, the environment, and Indigenous peoples. Her life remains a symbol of courage, humility, and purity—qualities that Pawlowski sought to embody in his painting.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha by fr. Claude Chauchetière (1696)

Archives de la Ville de Montréal. Fonds Aegidius Fauteux (1900)

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha oil painting portrait by Kevin Pawlowski (2025)

Statue of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, Sunbury, Ohio

Symbolism Woven Into the Painting

The Lily and the Thorns

Central to the composition is the striking contrast of white lilies and thorny branches encircling Kateri. The lilies, a traditional symbol of purity, reference her title, “Lily of the Mohawks,” while the thorns speak to the suffering and persecution she endured throughout her life. Together, they echo the scripture from Song of Solomon 2:2: “Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.” This juxtaposition tells the viewer that Kateri’s holiness shone brightest against adversity.

The Crucifix and Head Scarf

Kateri gently lifts a crucifix in one hand—a gesture of devotion and steadfast faith. At the same time, she modestly shields part of her face with her scarf. This gesture is both practical and symbolic: it references the smallpox scars she carried and her shy humility, while also drawing attention to her identity as a woman who quietly bore suffering with grace.

The Landscape

Behind Kateri, Pawlowski paints the serene wilderness of upper New York: slender birch trees, soft mountains, and a gentle light that suffuses the scene with warmth. The natural setting not only grounds the painting in her homeland but also recalls her patronage of the environment and deep spiritual connection to creation. The light, softly framing her figure, lends the entire composition a sacred glow—subtly suggesting the miraculous transformation that occurred after her death.

My Painting Process

I do my bes to approach my subjects with both reverence and an eye for detail. In St. Kateri Tekakwitha, I tryied balance finely rendered realism with expressive brushstrokes. The delicate modeling of Kateri’s face and hands conveys intimacy and humanity, while the painterly textures of the thorns, lilies, and landscape add vitality and movement.

The painting was built in layers, using traditional oil techniques. Underpainting established values and composition, followed by translucent glazes that deepened color and atmosphere. Each layer added richness and depth, particularly in the interplay of light around Kateri. Hopefully this creates a portrait that feels both grounded in reality and infused with timeless spirituality.

Why St. Kateri Matters Today

Kateri Tekakwitha’s story continues to resonate far beyond her time and culture. As the first Native American saint, she embodies the intersection of Indigenous heritage and Catholic faith. Her life speaks to themes of courage, resilience, and devotion—qualities that inspire across religious and cultural lines.

In an age where people seek meaning, connection, and authenticity, her humility and reverence for nature offer a model of quiet strength.

At 16” x 20,” the original oil on canvas is intimate yet commanding—ideal as a centerpiece in a devotional space, gallery wall, or private collection. For those who cannot acquire the original, museum-quality giclée reproductions make it possible to share in the beauty and meaning of this work. Each reproduction captures the subtle brushwork, vibrant color, and luminous atmosphere of the original, ensuring that the contemplative spirit of Kateri shines through.