Pablita Velarde (1918-2006)
A Trailblazing Pueblo Artist

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | July 2025

Pablita Velarde (1918–2006), born Tse Tsan, meaning “Golden Dawn” in the Tewa language, was a pioneering Native American artist from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. Renowned for her vivid depictions of traditional Pueblo life, Velarde broke barriers as one of the first women from her community to pursue painting as a professional career, defying cultural expectations and gender norms of her time. Her work, celebrated for its intricate detail and cultural authenticity, has left an enduring legacy in Native American art.

Pablita Velarde’s painting “Ga’an Dancer” (Mountain Spirit) has recently arrived at Chimayo Trading. Stop by the gallery or visit chimayotrading.com to make it your own.

“Ga’an Dancer” (Mountain Spirit), Original earth pigment paints on board – 12” x 10” SOLD

As a young girl, Velarde faced significant challenges, including temporary blindness caused by a cataract-like eye condition. An Indian remedy restored her sight, though her left eye remained impaired for life. This experience sharpened her attention to detail, which later became a hallmark of her work.

In the 1930s, painting was considered a male pursuit in Pueblo culture, and Velarde faced criticism from community leaders for choosing it over traditional pottery. Undeterred, she graduated from Santa Fe Indian School in 1936 where she studied art and was encouraged to embrace traditional artistic techniques and began selling small paintings for 50 cents under the governor’s porch at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. Her perseverance paid off in 1939 the National Park Service commissioned her to create over 80 paintings for Bandelier National Monument. These works, depicting traditional Pueblo clothing, architecture, and daily life, drew on her childhood memories and helped preserve cultural knowledge for future generations.

Velarde’s innovative approach included creating her own mineral earth paints, grinding rocks and minerals into powder using a metate and mano, a process rooted in ancestral techniques. These “earth paintings” distinguished her work, blending traditional methods with modern artistry. Her subjects ranged from ceremonial dances, like the Buffalo and Eagle Dances, to everyday scenes, such as women baking bread or grinding corn, often capturing the lives of Pueblo women with a rare insider’s perspective.

“Winter Hunting Scene”, Original gouache on paper – 18.5″ x 17.5″, SOLD

Velarde’s career flourished as she gained recognition across the United States and beyond. Despite her success, Velarde remained grounded in her Pueblo identity. She lived in Albuquerque for nearly 50 years, raising two children with her husband, Herbert Hardin. Her daughter, Helen Hardin (Shop Helen Hardin >>), and granddaughter, Margarete Bagshaw (Shop Maragrete Bagshaw >>) and her niece whom she raised like a daughter, Michelle Tsosie Sisneros (Shop Michelle Tsosie Sisneros >>), all became acclaimed artists, forming a unique three-generation dynasty of Native American women painters.

Velarde’s work is housed in prestigious collections, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and Bandelier National Monument. Her paintings not only documented a changing Pueblo culture but also challenged stereotypes by showcasing its vibrancy and resilience. In a 1979 interview, she reflected, “Painting was not considered women’s work in my time. A woman was supposed to be just a housewife and a mother and chief cook. Those were things I wasn’t interested in.” Her defiance of these expectations inspired future generations, including her own family.

“Basket Dance”, Original gouache on board ca. 1950s – 20″ x 33.5″ SOLD

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Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

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