The Art of Tse Tsan
Born Tse Tsan, or Golden Dawn, Pablita Velarde was a Pueblo artist and painter from Santa Clara Pueblo, United States. Her journey into the arts began at the Santa Fe Studio School, where she became one of the first women students under Dorothy Dunn. During this time, she developed a style known as "flatstyle" painting, which she referred to as "memory paintings" intended to preserve the traditional ways of life of her people. Her early works were created exclusively in watercolor, but she eventually transitioned to a unique method of creating "earth paintings." To achieve this, she prepared her own paints by grinding minerals and rocks on a metate and mano, resulting in a powdery substance used in a process similar to fresco secco.
Legacy and Recognition
Velarde's career included significant commissions, such as depicting scenes of traditional Pueblo life for the Bandelier National Monument under a grant from the Works Progress Administration. Her work has been exhibited in various locations, including New Mexico, Florida, and California, and is held in collections such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Her artistic achievements were recognized through several honors, including:
