Much against her father’s will, Pablita insisted on pursuing a career in art—a career that was not open to women at that time. If she was to pursue an art career, she was expected to be a potter, not a painter, or perhaps a stay-at-home mom, doing woman’s work. After meeting Dorothy Dunn at The Studio at the Santa Fe Indian School, Pablita was convinced that a career in painting was her calling.

We are fortunate that she pursued the career of her choice. We now have a collection of art that is truly inspiring. She revived the art of painting with earth minerals—a method used by her ancestors when painting in caves and on rocks. It would have been so much easier for her to go to the art supply store and purchase commercial paint, but she chose the hard way—a way that would significantly increase the amount of work involved before even starting to paint.

This earth painting of a Yei figure is the result of her resolute determination to excel at her chosen career. The lines are precise and the image is ethnographically accurate.

The painting is signed in lower right. It is in the original handmade wood frame.