Pop Chalee Leaping Horse and Colt [SOLD]

Pop Chalee, or Blue Flower, was known for her whimsical interpretations of animal and forest scenes executed in bold, bright colors. She studied in the 1930s at the Santa Fe Indian School under the tutelage of Dorothy Dunn, whose influence is quite apparent in her work as she created traditional two dimensional scenes of animals and everyday pueblo life. However, she veered away from Dunn's more conservative interpretations of Native life with her use of color and fairytale-like creatures.

Pop Chalee long ago developed a unique style of painting which combines Asian and American Indian motifs. Accused of painting in the "Bambi Style" she explained that it was the other way around—Disney Studios painted in her style.

This painting of a horse and her colt are rendered in her most popular stylized presentation.  Her animals are graceful, elegant and charming.  The presentation of the long slim legs is a trait for which she is famous.  Her animals are outlined in black and painted in pastel colors.  The horses' tails are full and prominent as are their manes.

Pop Chalee had her own special style and no one has attempted to copy her. 

Condition:  The painting is in original condition, including the spots of paint just in front of the bent right leg of the colt.  It appears that this was part of the original painting.

Provenance: from a major painting collector family of Arizona

Recommended Reading:  The World of Flower Blue by Margaret Cesa