Adobe Gallery Blog

A book published in 1997 entitled "The World of Flower Blue" by Margaret Cesa provides a wonderful look into the life of Pop Chalee. Cesa states "Pop Chalee was one of the first Native American woman artists to achieve national fame, recognition and commercial success."  The author continues to explore the artist, who was born of a Swiss mother and Taos Pueblo father, in 1906.  Her father, Joe Lujan, was the brother of Tony Lujan who was the last husband of Mabel Dodge Lujan.

Merina Lujan - Pop Chalee (Blue Flower) graduated from the Santa Fe Indian School in 1937 and was a student at The Studio under the tutelage of Dorothy Dunn.  The author continues: "Her paintings, jewelry, textile designs and murals grace museums, private collections and public institutions across the county.  During her artistic life, Pop knew some of the most influential people of her times."

Read more about this painting here.