Adobe Gallery Blog
Subject: Original Painting "Enchanted Forest"
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.
She was well known for her murals and was commissioned to do work for Marshall Fields in Chicago, Santa Fe Railroad Ticket Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico State Capitol Building, the Albuquerque Airport and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. One of her most interesting works, which can still be seen today, is part of a mural commissioned by Maisel's Gallery on Central Avenue in downtown Albuquerque. In this piece she collaborated with other well known artists Harrison Begay, Awa Tsireh, Joe Herrera and Pablita Velarde.
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 what Pop Chalee called an Enchanted Forest is among the favorite of collectors of her work. Everything and everyone in the Enchanted Forest is happy and carefree. Perhaps that is what is so charming about such a piece and why art lovers appreciate it.
The painting is framed without glass and with wide silk-covered matting. It appears to be in original excellent condition.
Provenance: Estate of Abe Fortas, former Supreme Court Justice under President Lyndon Johnson.
Recommend Reading: The World of Flower Blue by Margaret Cesa
Subject: Original Painting "Enchanted Forest"
Artist: Merina Lujan (1906-1993) Pop Chalee - Blue Flower
Category: Paintings
Origin: Taos Pueblo
Medium: Casein on Artist Board
Size: 10-1/2" x 23-1/2" image; 19-1/2" x 31" framed
Item # C3138A
