Native American Biography: Tonita Pena: San Ildefenso: Artist

Tonita Pena is mostly a self taught artist.  She started with crayons.  Then archeologist Edgar Hewett kept her supplied with water colors and paper.  She was the mother of eight children by three different men.  She also tended 100 fowl, had hogs and a flower garden.  She was a very busy woman with household responsibilities.  She would find time to pain at night by kerosene lamp.  She painted on wood, masonite, canvas and paper.  She used water colors, pen, colored ink and oils.  She mostly painted women at work and dance scenes.