Romando Vigil (Tse-Ye-Mu) facts for kids

Romando Vigil, also known by his Native American name Tse Ye Mu, was a talented painter. He was born on January 23, 1902, and passed away in 1978. Romando Vigil was a Native American artist who taught himself how to paint. He became a very important artist in the San Ildefonso school of painting.

For a short time in the 1950s, he even worked for Walt Disney Studios. There, he helped create art as a painter and illustrator. Vigil is famous for his unique style. He used simple, strong lines to draw dancing people and animals. He often painted with watercolor, gouache, and tempera paints. His artworks show traditional ceremonial dances and scenes from daily life. Sometimes, he also painted abstract designs and pictures of women making pottery. You can find his amazing paintings in many museums. These include the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Both of these are in Washington D.C.

Early Life and Learning to Paint

Romando Vigil was born in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico. His birthday was January 23, 1902, which was also a special Feast Day for his pueblo. His Tewa name, Tse-Ye-Mu, means "Falling Water" or "Falling Cloud."

Romando was the cousin of another famous painter, Tonita Peña. His family on both his mother's and father's sides were skilled potters. He also married into the Martinez family, who were very well-known potters from San Ildefonso. As a young boy, Romando went to the Santa Fe Indian School. There, he learned about painting from his teacher, Elizabeth Robbins. He started his painting career around 1918. He began to paint Pueblo ceremonial dances and figures in his special, artistic way. His early paintings are known for their very careful and precise coloring on paper.

Romando Vigil's Art Career

Throughout his life, Romando Vigil created many beautiful watercolor paintings. He painted Pueblo men and women performing ceremonial dances. He also painted animals and scenes from everyday life. Sometimes, he made abstract and geometric paintings. These looked similar to the works of other San Ildefonso school painters. Some of these artists were Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal), Richard Martinez (Opa Mu Nu), and Abel Sanchez (Oqwa Pi).

Since his family was full of potters, he often painted women making pottery. These paintings show women standing or sitting while shaping and decorating clay pots. His artworks usually do not have detailed backgrounds. His figures often look like they are floating. Romando Vigil always signed his paintings. Sometimes he used his Tewa name, "Tse-Ye-Mu." Other times, he signed "Romando Vigil." Rarely, his signature also included "Santa Fe Indian School" or "Ildefonso Pueblo" below his name.

In 1933, a special art gallery called the Corcoran Gallery of Art asked him to paint a large mural. This mural was for a big art show called the "Exposition of Indian Tribal Arts." This show first opened in New York City in 1931. It was the first major exhibition of American Indian Art that traveled all across the United States.

Working with Disney

After painting for many years, Romando Vigil moved to San Bernardino, California, in the 1950s. There, he started working as an illustrator and animator. He worked for Walt Disney Studios in Hollywood, California. He was there briefly in the early 1950s and again in the 1960s and 70s. Some people have said he made sketches for the animated movie Bambi. However, this is not certain because Bambi came out in 1942, before he started working at Disney.

His time at Disney might have changed his painting style. Many of his paintings from this later period look more lively and animated. This is especially true for his dancing figures. He also started painting his figures with bigger heads, large eyes, and bulky feet. These features made his paintings look more like cartoons. Clara Lee Tanner, who wrote a book about Southwest Indian Painting, said that the animals in most of his paintings were not the right size.

In the mid-to-late 1950s, Romando Vigil went on two trips to Europe. These trips were sponsored by the University of Oklahoma. During these tours, he likely saw art by European artists. This might have also influenced his later artworks. Romando Vigil passed away in 1978 in San Bernardino, California.

Where to See His Art

You can find Romando Vigil’s artworks in many art collections across the United States. Some of these places include:

• Denver Art Museum
• Gilcrease Museum
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Philbrook Art Center
• Museum of Fine Arts Houston
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• Brandeis University's Special Collections
• Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University

Besides museums and galleries, some of his paintings are also at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can also find his work at the Indian School in Santa Fe and in private collections.

Family Life

Romando Vigil was married to Juanita Montoya Vigil (1898–1933). She was also a potter and was the youngest sister of the very famous potter, Maria Martinez (1887-1980). Romando Vigil was also the father of two children, Carmelita Dunlap and Albert Vigil, who also became potters.