Elaine Shelde
Elaine Shelde is a full blood Pima Indian and resides in the Komatke Village of District 6. Daughter of the late Anselm and Esther Shelde, Elaine has lived on the Gila River Indian Reservation for most of her life, except when seeking education in other states. Shelde attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 15 and from that point on, her interest in the arts was piqued.
Shelde received an Associate of Arts at Central Arizona College, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona in Art Education, took courses in Graphic Design and Ceramics at Phoenix College, as well as studied Psychology and Art at the University of Oklahoma.
Her art is a story of her love for the desert environment she grew up in and the beautiful sunsets and sunrises she has witnessed inspire her creative spirit. Her preferred mediums have evolved over the years starting with soft pastels, then watercolor and now, Shelde is experimenting with photography. Shelde hopes that anyone who views her work will take with them a sense of peace.
