Pop Chalee, also known as Merina Lujan (March 20, 1906 – December 11, 1993),[1] was an American painter, muralist, performer, and singer.

Part of the Lujan family—Joseph, Chalee, and her sisters Mattie and Eva — moved back to the Taos Pueblo soon after their brother's death.

While Native American art shows were traveling around the county, Chalee gave birth to her first son at 18 years old; Jack Cruz (also named Kun Funa or Black Buffalo).

Chalee was not yet part of the movement, but instead she made public appearances in LDS churches on Native American life.

"[9] In Chalee's biography by Margaret Cesa, her progress and involvement at "the Studio could be compared to jumping into a raging river, frightened at first and then later enjoying the speed and power of the rapids so much that she never leaves the water.

"These tasks served to increase Pop Chalee's appreciation of Native American arts and heighten her pride in her Pueblo heritage.

"[18] Her mural work is also on the entrance walls of Maisel's Trading Post on Central Avenue in Albuquerque, generated with several Native and non-native painters in 1939.

[19] Known for her mystical horses and enchanted forests, she also painted scenes from her participation in the Native American Church at Taos.

"Pop Chalee transformed a traditional style of painting to create magical, idyllic images of wide-eyed animals, ceremonial figures, and woodland settings.

It has been proposed that Pop Chalee's work might well have served as the direct inspiration for the 1942 American animated drama film by Walt Disney, Bambi.

"Ceremonial life, 'based on a belief in the oneness of all living things', provided her with an opportunity to observe 'the delicate balance of the relationship between man and nature.

Chalee attributed her success as an artist to the encouragement of Mabel Dodge Lujan and the instruction of her admired teacher Dorothy Dunn, to whom she paid tribute throughout her life.

In an article published in Southwest Art magazine, Sally Euclaire describes Chalee as a dynamic woman with an image.

"Standing tall at well under 5 feet, she sported full bangs and a waist-length braid, body-hugging Capri pants, high-tech sneakers, and New Age crystal jewelry.