Rafael Medina

Rafael Medina (Teeyacheena), born in 1929 on Zia Pueblo, was known for his paintings and pottery painting. He and his brother, painter José D. Medina, grew up watching their grandmother, potter Trinidad Medina, painting pots. They were also neighbors of the Zia painter Velino Shije Herrera (Ma Pe Wi). Medina was a student at the Albuquerque Indian School and the Santa Fe Indian School and studied under José Rey Toledo and Geronima Montoya.

Medina painted with both acrylic and watercolors. He often painted the pottery made by his wife, Sofia Pino Medina. His painting style, especially on pottery, is influenced by the traditional flat style of Dorothy Dunn, as well as styles from other pueblos. His paintings typically depict ceremonial scenes from Zia Pueblo. His work is in the collections of museums including the Museum of Northern Arizona, Philbrook Museum, and National Museum of the American Indian.