Lakota and Cherokee artist turns early love of comics into impactful art career
By Malena Larsen
Kristina Maldonado-Bad Hand, a Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist, fell in love with art the moment she was able to hold a pencil. What started as a hobby with her siblings and in the classroom evolved into a passion, a career and a powerful form of storytelling.
Echo – Mixed media portrait
“I originally got into comics,” Maldonado-Bad Hand shares. “I was dyslexic, and comics actually helped me learn how to read.”
Of her three siblings, Maldonado-Bad Hand was the only one born outside of Colorado (Taos, New Mexico). However, she came to Denver to attend the Art Institute of Colorado. Because of her family ties to the area, involvement in the Native community, and deep love for the city, she never looked back. She has been in Colorado for over a decade.
The experiences and memories she has created in Denver served as inspiration for a project she did with other local artists for the Denver Art Museum (DAM). The “Map of Denver” was an interactive mural in DAM’s Storytelling Studio.
Visitors were invited to write down their personal memories tied to specific locations on the map and pin them to those spots. Maldonado-Bad Hand intentionally included places like parks and museums instead of typical tourist destinations. She wanted to focus on locations where meaningful memories are often made.
Although Maldonado-Bad Hand primarily focuses on digital art, she explores a variety of mediums. She particularly enjoys blending traditional and digital techniques.
“I like to scan textures, like watercolors or sidewalks,” she says. “It gives my paintings a traditional feel.”
A form of art that Maldonado-Bad Hand is particularly drawn to is Ledger art—a type of narrative art typically practiced by Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains. It emerged in the late 19th century as Native Americans adapted to forced relocation to reservations.
Ledger art often illustrates historical events, personal experiences, and cultural stories. Maldonado-Bad Hand likes to scan in ledger paper and use it as a base for her digital art.
Maldonado-Bad Hand has a diverse portfolio. Her website features detailed and colorful mushrooms on ledger paper, portraits of celebrities like Prince and Betty White, Native American-inspired comics, and much more. Regardless of the subject or medium, she finds purpose in every project she takes on.
“With the graphic design that I do, for example, I like to do a lot of research with each logo,” she explains. “What is the logo trying to say? Is it for a school or a tribal program? You have to think about the meaning and impact. If you don’t understand the meaning of what you’re doing, the impact won’t have the same value.”
She believes that gaining a deep understanding of her clients is crucial. For instance, when creating a logo for a tribal community that holds specific cultural beliefs, such as an aversion to owls, she ensures those elements are respected and excluded from the design.
“Same thing with color theory,” she adds. “Depending on the tribe, different colors can mean different things.”
She recalls an experience she had creating a Polynesian comic; she learned the importance of thorough research firsthand.
“I was fresh out of college and thought it was a cool idea, but it was under-researched,” she admits.
She is now revisiting this project, Kaui, a Polynesian version of Beauty and the Beast, with more comprehensive research as well as collaboration with a Hawaiian artist.
Maldonado-Bad Hand’s involvement in the art scene goes beyond personal projects and client work. She is a teaching artist with Think360 and Denver Parks and Recreation. Additionally, she and her husband, Rafael Maldonado-Bad Hand, co-founded áyA Con, which is “a comic and arts festival celebrating nerd culture and cultural heritage.”
Although áyA Con primarily focuses on uplifting Native American artists, the turnout is extremely diverse. With over 150 vendors, an eclectic selection of musical and dance performances, film screens, panels, and more, there’s something for every artist.
According to Maldonado-Bad Hand, festivals like áyA Con are excellent platforms for emerging artists to enter the scene.
“Participate in festivals, take part in áyA, make connections, and build your network. It’s all about who you know—unfortunately, that’s the reality. Find people who can lift you up. An artist’s community is so important.”
Whether it’s planning an upcoming festival or the creation of a traditional-meets-digital piece, Maldonado Bad Hand’s work reflects her commitment to cultural respect and storytelling.
Malena Larsen is a writer and Minnesota transplant. In addition to writing, she spends her time running in the mountains, visiting local craft breweries, and avoiding aggressive geese.