Elmer provided his own biographical sketch, so rather than editing it, we present it in full in his own words.

My name is Elmer Yungotsuna and I'm a Tewa artist. I'm a self-taught artist. I've been carving since about 1990. My first year was trial and error. My first doll took me about a month to finish, it was a Shalako Mana. I enjoy creating the pieces, especially the sculptures. Some of the cottonwood is twisted and I enjoy that challenge. I use mostly hand tools like knives, hacksaw, crosscut saw and a hammer.

I've been on the Art Show circuit for about two and a half years and my dolls and sculptures have won different kinds of ribbons; first, second, third and honorable mention. Since I am an artist I also create in beadwork, silk-screen, old style wottonwood earrings, leather work, wooden wall hangings, drawings, wood-block prints, photography, etc.

I am short by one to two years from getting my teaching degree. I plan on returning to school to get my degree and then I will teach children about my art.