A daughter of Maria (Mary Agnes) and Mosminio Tafoya, Gwen Tafoya was born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1965. She made her first pieces of pottery at the age of 6, then worked her way through small bowls and jars until she was making larger pieces as a teenager. She learned the basics of the traditional way from her mother and grandmother, Severa Tafoya. At first Gwen was carving her pieces but later graduated to doing sgraffito work.

Gwen's favorite shape is the seed pot because it gives her plenty of room to etch designs including hummingbirds and flowers on the top of the piece. She also enjoys making wedding vases because they have special meaning for her. Her pieces range from black to brown to red in color, depending on how she fires them. Gwen signs her pieces: Gwen Tafoya SCP.

Gwen counts Angela Baca, Belen Tapia and Madeline Naranjo among her aunts. Paul Speckled Rock and Tina, Greg and Virginia Garcia were cousins.