The Happy Wanderer

While wandering the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, I stopped at Kiran's booth where she was selling some of her original watercolors and acrylic paintings. She has been living in Santa Fe for the past sixteen years and her subject matter focuses on downtown storefronts, churches, and portraits of people and animals. Kiran has visited many countries:  India, Spain, Greece, Nigeria, England and Sweden. In 2001 she earned a vendor license to display her work in the Plaza, directly across from the Palace of the Govenors on Palace Avenue.

Santo Domingo Annual Arts and Crafts Festival

Brihilda Coriz lives in the Santo Domingo Pueblo where she designs and creates the clothing she was selling at the annual Arts and Crafts Festival over Labor Day weekend. She mentioned that she and her husband used to work together, making jewelry.  After 25 happy years of marriage,  she sadly revealed that she lost her husband five years ago  It was then that she began to make the clothing that you see in the photos. Her warm and friendly personality was as sunny as the garment you see hanging behind her.  I promised to send her copies of these photos after I return to Minnesota.

What a Coincidence!

One day recently as I strolled down Canyon Road, I was captivated by this gallery, which was closed so I couldn't check out the work. Later on another day I went back and met the owner who was busy painting a new piece of art work.  I introduced myself to Ed Larson, the owner/artist, and while we chatted I noticed one of his pieces entitled "Washington Island."  Curious I asked its location. It turned out to be the same Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin which our family has loved and  where we have vacationed each summer for years. Many years ago Ed had owned the business pictured in his painting, and we knew many of the same people on the Island. Uncanny coincidence!