northern New Mexico artist, Richard Sandoval

McLarry Fine Art Gallery on Canyon Road had a reception Friday (2/10/12) night for artist Richard Sandoval and his collection of paintings and sculptures. He has been painting New Mexico landscapes for most of his 70 years, concentrating on northern New Mexico. In addition to the work in the exhibit, Mr. Sandoval has illustrated books, exhibited at Spanish Market, written books, and has been involved artistically with New Mexico Magazine for many years.  The gallery was packed with lifelong fans and newcomers to his art as well. He obligingly posed for this photo as others were snapping away as well.

A New Mexico Icon

After Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings became widely known and appreciated, this icon definitely is identified with New Mexico.  

To see more Camera Critter's photos, go here.

Rose the Lavender Lady

Rose is definitely a vision in all her finery.  For several years now whenever I am in Santa Fe, I visit the Farmers' Market on Saturdays.  She is always there, selling her  products which relate to her special color,  such as sachet encased in lavender packets.  Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, she has been living happily in Santa Fe for many years.  She told me that she also is a film maker so next time I go to the market, I'll need to find out more about  her interest and activity in film, tv, and theater.

Rose is the 66th portrait I have posted on Flickr for my 100 Stranger Project. To learn more about it , click here: www.100strangers.com/

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.

Doorway or Gate?-ABC WEDNESDAY "D"

Doorway to mi casa.  Inside is a small courtyard which Maggi, our dog, often enjoys.  

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos, go here.

Yesterday I posted several dune trees, and Birdman from Portland, Maine suggested that he'd like to see them in Black and White.  I posted one of them below, just for him.  Great suggestion, Birdman!!

Life on the Dunes-ABC WEDNESDAY "D"

There is stark beauty on the Dunes!

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War Memorial

The Plaza is the central attraction in downtown Santa Fe, and in its center is a tall Obelisk with an interesting history.  To see a photo of the Obelisk, click here. According to the Nile Guide, a travel website with interesting facts about Santa Fe, 

The obelisk in the center of the Plaza is called the Indian War Memorial Monument, and was erected in the 1860s to honor Federal troops killed in battles with Native Americans and Confederate forces. The inscription originally made reference to "savage Indians," but sometime in the 1970s a man dressed in a suit chiseled the word "savage" from the marble inscription. There are also pockmarks left by bullets in the monument. [I wonder why "dressed in a suit" is important in this explanation?]

Another website claims that the obelisk had been erected in honor of the men who fought in the Civil War and is called the Civil War Memorial.

Richard

Richard was sitting on a park bench in the Plaza in Santa Fe when I approached him.  He told me that he has been living here for 16 years, leaving Denver, Colorado to join one of the most beautiful women in the world.  She's still beautiful, but they are no longer together although they are both still residing in Santa Fe. I didn't press him for more details and he didn't offer any. I'd bet that there is an interesting story behind that!!

Maggi on the Dunes-Camera Critters

Maggi relaxing on the dunes in Sand Dunes Nat'l Park near Alamagordo, New Mexico.  We felt that it is great that we could take her along on our fantastic hike in this surreal landscape!

To view other camera critters, go  here.

Cowgirl Rouge

Because of the color red, this sign in Madrid, NM,  reminded me of two bloggers to whom I wish to dedicate this post today.  This may not be Paris, Vj and Genie, but I suspect you'd have a lot of fun in this former mining town!

Signs in Madrid, NM

Madrid, NM was once a thriving mining town. Arriving in town after traveling The Turquoise Trail on Hwy 14 from Santa Fe, you can see remnants of the past.  Many of the old buildings have been converted to galleries, restaurants and shops.  The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, as you can see from some the signs I photographed. The sign at the top has been hanging in the Mine Shaft Tavern for years and always makes me laugh, and the idea of  Madrid always makes me smile! (Pronounce Mad-rid)

Coal-February Theme Day, 2012

I met Coal on a bright, sunshiny day in the Plaza.  Thinking that a dog with goggles is a bit unusual, I talked to the owner who informed me that Coal has a serious degenerative eye disease called pannus.  The sun could blind him if his eyes are not protected. He is a patient and loving animal.




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Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Church-ABC WEDNESDAY-"C"

Saint Elias Greek Orthodox Church is a small elegant church in Eldorado. Looks like it's in another country, doesn't it??

To see more ABC Wednesday posts, go here.

Tapestry Weaving #3

Yesterday I posted some tapestry in various stages of development.  Today you can see the hands of the weavers at work learning how to thread the warp with wool thread.

Tapestry Weaving #2

Here you can see three tapestries in various stages of development.  This activity takes place during a class in the Senior Center in Eldorado, New Mexico. The class is being taught by Lynne whom you met here.

Tomorrow I'll show you how the students begin.

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Charlie as a Camera Critter

While checking on an order of allergy dog food for Maggi at a local veterinary clinic we watched Charlie, a very obedient Boston Terrier, being weighed on a floor scale before his appointment.  

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
― Will Rogers

To see more Camera Critters, go here.

Eectroforming on Ceramics

These pots are a result of  a process of electroforming that allows a heavy layer of metal to be deposited on the ceramic surface without heating it.  Robert Coyle, the artist, experimented and developed the process for his ceramics.

Meet the Artist

I met Bob and his wife Lynne  at a small but very cool gallery in Eldorado, New Mexico.  Both of them work together to produce Southwestern style artwork. Bob, the ceramist, has been strongly influenced by the style of the Southwest culture and pottery. In his own words, Bob said, "My desire is to learn something new from each piece, and to use that knowledge to then produce a different, better work of art."

You met Bob's wife here with another of the pieces they did together.

The Bell Tower: ABC Wednesday-"B"

Where it all began for me! My first introduction to Santa Fe was at St. John's College in the summer of 1984 where I attended a 4-week seminar  with other social studies and English teachers from around the United States. We were housed in the apartments shown below. Since that fateful summer, I've been traveling back and forth to this magical city from my home in St. Paul, MN.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY  posts from bloggers around the world, go here.

Tapestry Weaving

Both Lynne and her husband are artists living in Eldorado, NM. I visited the art gallery  in La Tienda Shopping Center and was able to chat with both of them.  The ceramic mask was created by her husband, Bob,  but Lynne did the weaving  on the art piece.  Soon she is giving a two-month-long class on weaving, and altho the class is full, she invited me to visit, to watch, and to take some photos.

I do believe that I will buy this piece before I leave New Mexico or one of the others I showed you here.