New Mexico Inspiration

 

Santa Ana: Patron Saint of Grandmothers

 A couple of New Mexico inspired retablos--thanks to Mary Stilwell for the title of the piece below.

Our Lady of Perpetual Errands

Pictures, At Last

Harwood House Museum in Taos

A few pictures to share from my recent trip to Northern New Mexico. I am so appreciative of my friends 

Donna and Don of Albuquerque for the opportunity to stay in their house and spend two weeks of inspiration and relaxation. I had the perfect mix of solitude and sociability. While in Taos where my friends let me stay in their condo, I visited with Leighanna Light and Thomas Ashman. I got to see their new home in Ranchos de Taos.

Leighanna's Studio in Progress

Leighanna and I visited the Mabel Dodge Luhan House where we are planning to teach workshops next year.

 Look at the site of this historic and beautiful setting.

       Leighanna at Mabel Dodge Luhan House

 

Birdhouses at Mabel Dodge Luhan House

 Shops Near Taos Plaza

Driving Back from Taos

Back in Albuquerque, I spent a day with Annie Hooten who lives there. We went to a great thrift store and then to a meeting of her Art Journaling group. Thanks to all you group members for letting me visit your dynamic meeting!

Annie and Me at Journal Workshop

A few days later I ventured up to Las Cienegas, just outside of (or just inside of?) Santa Fe to drop in on Ariel Gore and Maria Perez who moved from Portland about a year ago.  They kindly fed me a vegan, mostly raw food dinner which was delicious, as was the conversation sitting on their patio. Maria and I share a love of Hispanic/Indigenous Catholic iconography. (You'll see my first attempt at my own version of this arte popular in the next post.)

The drive back to Albuquerque that evening was gorgeous--sunset in the huge sky, and and the mountains--well, words fail me.

No pictures...

Alice (in Wonderland) famously asked, "What is the good of a book without any pictures?" I feel the same about blog posts without any picture. But here I am in magical Northern New Mexico without a way to download and publish my photos until I get home. If I were better at writing, I'd try to evoke the Italianate light, and the life-affirming scent of juniper and sage...Just come here someday, that's my advice.

I came here by myself for some R and R in Albuquerque and Taos. The rest of the fam is home minding the fort. Tuesday in Taos, I visited Leighnna Light and Thomas Ashman in their new adobe home. They just moved there and are still unpacking, but the walls are already filled with art.

Well, I just tried to put in an image of one of Leighanna's pieces, but this  borrowed computer won't let me. Ah well...later. BTW, there is a wonderful store in Taos called Wabi-Sabi ...