Land of Enchantment, 2024

Photo Credit: Marc CarylIt is hard to believe that we are a few months from our 5 year mark in our wonderful New Mexico. The shut down for the pandemic certainly skewed the perception of time...here, there, and everywhere. We now have 3 fun Eldorado Studio Tours behind us. We have truly settled into our space, indoors and out. Each morning we birdwatch and start the day joyfully. Today I saw a Roadrunner! That is a rare occurrence, but this year he seems to be running back and forth from Reno to Monte Alto.

The painting experience here is different, but I seem to have acclimated to the light and the change of environment. I am still entirely grateful that we made the move. I hope 2024 brings you all that you wish for... health and joy all the way around. We still have so much to explore here.

Land of Enchantment Part 2

After leaving Abiquiu, Cynthia and I couldn't stop talking about New Mexico, and how we could return. Our friends Todd and Susannah had found a community south of Santa Fe called Eldorado. They were learning about it and sharing what they learned. By the end of August, we needed to take a closer look and either make a plan or stop thinking about it. The homes we saw were as seductive as the Land, and the Light...for me it is always about the Light. There was no Pros or Cons list or analysis. It was always our shared feeling state so we moved forward on the wings of...

We are so grateful to the friends and neighbors and collectors who helped us get to Santa Fe. We couldn't have done it without their energy and support.

Our neighbor, Andre Mazur, sold our Colorado house in March in 3 hours. We brought the paintings April 1st and 2nd. Our friend and neighbor filled his SUV with paintings, and we filled the Saab wagon. We found our home the first week in April...like our Santa fe realtor suggested, and an astrological pal predicted. Then we drove home to Colorado, where every neighbor and friend pitched in for the extraction, to get us ready for Bekins and to drive to Santa Fe on April 24. Friends were packing our cars, cleaning, vacuuming, helping with the pets, and beds for the final night. ..and giving moral support. It was truly amazing what took place, and it was painful to say good-bye.

The Casita we rented was a block from the Santa Fe River, near a magical park and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The first morning and several after, there were tears of joy. Being in the heart of Santa Fe was enchanting and envigorating. Our perfect, historical Casita fit the 4 of us just right. Cynthia, Floyd, and I went to the House everyday to work. Then we went back to the Casita for dinner and sleeping, until May 30th. The house was ready for us, and Emmy was ready to be with us full time, not just at night. We moved in and our house is becoming the perfect new home.

This summer was joy-filled. Eldorado Art Tour introduced us to artists and new friends. We took excursions at least once a week, some with Todd and Susannah...sometimes we just ran into them. Cynthia started coffee klatch with our new neighbors. Each day was a delight watching daybreak then seeing hummingbirds, flaming sunsets, having wonderful visits from friends, and getting to know the land.

Fall is here now. Next door there is a tree turning red. Our trees are starting to have some yellow.The adventure continues and we wonder what Fall and Winter will hold. Gratitude is the theme here... still enchanted every day.

Land of Enchantment

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.” Georgia O’Keeffe

O'Keeffe

Cynthia and I just spent 5 days in Abiquiu, New Mexico in the high desert. Our friends and hosts Susannah and Todd shared the history and painting locations and hiking trails they learned in 32 years of trips to the area. The geology and culture and history are even richer than one expects from the exquisite paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, who made the area hers.

Our dear friends, Sue and Cathy joined us at Casita La Chuparosa and for all the rich activities of the trip. The Casita was magical with too many hummingbirds to count, alpacas, donkeys and Buster, the horse. Jeff, the owner, made perfect choices in furnishings and amenities to create just the right comfort for us when we returned to rest from hiking, painting, reading, and photographing this dramatic desert scenery.

The first day we went to the Monastery, Christ of the Desert. The road was open but the camping along the Chama River is closed for fire danger. 2018 campers are very careless and the rangers are finding many smoldering campfires to put out. A large fire near Taos and one in Durango are ongoing.

We painted below the Dam, Abiquiu Lake, on the Chama. Beauty in every direction.

The second day, we painted at Echo Amphitheater. Sue and Cynthia enjoyed the flat rocks at the lake and easy walks. The afternoon was spent at the tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu House. There is a terrific education and Visitor Center next door to the Abiquiu Inn. Our tour guide was author, Barbara Heming (Death Wins the Crown). Her presentation was excellent with all the details woven into a easy to follow narrative. We were struck by the conscious aesthetic of rich simplicity — good furniture, good food, amazing views. This Tour is a must and requires reservations ahead of your trip. I loved that I learned so many new things about the area and Georgia. I have been reading about O’Keeffe since 1976, and I was stunned at how much I learned on the trip.

 

The third day, was a full day at Ghost Ranch. Although Georgia’s Ghost Ranch house is not open to the public, The ranch’s views and history will fill you up. As before Todd and Susannah found shade and 360 degree views for the painters. The hikers went up a trail to the top of the world and looked down on chimney rock. We all met back at the cafeteria  for lunch. Nothing is slick here. All is adobe and historic. gorgeous as the paintings of O’Keefe. We saw the art center, the first casita Georgia demanded to take for her first  summer, the Archuleta’s home and hanging tree, and the Archeology Paleontology Museum. Read more about the Archuletas and Ghost Ranch before Georgia.

Our final evening was spent around a table at the Abiquiu Inn eating delicious food with a special young man, Kyle, as our waiter. The Inn has a gift shop and Gallery and a sculpture garden to wander. See more.

It was difficult to leave on Saturday because the hummingbirds and tranquility were filling us up. Crackers to Donkeys and carrots to Buster and away we went. We can’t wait to go back.  Jeff is selling the business so if you have the energy to run a Casita…check it out. La Chuparosa.

We took a beautiful route home through Chama and crossed into Colorado into the most beautiful Rio Grande Forest. A wonderful New Mexico trip and our Colorado backyard was a delight to come home to. Count me in a constant state of gratitude. 

 

Chipeta Rising Celebration

The Chipeta Rising Celebration was organized to honor the renaming of Chipeta Mountain in the Sawatch Range on Sun., Oct 8, and Mon., Oct. 9, in Salida and surrounding areas. Free historic, public events will paid tribute to Ute culture with a Unity Walk, reconciliation and rededication presentations and ceremonies, performances, a mountain rededication ceremony and memorial summit climb.

Cynthia and I joined Mark Monroe, Jimmy Sellars, Wayne Iverson, and Licia Iverson in Salida for this special celebration, on October 8. Photographer extraordinaire,Maarten Havercamp from Amsterdam rode to Salida with us on October 7. His company made the trip even richer.

Sunday started with a welcome luncheon to gather Roland McCook, Chipeta’s great great grandson and other family members, tribal members and government officials. Roland  gave the blessing in his own language. Thanks to Licia for this well-planned event.

After lunch we joined, the Unity Walk from Alpine Park to the Steam Plant Event Center. Chipeta’s descendants led the way. I was honored to speak for a time with Tony Small, vice chairman of the Uncompahgre Tribe. Chipeta’s family came from the Reservation in Utah. They are as beautiful and gentle as she was. Tony carried the portrait that I painted. It was gifted to Roland, his uncle and former Ute Chairman. I was touched to know he liked it. Tony is the great great great grandson of Chipeta.

At the Steam Plant on the Arkansas River, Wayne showed us on the topographique map the change of peak… 2,000 plus feet of altitude added. Now Chipeta’s peak is equal in height to Ouray’s peak. Both can be seen from Salida. The renaming petition went through government channel’s to honor Chipeta and her equal place in the history of Colorado. Chipeta is the only Ute to be inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

We listened to Ute leaders, from Colorado and from Utah. We listened to the Governor’s liaison. We heard from Roland McCook, and he introduced Chipeta’s family and other Ute tribe members. We heard a proclamation from Chafee County Commissioners. We heard from Art Goodtimes of Telluride. We were treated to drumming and dancing. Dancers included Lisa, 3 greats, Cody, 4 greats, Brianna, 4 greats…and other tribal members and family. The dancing was beautiful. Non-indians were invited to dance. Many did, but I felt too self-conscious…Roland said I would regret sitting out…I do.

Cynthia and I left Salida at 4:00pm to beat the first snowfall in Louisville. Our hearts remain full, and we welcome all of the information we received. It gives us hope for healing and reconciliation. Roland is available for education and blessings if your Colorado community wants to know more about the "original people of Colorado". Two golden nuggets: one is “Listen” and ask your elected officials to listen. Two is that Utes make do with what they have..and maybe so could we. The government continues to take land from the Utes. Ask our government leaders to honor treaties and respect Native American rights. Heal the past by doing the right thing now

Here are some wonderful photos thanks to Maarten Havercamp, Mark Monroe, and Cynthia Bargman. Also read more at Chipeta Mountain Project and Chipeta on Wikipedia. Also read Marked Men by Joseph Hutchison.

  

  

Chipeta, Ute Peacemaker and Leader

Some years back, a Meeker, Colorado client had inquired if I might paint a Ute Indian. In researching the history of the Utes, I read all I could find about Chipeta. My interest was heightened when I taught a workshop in Ridgway, Colorado and visited the Ute museum in Montrose. Chipeta and her brother Robert McCook are buried there. You can see Ute influences in the rock art and the people in my work (referencing "Connection to Ancestors" paintings.

Last Spring while preparing for the Sellars Project Space exhibition, NINE Colorado Artists, I made a painting of Chipeta, historic leader of the Utes. Wayne Iverson, Salida community activist, had begun a petition to move the name Chipeta Mountain, from a lower sub peak to the true 13,472-foot summit of the mountain. The Chipeta Mountain website will give you more information. If you agree, please sign the petition.

In support of Wayne’s petition, and to be in community with wonderful friends and colleagues in Salida, I donated the painting to be used to promote the renaming, in any form that Wayne and Jimmy Sellars thought useful. 

So here comes the part that touches me.  On October 8, 2016, Wayne was able to gift the painting to a great great grandson of Chipeta at a reconciliation ceremony in San Miguel County. You can read more about the event on the Facebook Page Indigenous Peoples Day-San Miguel County. I am so grateful and feel honored that the gift was received by an ancestor of this incredible woman and peaceful leader of the Utes.

Chipeta

McCook

Ute Elders