Still the First Full Day in Taos!

So we are standing in front of 5 Star Burgers with Kathleen Brennan and Kat Duff, I hear my name called. It is Todd and Susannah Van Dyke, our artist friends from Louisville. They are celebrating their Anniversary in Taos, as they do every year. They are just back from rafting the Rio Grande. Hugs all around. Now we have seen 3 neighbors from home.

Kathleen, Kat, Cynthia, and I take a table outside. Kat is just off work from one of 3 jobs…all of which contribute to the health of the Taos community. Think neuro-feedback. Kathleen is an extraordinary artist who was working on a project about the drought when we visited 3 years ago. She also made a video for the Harwood Museum about the artists of the 1970s….see the et cetera at brennanstudio.com

What is she up to now? Kathleen and a colleague have created a documentary Before the Grid about Agnes Martin! From beforethegrid.org “Agnes Martin is one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Before she died in 2004 at the age of ninety-two her paintings sold for millions of dollars and were displayed in the world's greatest museums. Martin was respected and achieved the art world’s highest awards. She painted for twenty-three years, until she reached a style she was happy with in 1964. Her time in New York in the early sixties saw her create what are now called her grid paintings. Despite many interviews, very little was known about her life, particularly her life before 1958, the year of her first solo show in New York.

A documentary film, by Kathleen Brennan and Jina Brenneman, captures little known stories of  Agnes Martin’s life prior to 1967 when she left New York City. Shared by friends, lovers and classmates who knew her well, these oral history interviews give insight into Martin’s personality and the development of her creative process.  Release Date: Fall 2016.” 

 It was not only interesting to hear about the film and interviews but also to hear about the support and distribution. So stay tuned. That was only part of a rich and stimulating discussion. What a treat to grab some time with these busy people! Then back to Casita Pepper to rest our feet and read about Taos.

Agnes painting