Final Day of Taos Visit, 2013

The richness of our visit continued at the Coffee Cat in the Dunn Shops. We met fine arts photographer, Kathleen Brennan for coffee and to catch up on her work and life. She had just returned from a trip to Eastern New Mexico where she interviewed folks who are losing the water in their wells because of the drought for her new video project.  Her still photos are insightful and beautiful. You can see those and previous videos at www.brennanstudio.com Kathleen also received a 3 week residency on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. She recently interviewed Jim Wagner for a video for The Harwood Museum as part of the current show of RC Gorman and Jim Wagner's work. I am looking forward to her posting of that video. Kathleen told us the story behind the Healy collection, and we went straight across Bent Street to see the work by Jim at the Milagro Ranch Collection, and also enjoyed seeing the WPA furniture. A beautiful drive home and a Bear lumbered across HWY 285 just East of Fairplay. The trip was just one magical moment after the other. I feel so grateful for the connection to Taos that my parents made for me, and for the freshness of this trip to make Taos brand new again.

Taos, New Mexico 2013 Day 4

RC Gorman, Su Bah, signed print.The fourth day we had no "must sees". But we should have because we didn't get to the Harwood Museum. (Read tomorrow to see why that turned out okay). The current show through September features artists, RC Gorman and Jim Wagner, who were friends and party buddies of my Mother when she was in Taos 1975 thru 1981. It was very special that they were being honored with a show at the Museum that was at the end of the block where Mother lived across Ledoux from RC's Navajo Gallery. Mother had 2 prints and a book signed by RC that I have been holding in my office for sale since she passed a year ago. There were many full circle moments on this trip. Gratitude for all. 

We also spent time on Bent Street with jeweler, Emily Benoist Ruffin, who graciously answered lots of questions. We started the day at Old World Art, where Kimberly shared her technique and process with us. I have no words for this experience. Okay, one word, awesome. We saw all the galleries on Kit Carson Road, a favorite for me is Wilder Nightengale. I enjoy all of the galleries and am inspired by the diversity in the art. And a shout out to 203 Fine Art who always have wonderful shows on Ledoux. They show Taos Moderns, and the owner Shaun Richel is an excellent artist. They also have sweet lodging for rent in the back.

We came back up the hill from Casita Montoya for dinner in the special rooms where my parents' shop had been. Lambert's is there now. We had a disappointing dinner and service, but it was wonderful to be in the building. All the other meals we had in Taos were terrific, and we didn't even make it to Orlando's.

Taos, New Mexico 2013 Day 3

Every year the parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos "mud the church". Anyone is welcome to participate. We ate lunch at Old Martinez Hall, a totally restored, gorgeous restaurant with a patio over looking Ranchos and the Church. Great service, great food. Then we went over to hang out with artists, Holly Seivers and Robert Cafazzo at Two Graces Plaza Gallery. This trip keyword is "Grace". Robert took us to Pilar to see petroglyphs. If you have been following my work, you know this was meaningful for me. The Spanish added crosses to the rock faces when they came, and the legend is that it was to negate the power of the Native American petroglyphs. My intuition tells me it was to add to the power. Taos Pueblo has bear clan people, among others. Then we went across the Ranchos Plaza to the Trading Post of Del Orr, one of 8 people still making Native American headdresses for dancers, from porcupine and skunk fur. The trading post has been in his family for over a hundred years. In the evening we heard a recital by singers from the Taos Opera Institute. I have been visiting Taos since 1975, and this trip my intention was to see and do things, I hadn't done before.

Grace.

Taos, New Mexico 2013, Day 2

Stepping Through/Ortenstone/40x60"In June, I spent 5 days in Taos, New Mexico, and I have lots to share about this magical trip. I'll start with telling about the OrtenstoneDelattre Gallery on Bent Street.  I see a lot of abstract art that doesn't capture my admiration, but every piece at Nancy Ortenstone's gallery is excellent. Nancy manages color in a totally unique way. There are strong relationships from canvas to canvas. You could totally buy more than one to anchor each end of a room. The shapes are dreamy in feeling. Each canvas has it's own wonderful palette, and each is luscious, but the word "feeling" says it the most. Each painting evokes an emotional connection, and opens you to the next. Nancy was included in the article. It's the Light/Women in Art in New Mexico in "the essential guide/Santa Fe & Taos 2013-2014".  Seeing work this good is so inspiring. And hearing Nancy talk about light and shape was exciting. www.ortenstonedelattre.com

Memory, Myth, and Magic

"Clyfford Still’s art and thought are pervaded with powerful, albeit subtle, allusions to memory (both cultural and personal), the ancient past and to long-established aesthetic traditions that are sometimes summoned only to be shattered afresh in his hands. This exhibition—covering a span of approximately forty years (c.1929-70) and including over fifty paintings, photographs by the artist himself, works on paper and sculptures—explores these currents of imagery and ideas that surge through Still’s figurative and abstract compositions. Unlock the mysteries to Still's extensive body of work." CSM

"After seeing many of Clyfford Still's works I have come to the conclusion that he is a sorcerer with powerful magic...Nay! An Earth Shaker."- Clay Spohn, artist and colleague of Clyfford Still

David Anfam, senior consulting curator to the Museum gave a lecture on May 23, 2013 to increase understanding of Still's work and how he managed his own narrative. We learned about a book from Still's library, Themis by Jane Harrison, that influenced how he thought about his work and how he described it. Before Pollack and before Gottleib brought the primitive into their work, Clyfford Still was delving into the primitive mind and espousing "making something out of your self".