Collectors Corner! Ed Sandoval's Newsletter (Taos, NM)

Welcome to

Collectors Corner!

Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter

119 Quesnel Street, Taos, NM 87571

www.edsandovalgallery.com

edsandovalart@gmail.com

(575) 770-6360

Let's Talk about Art & Giclees (Prints)

At a dinner party a few years ago, a friend and fellow artist leaned over and said to me in a serious, warning tone, “Ed, you’re getting way too commercial.” I was deeply puzzled but didn't respond. Heck, I didn't know what to say. I shrugged it off, but I've thought about that comment many times over the years. I can only conclude the person didn't approve of the fact that I sell prints.

Enhancing a Print of "Arroyo Hondo"

Enhancing a Print of "Lilacs over Arroyo Seco"

When I think about it, few artists around here sell prints, and I don’t know of any artist who individually hand embellishes them by adding paint like I do, at least not in Taos. I get the sneaking feeling from time to time that there might be a few people who hold the opinion that true “art” is an original that shouldn’t be reproduced. I disagree.

As someone once said to me as we chatted about the subject, “When a writer creates a beautiful novel, is a hand-written original manuscript sold to only one person? No presses and no books produced so others can't enjoy the story?” That’s a great comparison!

Enhancing "Don Fernando Morada"

Original (Left) and Print (Right) of "New Mexico Faith"

Enhancing "Autumn in Pilar"

Pedro (1864 - 1955) & Luisita Rivera (1871 - 1956)

All stories connect back to my grandparents… Like everyone else who lived in New Mexico villages in the late 1800's and early 1900’s, they didn’t have any money. As I’ve said before, they mostly made it, built it, grew it, traded for it or did without. When I was little, I sat at the kitchen table and drew pictures for grandma as she told me stories, and I remember she put one of my drawings on her wall. I was so proud, especially because there weren’t any other pictures hanging anywhere.

The only “art” my grandparents possessed were some rustic religious icons, such as homemade crosses and a few santos. My godfather Joaquin was a woodcarver, and I remember he gave my mom some santos that she had on her alter. I believe he also gave grandma one or two. I seem to recall them…but it was so long ago. The point is that grandma couldn't afford to buy art, and she never did, original or otherwise.

To me, my grandma, the elders and working people, the villages and landscapes and that way of life are the true originals. That’s what I’m thinking of and am trying to “copy” when I paint. I wish grandma could have seen my paintings – I bet they would make her happy,

I'm an "artist" but actually think of myself more as an "ambassador" representing northern New Mexico. My paintings are stories, and through them I introduce visitors to our people, history, cultures and vistas. The more who want to learn about, explore, cherish and remember this unique area, the better. And it just shouldn't take a fortune to do that.

If someone falls in love with an image, they should be able to have it in their home. I don't mass produce anything – each person gets to customize exactly what they want. First, they pick an image, size (can be any size aligning with original proportions) and medium (canvas or paper). Next, I hand enhance each canvas print (not paper prints...the paint would bleed) and title/sign the back. It’s such an honor and personal to me. Every time I enhance one of my images, I get excited. As I put paint on my brush, study the scene and select areas to pop out the colors and apply texture, it’s like visiting with an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time.

Emailed Photo Showing a Collector Her Print of "High Road over the Valley"

Original (Top) & Print

Emailed Photo Showing a Collector Her Three Prints

During the pandemic, when people ordered prints, I started emailing them photos of the prints and of me enhancing their pieces. At the time, since nobody could visit the gallery, I thought it was a nice way of providing a personal experience. They just LOVED receiving those photos! Having a connection with the artist and the art is so important, and I it was so much fun that I’m continuing to take and send pictures.

Do I have prints in my own home? Yes, I do.

Male vs. Female Piñon Trees? (Seriously)

My house is surrounded by piñon trees, which are absolutely beautiful and the official tree of New Mexico. Looking at them, there are two distinct types. I've been told that there are male and female trees, and, in just looking at the cones, I think that's right. But I haven't found anything that definitively says this. Some articles say a tree can have both male and female cones. Does anyone know the answer to this mystifying riddle? LOL

Male Piñon?

Piñon Couple at the House

Female Piñon?

Paintings & Memories

If you own a piece of art, I bet you know where you were and what you were doing when you got it. Maybe it was handed down from your family, or you got it to mark a special occasion or fun vacation. Art is a memento. Most of the time, we delight in those memories, but what happens if we don't?

A friend of mine of over thirty years recently dropped by to say hello. When he came into the house, he was carrying this painting of the Nambe church that I painted for him as a wedding gift way back in 1992. 1992! That's before I even opened my own gallery in Taos!

We had fun discussing how my style has evolved over thirty years, but I was curious as to why he brought it. Finally, he told me the truth. He didn't want the painting anymore – that marriage became toxic, the divorce was long and painful and he started the process of healing by meeting and marrying a lovely, good woman. The painting had become sort of a trigger for bad memories.

I nodded, understanding and totally relating to what he was saying. After a pause, I offered to rework the painting (for starters by removing the bride and groom in the doorway), to make it new and fresh so they could enjoy it. No. He said his trauma from that time is so deep, that even if I reworked it he would know the truth of it.

I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Of course, at some point I'd sell it and give my friend the money, but should it be reworked? It's vintage!

Tim & Me at the Gallery

My Good Buddy Tim

I was so happy to receive a surprise visit from Tim. He is so cool and funny that he puts me to shame! LOL. At 88, he's still debonair, hip and happening. I have to share a story or two.

Already in the National Guard, Tim joined the Navy at 16 or 17 by tricking his dad. A skilled boxer, he told his dad to sign a permission slip for a boxing match, but it was actually an underage Armed Forces permission slip. The next day, he was in Albuquerque swearing his Naval oath. That's his old Navy coat he's wearing, which he gave to me.

The sailors didn't have much money, so they drank "Ripple" wine when on shore leave. The next morning, the captain saw him getting sick over the balcony. "Son, do you have a weak stomach?" the captain bellowed. "No sir!" Tim replied. "I can hurl farther than anyone!"

Tim admits that his first days were difficult because his shipmates thought he was Mexican and didn't like that (he's actually Spanish). His boxing skills, which he had to use a few times, came in handy. After a few weeks, however, his happy demeanor, good sense of humor and skills from the National Guard endeared him to his fellow sailors and superiors alike. They all quickly became fast friends. Tim is just a treasure.