Welcome to Collectors Corner!  Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter 102-B Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571   www.edsandovalgallery.com edsandovalart@gmail.com (575) 770-6360

Forests, Logging, Mules and Snowstorms

As I'm sheltering in place like pretty much everyone, it seemed like a good time to go through old photos. A year ago, I wrote a tale called “ Vigas! A Story of Man vs. Logs (and Mules) " – click here to read. I found more pictures of that very memorable logging trip!  In 1974, I was building my home in Nambe. I went into the woods to harvest vigas, hiking deep into the forest with members of my construction crew to chop down trees with an ax, strap them to mules and haul them out. After that, I peeled off the bark by hand with a blade, let them cure/dry and placed them on the roof.

Camping in the Santa Fe National Forest: My Friend Luis is in the Hard Hat. I'm Standing on the Right.

It was March, but the weather was nice. In New Mexico, March can be warm or freezing – you never know. There I was, living in the woods for a week or so with the guys, chopping down pine trees and fighting the mules (who resisted their task of dragging the timber out). We were camping, which was fun, but one day the temperature started dropping. We noticed but kept working and wrestling with the mules. All of a sudden, the sky darkened, the wind picked up and here came a late spring snow – a blizzard!

There was an old, derelict log cabin in the woods, so we made our way there through the blinding snow. We tied the mules outside under some trees and went in seeking shelter. The cabin had been long abandoned, and part of the roof in the corner was gone. There wasn’t a fireplace, but there was a fire pit in the middle of the dirt floor. We quickly gathered wood, made a fire, cooked something to eat (I can’t remember what), and settled in our sleeping bags while listening to the wind howl outside. It wasn’t too cold in there, even with the hole in the roof, and it felt good to have some protection.

Spent the Night in an Old, Abandoned Log Cabin

Tethered the Mules under a Tree near the Cabin

We woke up the next morning to a winter wonderland. The snow melted quickly, and we got back to work. We got all the pine trees I needed and took them to Nambe to dry. In my last story, I told you about peeling off bark by hand, which is incredibly dangerous (I know because I took off a chunk of my leg doing it). Imagine sitting outside with the end of a log between your legs. You take a blade that has two handles (a draw knife), stretch it out in front of you, lay it on the bark, and draw the blade back towards you to "peel" the bark. The adobe walls were 30" thick, so we were able to hoist ourselves and sort of walk up the walls while carrying the vigas to the roof. We didn't need to use a crane! I know it sounds pretty crazy, but we were young and sturdy. LOL. I just love, love, love the look of vigas when they are placed on the supports and you can look up and see the sky above!

Vigas against a NM Blue Sky

Vigas Resting on Adobe Brick (Me in White Hat & Shirt)

Careful Placement of Vigas

I'm amazed I found so many pictures of that logging trip! There's something about building for yourself... nothing compares. You create wonderful memories, make and strengthen friendships and have such a sense of pride when it is all done. It was HARD WORK, but I wouldn't change a thing...except maybe finding mules that weren't so darn stubborn. :-)

Moving My Gallery Back to Quesnel Street

I posted this on Facebook , but you might have missed it. For about 10 years, Ed Sandoval Gallery has been at the entrance to the historic Taos Plaza. Located at the intersection of Paseo del Pueblo and Kit Carson, there is lots of action! I've painted in the parking lot and enjoyed the hustle and bustle, but I've decided to move back to where I first opened my own gallery. Going back to 119 Quesnel Street. It's only a block away from the plaza.

Why? Well, there are many reasons. One, I'm tired of cement. In the parking lot, I'm standing on cement and surrounded by the sounds of traffic, the yelling of "colorful" Taos characters, emergency sirens and exhaust fumes. It gets to be a bit much. We closed a month ago due to the virus (working online now), and I'm painting at home in the garage. It was a BIG change, but I've come to love it! I do miss chatting with all the people who walk by, but I love looking at sage, chamisa and the mountains.

The Old Studio de Colores Gallery - With New Signs, Soon to be the New Ed Sandoval Gallery at 119 Quesnel Street.

This new work-at-home experience got me wondering, "Do I really need to be at the plaza after all? The answer is "No." I don't, and quite frankly I'm tired of the rat race and burning my candle at both ends. I've always kept my other gallery space, and it has been sitting there this whole time. I've decided going back is the best thing ever. I'll be near my horses, do some gardening and landscaping, and I'm not that far at all from the action if I need to go get my people fix. I'll be opening up the new Ed Sandoval Gallery (have to change the signs and such) on June 1 if allowed by the state's health experts. Come see me! I'll still be painting outside.

Chimayo: A Mother's Promise Kept for Six Sons in World War II

I shared this story about a year ago. If you follow me on Facebook , you know I have been posting photos of my Chimayo paintings from over the years. Now seems like a good time to tell this story again - so very heartwarming and inspirational. Enjoy!

Yvonne as a Child with Her Grandfather

It’s mystical when the stars align…and, if we’re smart, we pay attention. In my newsletter, I normally talk about my own experiences, but this time I’m sharing someone else’s story because I was so blown away by it . I think you’ll see why I was so moved... I was painting when a wonderful woman walked up who was from San Diego but just moved to Santa Fe. We chatted for a while, took a picture together and I gave her a brochure. Then she went back home. End of story, right? NO! Back in Santa Fe, she checked out my artwork online and sent me a heartfelt email. I don’t think I’ve ever been so moved – I actually teared up because it was so beautiful. She is graciously letting me share her story (in her own words):

My name is Yvonne. I met Ed at his gallery in Taos, and we had a nice time chatting and taking photos. Later, I went to his website to look at his collection of artwork. Amazing. I saw one called “A Peaceful Place,” and it stopped me in my tracks.  In my mind, that was my Grandfather in the painting! It gave me the chills. I had just come from Santuario de Chimayo and had posted my photos from the chapel on my Facebook page with the story about my Grandfather. During World War II, all six of my Grandparents' sons who were of age – all of whom were raised in New Mexico – enlisted and left to fight for their country. My Grandmother was beside herself with worry and couldn’t bear the thought of losing even one son to war. She made a promise to God that if all six of her sons came home alive, she would walk to Santuario de Chimayo.

Ed’s Painting “A Peaceful Place”

Yvonne’s Mother, Emily Toledo-Chavez, Came from a Family of 12 Children (7 Boys & 5 Girls). Pictured Are the 6 Uncles Who Went to and Came Home from World War II

Grandmother vowed to undertake a pilgrimage, a long journey of over 100 miles on foot, to give thanks and to give praise for that miracle. Sadly, before the war ended, she passed away. My mother was only 13 at the time, and the youngest child was only two years old. My Grandfather had to finish raising all of the children. The most heartbreaking part is that Grandmother died before she knew what happened to her sons.

Grandmother never knew the incredible and miraculous thing that happened. All six of her sons came home alive! Thank goodness they came back – that they didn’t perish in the fighting was a miracle, but that they also came home to help Grandfather raise their siblings was remarkably fortunate. My Grandfather, wanting to honor and fulfill her promise to God, walked over 100 miles from his village to Santuario de Chimayo. I imagine him there, kneeling humbly and giving thanks to God just like in Ed’s painting “A Peaceful Place.” My cousin told me that much later in his life, my Grandfather wanted to go back to the chapel, but, by that time, he felt he was too old and his time too close. He passed away at 98 years old, having lived a rich, full life full of blessings.   This is Ed: Thank you to Yvonne for her heart-warming story, to her uncles for loving their country and going off to fight for our freedom, and to her grandparents who showed such courage and faith during those dark times.

Wedding Day Photo: Yvonne's Grandparents

Featured Paintings To inquire or request a high-resolution photo, contact  575-770-6360 or  edsandovalart@gmail.com. For all available paintings, click   HERE

NEW: "Walking Lupita" (24" x 24")

NEW: "Santiago Arroyo" (20" x 30")

NEW: "The Warmth of a Kiva" (22" x 30")

NEW: "Road down to the Village (18" x 24")

Things to Do in a Shelter-in-Place Quarantine

This coronavirus is just horrible! If you are like me, you are trying to do the right thing by sheltering in place and staying safe, but you are getting anxious, restless and can't really concentrate on anything... I think we are all looking for something to bring some normalcy back into our lives. For me, it's nature. Luckily, in New Mexico, inspiration and peace of mind is right out the door. I hope everyone gets outside in nature from time to time.

Go Fish! I Fish on the Rio Grande at Least Once a Week

I would go bonkers if I couldn't fish, take a hike, explore an area, water trees or just putz around. Watch a Sunset - Beautiful.....!

Go on a Walk / Hike - Look Around.

Do Something Creative: Paint, Draw, Bake, Sew, Write and Share with Friends & Family - They'll Love It.

Look for Animals - Squirrel in a Tree

Would you like to be a featured collector? If so, please send your personal story and photo(s) to edsandovalart@gmail.com.

Contact Ed Sandoval Gallery    102-B Paseo Del Pueblo, Taos, NM 87571 www.edsandovalgallery.com | (575) 770-6360 | edsandovalart@gmail.com