Welcome to
Collectors Corner!
Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter
102-B Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
edsandovalart@gmail.com
(575) 770-6360
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Mentor Williams & Lynn Anderson |
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There’s something about this pandemic that makes me look back, to reflect on family and friends who are still here and those who have passed. I think it’s because we can’t travel freely – can’t have reunions, attend big social events or meet at a bar to catch up over a beer or two. I do stay in touch, mostly by phone and once in a while at a house dinner, but it’s not the same. The weight of uncertainty is always there. |
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Looking at old photos, I found so many of my dear friends Mentor Williams and Lynn Anderson. You probably know both of them by their music: Mentor wrote “Drift Away” that was performed by Dobie Gray in 1973 and “When We Make Love” performed by Alabama in 1984. His partner, Lynn, was a dynamic country singer and songwriter who is probably best known for her song “Rose Garden” (I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden…). Both were incredibly talented, successful, genuine, kind, generous, salt-of-the-earth people.
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At Mentor's House with Shaw and Mentor |
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Lynn Dancing at the Sandoval Family Reunion |
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I first met them at my gallery, probably back in the late 1990’s. We chatted, and after that they would pop in to say hi. They would invite me to dinners and I’d invite them to parties, and so it went over the years back and forth until we became fast friends. I get the chronology mixed up, but I know they came to a family reunion I threw for the Sandovals at the Bavarian up at the Taos Ski Valley in the early-to-mid 2000’s.
Oh what a night! I had rented the entire area, and the whole family drank and danced! Lynn was on fire, moving to the music with such joy in her heart and a smile on her face. It does my heart good to remember that.
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Lynn & Me at the Sandoval Family Reunion |
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At some point after that, my trusty horse Cinco de Mayo died. I've written at length about Cinco and our adventures together (READ HERE). Needless to say, I was absolutely heartbroken and didn’t ride for a long, long time – perhaps as long as a year.
Meanwhile, Lynn was invited to sing at an international Arabian horse show. A young prince from Saudi Arabia was in the audience and became mesmerized as he listened to her ethereal voice singing “Desperado” while the stallion Desperado was released into the arena. He was so moved by her performance, the song and the horse – he went down to the stalls and bought a magnificent Arabian colt sired by Desperado, and gifted it to her. Listen to Lynn singing "Desperado" HERE!
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Me & Patron at the Taos Plaza |
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She had the horse for a while, but slowly came to realize that a young, spirited Arabian was more horse than she could comfortably handle. Horses like that need constant training and attention, and with her travel schedule (performing all over the U.S. and abroad), she just couldn’t spend the time with him that he needed. She knew that Cinco had passed away and asked me if I wanted him.
Believe it or not, I was unsure whether I should take the horse because I was still grieving but eventually said yes. That’s how I came to own Patron, the brown Arabian you’ll see in my pasture to this day. He’s much older now and has some trouble with his teeth, but he’s still as spirited and beautiful as the day he came to live with me.
Once I got Patron, Mentor and I would ride in town and up in the mountains. Sometimes we’d be joined by other friends, and sometimes it would be just us.
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Mentor & Me (in Background) Riding in Taos Plaza |
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Me, Mentor & Thom Wheeler after a Ride |
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In 2008, my mother passed away at almost 100 years old. Mentor and Lynn came to the funeral, which was absolutely beautiful – my great friend Tim Rivera at Rivera Funeral Home went above and beyond to make it a special, heartfelt tribute. I was sitting with my family when Lynn motioned me over, so I went and sat next to her. She asked, “Do you mind if I go up there and sing Amazing Grace?” Of course I said, "Oh yes please do," and her voice floated on the air, like angel wings accompanying my mom upward…” Oh that just gave me chills and tears to remember…
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Mentor and Lynn had both visited the chapel I built at my old house. I remember Mentor would always sit in the back pew, near the buttress, because he said the energy was the strongest there. A couple of years or so after my mom died, Mentor asked me to build a similar chapel. I did, and they filled it with their most cherished, meaningful items. |
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Chapel I Built at My Old House |
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Mentor Liked to Sit at the Back |
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Chapel I Built for Mentor |
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Painting I Did for Mentor (Angel on Left) |
Me & Mentor with His Painting |
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While I was building, they were on the road a lot but would come back home when they could. Mentor and I would review the chapel's progress, and he would tell me his concerns and worries. It’s so clear in my mind – wandering around the chapel in the northern New Mexico mountains, the sun shining on the pinon trees and just talking about life...both the good and the bad.
When Lynn passed away in 2015, Mentor seemed forlorn. One day, he wanted a painting of his home, with the chapel I had built in the background, his dogs and the spirit of Lynn as an angel. I painted it for him – brightly colored with Lynn’s spirit on the far left-hand side, and he seemed comforted when he looked at it.
Mentor died about a year and a half after Lynn, and it felt like the end of an era. My mind was fuzzy, but I do recall talking with Paul Williams, Mentor’s brother (who's also an acclaimed singer, songwriter and actor) at Taoseno's after the service. We chatted lightly even though our hearts were heavy.
Today, I see reminders everywhere of my friends. I see Mentor’s truck being driven around town (someone else has it now), and I see Patron every day, running in the pasture, as beautiful and joyous and spirited as they both are in my memories.
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Watch Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance! |
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And speaking of fabulous songwriters, musicians and music, did you watch Michael Hearne's 18th Annual Big Barn Dance VIRTUAL Music Festival?
Michael worked tirelessly all summer to keep his beloved Big Barn Dance tradition alive. I'm SO IMPRESSED with the quality of the video production, the artists and all the thought and love that went into making this three-day online event. If you didn't catch some or all of it, you're in luck! I've put links below to all three nights (and remember to click on the video for sound).
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Photo by Jim Cox (www.jimcoxartworks.net) |
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I've had a booth at the Barn Dance for years, and I'm sad that it had to go virtual this year because of the darn virus. But let me tell you, Michael wanted to "keep the fire alive," and he, his daughter Sarah and his staff made it happen. If you know anything about video production or coordinating dozens upon dozens of musicians' online song submissions (not to mention putting them together seamlessly), I think you'll agree this is a VERY BIG DEAL. I encourage you to stream it, sit back, watch the performers, listen to their amazing music, and please consider making a donation. Most of these musicians have not been able to play at a venue since March - it is so tough for them...
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Past Photos of Me & Michael at His Annual "Art Walk" Prior to the Big Barn Dance (Photos by Jim Cox www.jimcoxartworks.net) |
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Watch via Facebook using these links:
Watch all three nights via YouTube using this link:
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CLICK HERE to access and watch Nights One, Two & Three
Michael visited Ed Sandoval Gallery this year as part of his virtual Art Walk, where he sings his award-winning song "The Songwriter." This song appeared on his CD Sight and Sound, which won seven awards at The New Mexico Music Awards. Since I wrote about Mentor, a fun music trivia fact is that Michael's “The Songwriter” was co-written with Grammy winners Mentor Williams and Andy Byrd. To watch CLICK HERE!
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Featured Paintings
To inquire or request a high-resolution photo, contact 575-770-6360 or edsandovalart@gmail.com. For all available paintings, click HERE
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"Distant Canyon" (30" x 36") |
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"Hilltop Procession" (12" x 24") |
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"Embracing the Moonlight" (16" x 16") |
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"Virgin Spring" (30" x 60") |
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Taos Print and Photography
Since we can't travel very much, I'm doing a series about some of my favorite places. This month: Taos Print and Photography Services owned by Gak Stonn.
When you see a piece of my art, it may seem like I'm the only one who was involved in it. But that is not true! It takes a village of local people and small businesses to help bring my creations alive. That's why I'm featuring Gak, who not only photographs my works, but also makes all my Giclee prints on canvas, paper prints, cards, etc.
Getting ready for the upcoming show at the Albuquerque Museum, I knew there was a deadline to get all my images and information submitted. But I'm an artist...LOL...and was dilly-dallying, thinking of lovely colors and scenes and not thinking of deadlines in the least. Luckily, I had Gwen to gently kick me in the pants and remind me that there was a lot of work to be done - they had to be photographed, framed and documented PRIOR to submitting them. Oops! :-)
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Gak is one of the people who had to go above and beyond the call of duty. He received a frantic phone call and then a flood of still-wet paintings to photograph, digitize the files in multiple resolutions and transmit in ONE DAY. He did it! And it's not the first time I've probably driven him crazy with my last minute requests...I must get better about that. |
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Me & Gak with a Few Paintings He Photographed |
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Me & Gak's Archival Aluminum Print of "Virgin Spring" (30" x 60") |
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Gak produced a stunning full-sized (30" x 60") print of "Virgin Spring" on archival aluminum - it's sleek, sturdy and just GORGEOUS - but before many people could come to see it, Covid hit. He's offering it for a FABULOUS PRICE. If interested contact him at (575) 425-1587 (work), (575) 603-5696 (cell) or info@taosprint.com.
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Would you like to be a featured collector?
If so, please send your personal story and photo(s) to edsandovalart@gmail.com.
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Contact
Ed Sandoval Gallery
102-B Paseo Del Pueblo, Taos, NM 87571
www.edsandovalgallery.com | (575) 770-6360 | edsandovalart@gmail.com
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