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

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Collectors Corner!

Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter

119 Quesnel Street, Taos, NM 87571

www.edsandovalgallery.com

edsandovalart@gmail.com

(575) 770-6360

Give Me More and More of Mora!

I’ve written about Mora Valley before, but only short snippets. Now I think it’s time to take you on an extended photo tour of this authentically awesome northern New Mexico gem. Drive past Sipapu Ski Resort on 518, keep going and you’ll eventually go up and around a bend where you'll get your first glimpse of the lush valley below.

First View of Mora Valley Driving from Taos

Me Sketching at Morphy Lake State Park

I was dying to return – we used to camp at Morphy Lake State Park, but it was closed for years. They repaired the dam and improved campsites and park roads, but then Covid hit. Now open, that tucked-away mountain lake was the perfect spot for the maiden voyage of our new travel trailer!

We bought the travel trailer back in May but got too busy to go anywhere. My old 1972 Dodge RV had become too worn out and unpredictable to use anymore – it had trouble making it up hills, stranded me more than once and didn’t have any seatbelts. Worst of all, it had split-rim wheels. If you don’t know what split rim (multi-piece) wheels are, they are dangerous and tend to explode. The pressure can cause them to blow up, sending debris flying at extreme speeds that can impale your body or shoot your eye out. Most tire repair places won’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, with good reason.

Me Driving the Old 1972 Dodge RV

The Old 1972 Dodge RV at a Campsite

Since Morphy Lake had been closed for so long, last year we took the lumbering, ancient RV to Coyote Creek (17 miles north of Mora). The “pay board” showing the prices for the various types of campsites was hard to decipher: undeveloped, developed, developed with amenities, etc. Taking a guess, we put $16 in the envelope ($8 for each vehicle).

The next morning at about 7:00 am – BANG BANG BANG! Standing outside were TWO camp personnel, wearing uniforms and holstered GUNS, pounding on the trailer door. They let us know (in no uncertain terms) that we should have enclosed $20, not $16, and they needed our four additional dollars right that very second. Wow…disturbing. That kind of over-the-top intimidation puts a damper on happy, relaxing camping fun.

Our New 2021 16-Foot Avenger

Avenger's First Trip to Morphy

Inside – Queen & Bunk Beds!

Thank goodness Morphy is now open (no more death-defying trips to Coyote Creek), and I’m glad we waited! The workers up there are nice and professional – they keep the vault bathrooms and grounds so clean and did a magnificent job of sprucing up all the camping sites and roads. The bathrooms even have LED lighting! No more stumbling around in the dark. The fishing could have been better, but they told me the water is too warm to stock the lake right now. But no worries – we caught a few and cooked them right up.

Fishing at Lake Morphy

Lake Morphy

Sketching a Painting at Lake Morphy

Now I must say that the road you take to GET to Lake Morphy...oh Lordie. Four years ago, it was absolutely dreadful, and I thought that since they fixed all the park roads, they would have worked on that one too, like widening it and filling in the gaping holes. No! Today, that "road" (if you can call it that) is a white-knuckle, one-lane, post-apocalyptic adventure in terror! Seven miles of anxiety-laden torture, and if you're pulling a heavy trailer, there are several spots where you must creep along at 1-2 miles per hour. And if you meet someone coming the other direction? Oh my....not good. The Morphy guys explained that the road is a county road, so the county has jurisdiction over repairs (which they WON'T make). Within the park, the roads are glorious (if you can get there).

If you're not into camping, there are plenty of other things to see and do. Just driving along the sleepy roads is a treat – you'll find picturesque fields and abandoned adobe casitas being reclaimed by the elements. Their crumbling walls expose straw-strengthened adobe bricks, and their once-shiny tin roofs have darkened into a deep wine color. You can feel history, feel the spirits of pioneers who farmed and ranched here centuries ago.

Once, painting alone in a field in Mora Valley, I glanced up from my canvas and saw three Native Americans on horseback. Needless to say, I was startled! They stood there looking at me, their ghostly long hair fluttering in the soft breeze, and as quickly as they appeared, they disappeared. To me, they resembled plains Indians, not pueblo Indians, and they inspired me to create a painting where I had them riding in front of the Taos Inn. I want to paint them again, this time going through expansive grasslands.

If you are a photographer, painter or just a lover or old adobe buildings, you will find plenty to love. Below are a series of old churches, houses and mills that I simply HAD to paint. First you'll see the real historic site, followed by my painted interpretation.

San Rafael Church near Salmon Raspberry Ranch

Painting: "Lavender in Mora" (24x30) 2018

Old, Abandoned Adobe Casita

Painting "Symphony of Color" (36x60) 2005

La Cueva Flour Mill

Painting "La Cureva Flour Mill" (48x48) 2018

St. Vrain Mill (Historic Flour Mill Built in 1864)

"Old Mora Mill" (30x40) 2004

I just finished another one called "Spring in Mora" that is inspired by an actual homestead. I've painted it before and just had to stop to look again. The new owner was there, and we chatted for a while. I changed the season to spring and added a well, but this is the place!

Real Homestead with Big Tree & Pinto Horse

NEW Painting: "Spring in Mora" (30x40) 2021

I hope I've inspired you to go to Mora Valley. There are a lot of wonderful restaurants too – I love the 1950's diner with Elvis memorabilia all over the place. Great food. Great people.

Michael Martin Murphey & Michael Hearne

Michael Martin Murphey (Source)

Michael Hearne (Source)

Northern New Mexico is blessed – we get to enjoy the music of two renowned musicians, both of whom are also genuine, generous, salt-of-the-earth guys who just make you smile and feel good when you're around them. I’ll start by talking about Michael Martin Murphey because I just attended one of his Rocking 3M Chuckwagon concerts for the first time.

Going strong for ten years, the Rocking 3M Chuckwagon Series is held way up in the mountains, near a lake and under the stars and towering pine trees of Red River Valley. The outdoor amphitheater is charming, and there’s also a huge tent in case it rains.

Outdoor Amphitheatre

Lake Behind Amphitheatre

Walter & I Headed into Venue

Before the music begins, they serve a delicious BBQ brisket dinner (with all the fixings). And let me say that was the BEST brisket I’ve EVER had – fall apart fork tender with smoked sausage, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, other side dishes and ice-cream topped cobbler for dessert. Wow! I don't normally eat a lot, but I sure cleaned my plate that night!

Michael opened the concert with a surprise delight: two Native American friends from Canada who sang originally composed songs while playing drums. Just wonderful. ALL the songs and performers, including Gary Roller and Carin Mari, were fantastic. And I loved how Michael shared stories and explained the backgrounds of the songs he played and the charitable causes he supports. It made the evening so intimate and special, like a family event. During one song, a cowboy rode his pinto all around the lake – fun!

Did you know that they are making a film based on Michael’s hit song “Widfire”? It will be on Amazon or Netflix (can’t remember which), and it’s called “Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse.” The movie “tells a story of redemption and forgiveness as a young girl releases a dark secret through the friendship she develops with a wild horse” (more info HERE). I plan to watch it as soon as I can. Congratulations Michael!

Now on to our next country music legend, Michael Hearne, who was just in Taos for his 19^th annual Big Barn Dance. A three-day Americana music extravaganza, the Big Barn Dance at Kit Carson Park is the “premier musical event of the Southwest.” The line-up of performers is always impressive – the best in the business – and most of the musicians (and guests!) return every year because they have so much fun.

Michael's Pre-Covid Art Walk

2020 Virtual Art Walk Filming

2020 Virtual Art Walk Interview

Covid threw Michael a curve ball in 2020, but he would NOT let a pandemic get in the way of his beloved Barn Dance. With all in-person events cancelled, he went ALL VIRTUAL, including his annual Art Walk that precedes the concert. Talk about a LOT of work! He visited each art gallery (where he normally visited on his Art Walk) and videoed himself singing several songs to include in the virtual three-day Barn Dance. He then received video from all the performers and put it all together, complete with personal introductions, interviews and graphic transitions. Folks, that's heartfelt dedication right there. Impressive!

This year, Covid again necessitated some changes, but everybody was so excited to hear live music again! The new "Art Hop" format was wonderful – Michael stationed a musician at each gallery to play for a couple of hours and then traveled to each one to join in for a few songs. At my gallery, we were blessed with Walt Wilkins. Walt is such a favorite, and over 100 people came to hear him play! It was hot outside but the music was hotter.

Visitors on Side Gallery Wall Listening to Walt

Michael & Walt

In Front of Gallery Listening to Walt

Live Music! I can't tell you how great it felt just to sit outside in the sunshine listening to music. It was a safe event, and everyone had to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to get in, which in these strange times I very much appreciated. Once in, we were overjoyed! Michael again brought in the best bands and performers in the country, and the crowd could not have been more grateful and happy. Congratulations Michael!

Me & Music Legend Travis Buster

Stage for the Big Barn Dance!

Michael Martin Murphey played again at Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance! I love how musicians are such a tight knit community and really care about one another. It does my heart good to experience their kind spirits. And I am especially blessed this year as each Michael chose one of my paintings for their album, song or event.

MMM's New Album "Road Beyond The View" w/ My Painting "Life in Truchas" on Cover

MH's Big Barn Dance Program w/ My Painting "Taos Barn Dance" Painted Back In 1997

MMM's New Single "Riversong" w/ My Painting "Headwaters of the Rio Grande"

I hope you get a chance to see these two music greats in person or to buy/download one of their albums. Both of them are authentic and generous, always thinking of others and doing what they can to help others. MMM is deeply involved in charitable work (see murpheywesterninstitute.org). MH's Art Walk is his contribution to raising awareness of and sales for artists and galleries in Taos. Think about that! It's a labor of love done to help the art community. My hat is definitely off in respect and thanks to both of them.

September in Taos Means........CHILE!

I've talked long enough, but I can't send out a September newsletter without a chile story! I'd be kicked out of New Mexico if I did that! We bought a big burlap sack of mild green chile in Corrales, and they roasted it right there. It steamed in a plastic bag all the way back to Taos – oh the smell was heavenly (and will probably remain in the car for a week). Back home, I jumped out to cool them down and divide them up into small freezer bags while eating a few along the way. Bagging chile is hungry work! This is our first batch of the season. We'll get at least two more big batches to last us until...next September. Yum!