Welcome to
Collectors Corner!
Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter
119 Quesnel Street, Taos, NM 87571
edsandovalart@gmail.com
(575) 770-6360
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Taos Pueblo: National & Personal Treasure |
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Taos is truly blessed to have a living Native American community just north of town. Many of you have visited the remarkable Taos Pueblo, where families have lived in multi-storied adobe buildings for 1,000 years. Imagine that! |
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"Autumn Embraces Winter" (2015 - 48x60) |
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"Pueblo Drummer" (1997 - 20x30) |
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"Taos Pueblo Rabbit Hunt" (1999 - 18x24) |
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"Church at Taos Pueblo" (1995 - 24x30) |
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For ten centuries, these proud people fought tirelessly to keep their language, culture, rituals and spirit intact. To this very day, there are times when the Pueblo closes to the public so cultural knowledge can be passed down to the next generation.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's the largest and oldest continuously inhabited Pueblo in the U.S. So much history, but I’m not going to talk about historical facts – I’d rather share personal connections and experiences.
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Over the years, I’ve gotten to know quite a few of the people, been invited to paint on their land and attended private events. I suppose the best way to begin is with a great friend of 30+ years who embodies the Taos spirit: Blue Spruce Standing Deer. I’ve written about his life and art before (read HERE), but I'll briefly revisit it.
When I met Standing Deer, there was an instant connection which has lasted for decades. Of our friendship, he says, “We adopted each other, as brothers. Every time we met, it’s like we almost cried about how glad we were to see each other. I told my dad about that, and he said, ‘That’s what medicine is.’”
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Me & Standing Deer at Taos Fall Arts Festival |
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Two of Standing Deer's Exquisite Hand-Painted Jackets |
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Standing Deer credits his father, who painted for Millicent Rogers, for fostering his love of art: “My dad was a painter and a medicine man too. Dad would make his brushes out of horsehair, and he would take me out in nature to get earth materials to make colors.”
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His paintings are a mystical nexus where time, space, history, culture, earth and sky meld harmoniously. In the earlier newsletter, Standing Deer admitted that he was slowly killing himself by drinking way too much. Once night, his life changed as he was painting. The canvas shimmered with color as he heard bells and saw a figure dancing toward him. |
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Painted Drum Standing Deer Gave Me |
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Standing Deer said, “His hair was all over and stretched out into space, and his body was moving and dropping stars down to the earth. I was looking down – saw the starts hitting the earth. Star seeds. He said, ‘I came to see you. You either quit, or I can take you. My name is Star Dancer. I am your guide. I am your inner self. To love me you have to love yourself.’ I had chills and could see right through him, and every time he moved stars fell from his shoulders and fingers and body.” At that very moment, Standing Deer turned his back on Jack Daniels and embraced Star Dancer in his art.
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Another good friend of mine was Joe Concha. He was a skilled carpenter and worked for me back when I was doing construction. I always remember him laughing and telling jokes – he had a wonderful sense of humor. I asked if he would model for me – he said “Yes” so out into the fields we went, me with my paints and Joe with his drum.
He once invited me to go to Blue Lake, one of the Pueblo's most sacred spots. Oral legend holds that the Taos tribe was created from its waters. Actually, the War Chief invited me once too, but I never went. I'm content to paint what I imagine Blue Lake looks like, but I would never go. I respect that it’s a special place reserved for Pueblo members and off limits to the rest of us. (Article about Blue Lake HERE).
When Joe passed away, I told his sister about the painting I had done. The original had sold, but I gave her a print.
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"Taos Drummer/Joe Concha" (2006 - 18x24) |
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Joe’s family are the kindest, warmest people. A few years ago, we went to see the Pueblo bonfires on Christmas Eve. They saw us in the crowd and asked if we would like to come in for dinner. What a treat and an honor! Their home (in the ancient, multi-storied adobe buildings) faced the interior, so we could see the bonfires out of the front door. The family didn’t live there permanently – like most families they had another modern house on Pueblo land – but gathered at the ancestral home for ceremonials and special occasions.
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"Spirit of the Fire" (2019 - 24x36) |
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The Actual Taos Pueblo Christmas Eve Bonfires |
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"Taos Pueblo on Christmas Eve" (2018 - 36x48) |
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There were family photos all around the living room with comfortable couches where multi-generational family members were quietly chatting, and the kitchen table was loaded with delicious homemade food (tamales, pasole in red sauce, crockpots of beans, etc.). We all took turns loading our plates and ate by the soft glow of the lanterns hanging from the ceiling – remember that due to tradition, no electricity or running water is allowed within the Pueblo walls. That was such a beautiful experience. |
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Winterbear from Taos Pueblo |
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Winterbear from Taos Pueblo on Toronado |
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I’ve also gotten to know many of the Taos Pueblo artists and admired their work. So much talent there! A couple of years ago, I kept running into a young man who played several instruments and wanted to become an actor. If you ever saw him just once, you’d never forget him. He was strikingly regal, with the shiniest, longest, straightest black hair I’d ever seen. We kept encountering one another (and I kept staring), and one day I finally asked him if he ever did any modeling work. I felt compelled to paint him – and he agreed! |
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"Winterbear" (18x24 - Currently Available) |
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His name is Winterbear. He arrived with a couple of outfits, and as we photographed him on my horse, Toronado, we chatted about his aspirations. On that beautiful, sunny day, I felt...history. I don't know if that makes sense, but I couldn't wait to run home and paint "Winterbear" (18x24 - available). I haven't seen him lately, and I wish him well. |
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I would be remiss if I didn't mention the ceremonial dances. I’m actually in awe that the Taos Pueblo welcomes visitors to many of its feast days and ceremonies. My favorites are the deer dance and buffalo dance. About 30-35 men wear ritualistic costumes associated with the hunt (hides and heads of buffalo and deer). Starting at one side of the Pueblo, the dancers move from area to area, stopping from time to time to stomp and sway to the drumbeats, songs and chants of the elders. For the Deer Dance, at one point the deer rush a group of hunters, trying to make their way through the line. Too amazing for words. |
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"Spiritual Dusting" (Buffalo Dance Painted in 2008) |
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"Deer Dance at Taos Pueblo" (24x30 - 1995) |
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The Pueblo is still closed due to the pandemic, which I totally understand. They they want to protect their people. When it does open for visitors, I hope that you get a chance to visit Taos and go to this national jewel of culture and history. We are lucky to have it in Taos. |
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"Taos Pueblo Ponies" (2008) |
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"Feast Day at Taos Pueblo" (2014) |
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"Evening at Taos Pueblo" (18x36 2019) |
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Rub a Dub Dub: Three Men in a Tub
My gallery on Quesnel isn't very far away from the Pueblo. In fact, there is a well-known shortcut through my horse pasture to stores like Smith's that is taken quite often.
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One hot summer day about 10 years ago, I was working at the gallery and heard a loudspeaker. It was a Tourist Trolley taking people around Taos and showing them points of interest. They drove up Quesnel to mention the Couse-Sharp Historic Site.
I got curious about what they were saying and went outside. The trollies are open air buses essentially, with people hanging out of the windows to get great photographs.
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Unbeknownst to me... earlier that afternoon... three guys from the Pueblo had taken the shortcut through the pasture. It was terribly sunny and hot, and they spotted my round tin horse trough. The water must have tempted them beyond control - I'm sure it looked so cool and inviting... They proceeded to "go for it," take off all of their clothes and get in. |
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The trolley stopped, the guide is rattling off some facts, tourists are hanging out of the windows to get a better look... And all of a sudden, the three grown men pop up - standing with their backsides to the trolley, totally nude with their wet behinds glistening in the sun! Shrieking and gasps ensued, and the men just laughed and laughed as they stood there, proudly mooning the shocked busload of visitors.
I probably should have been somewhat angry. After all, I had to empty, clean and refill the water tank when they departed. BUT, it was so darn funny that I just stood and laughed until the trolley drove away. I wonder if any of those tourists got pictures! To this day, I still chuckle remembering that sight. I'm sure it was THE most memorable tour of Taos ever for those good folks.
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Featured Paintings
To inquire or request a high-resolution photo, contact 575.770.6360 or email edsandovalart@gmail.com. For all available paintings, click HERE.
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"New Mexico Winter Vineyard" (40x30) |
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"Musica Del Norte" (30x84) |
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Save the Date!
July 24, 2021
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If you're in Santa Fe for Spanish Market, please come by to see my one-man show at Canyon Road Contemporary Art (622 Canyon Road).
The show, named "Sangre," runs from July 23-29, but I'll be outside painting on that Saturday the 24th from 11 am to 3 pm.
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Their "Open House" shows will be displayed both in the garden under a canopy tent and inside the gallery. My show will run from 10am - 6pm with an art demonstrations (by me!) and music. I'll be doing a LOT of new work for the event, and I hope you can join us.
For info on this show and others at Canyon Road Contemporary Art, click HERE.
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DID YOU MISS A NEWSLETTER? PAST NEWSLETTERS HERE.
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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
119 Quesnel Street, Taos, NM 87571
www.edsandovalgallery.com | (575) 770-6360 | edsandovalart@gmail.com
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