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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New Mexico Winter Wonderland Road Trip |
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The first quarter of the year in Taos is so quiet and slow. After the energetic hustle and bustle of the holidays, with festive events and parties with friends, it’s like Mother Nature gave the whole world a sedative. I get zoned out and lethargic, shuffling around the house and forgetting why I went into rooms. But we have a tried-and-true method for recharging my art batteries – road trips to experience more of enchanting New Mexico! |
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I wanted to revisit the area around Chama and Tierra Amarilla. From Taos, you drive west to Tres Piedres, and instead of turning right toward Antonito, CO, you go straight for about 60 miles, up and over the snow-packed mountains. It’s an exceptionally beautiful drive that goes by Hopewell Lake, but make sure you have a good vehicle and a full tank because there’s no gas station, no cell service, no nothing except gorgeous woodlands and snow. In fact, I think the road is now closed. Good thing we got back when we did. |
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Once in Tierra Amarilla, we took narrow back roads that snaked through the village, past some brand new buildings (like the courthouse) and many captivating, abandoned adobe ruins. I always stop and think about the history and stories that must still resonate within the crumbling, earthen walls of these once thriving mom-and-pop stores and homes. Like in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, the doors and windows were closed off decades ago, but the buildings must still house the memories of the people who worked and lived there.
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Next, we headed to Los Brazos. In 2013, I went there to paint the stark, dark-brown rock cliffs that rise up powerfully and overlook the clear waters of the Brazos river. This remote area has been built up quite a bit since then, with a surprising number of new vacation cabins, but the deep snow stopped us from venturing too far once we entered the forest. |
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My Painting "Los Brazos" (2013) |
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Dark Rock Cliffs of Los Brazos |
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Finally, we got to charming Chama, checked into a cozy cabin at River Bend Lodge and headed to Foster's Hotel & Bar (established in 1881) for a game of pool, cold drinks and dinner. I LOVE going into bars and meeting locals, like the cattle rancher who bought us a round and talked about elk hunting, mountain lions and Stormy Daniels. LOL – eclectic! |
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Cabin at River Bend Lodge |
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Before returning to Taos, we took a detour to check out Heron Lake State Park. I didn’t remember the lake being that large, and all the camping sites are quite impressive. We even saw a couple of fat and happy deer. I couldn't wait to get back home and start new paintings based on everything I re-experienced. First up – a painting of Los Brazos! |
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Before Chama, Gwen spent a week in Mexico with her sister and sis-in-law on a girls trip to gorgeous Isla Mujeres (Island of the Women). A 45-minute ferry ride from Cancun, this island is known for its pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters. |
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We're pretty sure the large upside-down "U" shaped building in the middle of the photo is where they stayed – Ixchel Beach Hotel in a beachfront suite with a wrap around private balcony. Each night, they walked only 1/2 a block to reach a dizzying array of restaurants, bars and shops. They reported that it was quite pricey, but drop-dead stunning and fun. |
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I've never been ON the island, but I was by it in a boat once. Eons ago, I went to Cancun with some buddies (around the time this photo of our deep sea fishing catch was taken – me on the left). I was walking on the beach when I saw an old, old man next to a VERY small, rusty boat. I started talking to him in Spanish, and he told me that he was a local fisherman who went out on the ocean every day. I asked if I could come with him, and he nodded and told me to show up at 5 am. Geez... that's early, but the next morning I met him promptly at 5 am. |
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We went out, and I immediately wondered if I had made a grave mistake because the tiny boat was rocking pretty violently on the waves. Eventually, I settled down, he caught fish and we were getting ready to wrap it up and head to shore. But all of a sudden, his rod jerked. For the next hour, it was as if Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea was being reenacted right in front of me!
The old fisherman grunted and struggled during a tug-of-war with his pole and line, but he finally pulled the beast next to the boat and yelled at me, "Get the club and whack him on the head!" I looked – it was a 10-12 foot shark! Without thinking, I grabbed the club and whack, whack, whacked it until it stopped thrashing. Proudly, smiling from ear to ear, the old man turned the boat toward the shore and we chugged our way in. Jumping out of the boat, we pulled the shark up onto the beach.
Here's the fun part: all these little kids from up and down the beach ran over to see that shark and formed a circle around him. There were dozens and dozens of them, all with big wide eyes. Suddenly, with a last gasp of life, he thrashed his tail and the kids went ZOOM. I've never seen kids move that fast! LOL. The took off in a microsecond, scared that the shark might wiggle over and get them. Apparently, I hadn't killed it – only stunned it. Wow, I had ONE job to do. Ha ha! But the sight of those kids scattering to the winds made the whole perilous journey worth it. I'm actually quite amazed we got back alive.
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To inquire or request a high-resolution photo, contact 575.770.6360 or email edsandovalart@gmail.com. All available original paintings are located HERE.
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"Beauty of Los Brazos" (36x48) |
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"Three Bells" (36x36) – SOLD
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My painting "Winter in Trampas" (painted in 2014 – ten years ago!) just came out on the cover of the February/March issue of the Taos News' Enchanted Homes.
In addition to showcasing homes for sale in Taos and illustrating their different styles, it also contains articles about local folks and their art and small businesses. An example is Stephen Kilborn's pottery and how his style has evolved over 40 years.
Check out the online version HERE.
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Now that winter is here and life has slowed down a bit, I'm able to get out and meet up with friends that I haven't seen in forever. In the photo, me and Tim Rivera met up at the Taos Inn (with Kelly and Gwen) to catch up and enjoy a few perfect margaritas.
We're by a painting I did a long time ago of three ghostly spirit riders. The apparitions are riding in the snow... past the Taos Inn's brilliantly lit sign and windows. Today, it's in the "coffee room" by the Adobe Bar.
FUN & LITTLE KNOWN FACT: At first, I used more summer colors (see below), but winter's snowy silence seemed more fitting.
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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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