Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Ranchos de Taos





Yesterday (Monday) - I recruited my sister to assist me in delivering my largest painting (8 Feet X 4 Feet) and my smallest (4 Inches X 4 Inches) to Michael McCormick Gallery in Taos. A cargo van was required so I contacted trusty Enterprise Car Rental on Cerrillos Road - where Bogart delivered expeditious and courteous service - thanks Bogart. The drive to Taos is always enjoyable and beautiful, as was this drive.

The weight of this large painting proved to be difficult in mounting. The 50LB gauge picture wire I affixed snapped like twine - much to my consternation - luckily we tested it before mounting it on the wall. Michael had in his supply closet a very heavy gauge that worked perfectly. He pulled out his scale and the painting weighed in at 53 LBS - which he exactly guessed before. We laughed at how those three extra pounds caused the 50lb gauge wire to exceed its limit - Nathan later reminded me that in reality the pound gauge is a base but usually far exceeds it. I'll have to talk to the guys at Artisan… Thereafter the painting went up and we all stood back for our ahhhh moment. Thanks Michael and Mary Ellen.

Michael surprised me with his galleries recent feature in Taos Magazine, written by Ramsey Scott it details Michael's years in the Taos art market and I was given a mention with inclusion of an image, my "San Esteban del Rey, Acoma" piece. I quote Scott Ramsey, "On the North Wall I found a collection of early northern New Mexico churches by the precociously talented Alvin Gill-Tapia. I wondered about the Martinez women and if they had knelt and prayed in those very churches."

En-route back to Santa Fe, both Mary Ellen and I were reminded by my noisy stomach - we needed food. She had remembered on the way to Taos of a Gourmet Magazine featured restaurant in Embudo(NM) - Sugar's. Driving the winding road from Taos we were careful not to pass it, a simple, un-pretentious, tin clad kitchen with a long portal and a walk up window. We were pleasantly greeted after studying the menu - mounted on the side of the exterior wall, proudly on that same wall was the feature in Gourmet Magazine. I ordered their namesake burger, and shared an order of onion rings, the burger dressed with green chili, bacon, and mushrooms was a WOW, we both enjoyed our food. Sitting outdoors or in the auto were our only options, we selected a nice table in the sun under an apple tree. Luckily our December day was warm and beautiful, soaking in the rays of New Mexico's sun - we enjoyed the landscape and watched the billowing smoke from Sugar's Smokers.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

World Aids Day







Santa Fe is experiencing some fantastic weather, low grey clouds, high winds, and a lot of rain fall. Just perfect for our high desert needs and our thirsty gardens, we won't have to dig out the hoses for a while.After lunch at Back Street Bistro - mmmm their Friday Matzo Ball Soup, with Charlotte and Joyce we wandered about Canyon Road seeing some of the openings before the crowds arrived. One memorable piece is McCabe by Linda Leslie (a friend) showing at Selby Fleetwood, also at Selby were some Hikaru dorodango - New Mexico Earthen Balls, the artist Bruce Gardner has utilized a methodology of compacting and drawing out the moisture to harden these pieces. They are finished in a very high luster and Charlotte and I both held one in our palms and experienced a vibration like feeling - believe me Charlotte is rarely susceptible to the (woo woo) as she calls it. Thereafter we were off to Santa Fe Clay for their artists show, including Steven Harrison's ox blood glaze birds which are beautiful, we took some time to visit with Geena Fowler and enjoyed looking through her esoteric and humorous clay creations.

Red Ribbon in acknowledgment of World Aids Day - Educate friends, family and strangers of the importance of SAFE SEX. http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/ We all can make a difference - knowledge is power. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT HIV, AIDS!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Aid & Comfort Gala



Southwest Cares Aid and Comfort Gala this year was an event not to be missed. With a Roaring Twenties theme many gala attendees were in full regalia. We saw lots of great art and friends.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Thanksgiving in Santa Fe










Ok - FEASTS come fairly often in our circle of friends and family - with that said we all must self impose moderation. Not always the easiest thing to do, but oh so necessary in the larger scheme of things - like our health and well being. This year my Sister hosted T-day - her best Turkey to date - juicy and scrumptious. Bry with his new crock cooker, utilized it for the 5th time in as many days that he had it - for the Ham, MMMM was it great. Other favorites on the Menu - Nat's Famous Banana pudding with meringue, mothers home made yeast rolls(FAB). Of course we had to have the old staples - Broccoli Rice Casserole, Renee's super cranberries, Pinon Pie (which seems to be taking over) and our new cocktail this year was the Hurricane. Glad you joined us Marcey!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Sangre De Cristo Aspens






Every autumn in Santa Fe there is a mass exodus up the Sangre De Cristo Mountains from Santa Fe. Also known as Hyde State Park and generally referenced in Santa Fe as the Ski Basin - this famous mountain range plays host to a spectacular show of nature. Easily seen from a 20 mile distance these trees turn a golden yellow with patches of red strewn in for drama (so it seems). It is many residents annual trek up into nature, it is always surprising as you begin driving up - within minutes you are in thick forest/woods. As you begin to approach the aspen groves it is impossible to refrain from ooooh and aaaaah - and thus begins ones fanciful journey into the show of the season. All it lacks really is the sounds of opera bellowing from the trunks of the trees as it seems each of these beautiful specimens is a Diva. And so it was this year, Gordon was only minutes off the plane from NYC and I was filling his ears with the beauty of what I wanted us to drive up and see. Later that week we found ourselves with lunch and cameras in tow emitting oooh & aaaah. Above are some of the pictures I shot that glorious day in Santa Fe.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Thanksgiving Comes Early in Albuquerque












Saturday night was a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, hosted by Dennis and Myron. A true feast including Myron's Gratin potatoes, the best this side of the Pecos, the main was scrumptious pork tenderloin perfectly accompanied by a squash medley. One of our finales was Bryan's famous Pinon Pie (similar to a Pecan pie, but topped with Pine nuts). Many Spirits were flowing and much fun and laughter. We were all thankful to be together and for our many happy memories.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Autumn in New York






New York in October is Beautiful and one of my favorite times to be there - not to mention celebrating my birthday in the Big Apple - was a treat. Jay & Gordon hosted a most FABULOUS dinner party, we were surrounded by many good people. The menu included Boeuf Bourguignon served over egg noodles. In Jay's gastronomic expertise he tended this dish through several days of preparation - the boeuf was as tender as could be and the taste divine. Our finale was his home made Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting - needless to say we were all in Gastronomic heaven. Thank you Gordon & Jay! During our time there we visited our favorite stomping grounds including the MOMA - had to see the new building. That is also where the Jaguar Roadster was on exhibition - I thought Dennis would LOVE it. The Met for their Dutch Masters Exhibition - visiting my old friends by Rembrandt's hand made me happy. Of course no visit would be complete without the visual pleasure of China Town's street markets - including a stop for lunch. While there we picked up three lobster for a mere $25 - eat your heart out Massachusetts. Jay again tantalizing our taste buds prepared lobster rolls and fried oysters that evening. WOW - they put smiles on our faces..... We are looking forward to our next visit already!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Kokanee Salmon





I thought I would share our fishing excursion (my first as an adult). It was Charlotte, Nathan and I - at Heron Lake(NM). The landscape was spectacular, as you can see from the images. Nathan dined on the Salmon and thought them delectable. The Kokanee are a land locked version of ocean dwelling Sockeye. Another factoid - is they are plankton eating - surprising from the look of their mouth and teeth. What a Great Day!




Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Aid & Comfort


Here is Pink Cristo Rey - my latest piece made and donated to benefit Southwest Cares Organization -http://southwestcare.org/ The Aid & Comfort Gala @ at the Eldorado Hotel is on Saturday November 24, 2007. Thank you Bryan for the Frame... Hope to see lots of familar faces there.