Reflecting and Moving On

How anyone with a creative bent could visit new Mexico and not be deeply affected is beyond me. My head is absolutely spinning- I can easily understand why so many artists go to New Mexico and stay there. There is a pure celebration of the arts and an enthusiatic recognition that art is an important component of the state's economy.  Even the State Capitol Building doubles as an art gallery with EVERY corridor showcasing the art of the states most inspired residents. the state shares the extensive collection in an Online  Gallery. The Governor's office has a display of the state's current recipients of the Governor's Awards for Excellence.

The main lobby of the Capitol has a huge display of the Santa Fe book Artists Guild. 


As I toured the building which has amazing public access I was simply in awe of the integration of government in action with  the omnipresent anchor of the State's art and craft which in turn so reflects the land. 

Mixed Media Buffalo by Holly Hughes

As I traveled and luxuriated in so much explosive colour and kept finding variations of three dimensional approaches with organic materials and functional applications that I want to revisit (lanterns!!) I had the familiar dilemma  of enjoying my vacation but longing to get into the studio to put those new ideas into practice!
Stand by for some colourful posts here over the next few days... I'm happy to share some of the New Mexico's colourful inspiration! 

Canyon Road - Santa Fe or How Santa Fe is like Peggy's Cove

It was hard to meander along Santa Fe's  breathtaking Canyon Road with my champagne taste and  beer (or should I say margarita) budget. The narrow road is packed with incredible galleries housed in sensuously aged adobe buildings. I became obsessed with photographing gallery storefronts with mere glimpses of the artwork housed within.

The Jane Saur Gallery has come up repeatedly in my searches for contemporary basketry. It was wonderful to see the gallery and the artwork  in person You can take a virtual visit by beaming yourself to the website. (just click the red link) As an artisan I got the biggest kick out of following an outside path to a patio leading to a back gallery which is a functional work zone where pieces were being unwrapped and there were several huge boxes waiting to be shipped.  One label had" SOFA Chicago" on it.  I could slap that label on my own luggage because I'll be heading there for inspiration in November!

Of course you are wondering what the misty landscape of  Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia can possibly have to do with the  undulating architecture of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both are a photographer's dream- it's a challenge not to point the camera at random and find a luscious composition in the viewfinder.

While putting this blog entry together Iwss streaming CBC radio and listening to "Earlier"... I emailed the host to say "hi" from Santa Fe and he said hello back on the air-here's the podcast-the music is fun and Ramona is funky!

Hola from New Mexico!

I'm on a vacation in Santa Fe! I have always wanted to come here.We arrived yesterday and this wonderful place is everything I expected and more. The architecture that embraces the landscape so perfectly-Windows are an afterthought- the focus is onbeautiful interiors and cool shade- so different from the west coast affection for maximum interior light.

I'm going to struggle to avoid over-using the word beautiful over the next week-

Did I mention marguritas yet?

Astrid- in the Crafts Council of BC Prohibition Tea Party Online Auction

Here's Astrid. This  Muse is currently doing campy onstage moves on the catwalk as she "works it" to get a bid for the CCBC Prohibition Tea Party. She appreciates tea but is hoping someone will have a martini in a tea cup for her.... if you like her you can bid for her online and help the Craft Council of BC continue to support artisans and craftspeople.