Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Month: April 2025

Less is More, More or Less. 04-23-2025

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM This week, saying less is more, more or less.

The old saying “less is more” came to mind when I spotted this van at the trailhead covered in stickers. It was so overwhelming, I certainly didn’t take the time to read more than a few of them. To each their own.

Less is more, van stickers
More is less! Van stickers in Taos.

While browsing my archive, I came across the photos above, followed by this one from Cow Canyon Trading Post in Bluff, Utah. Here’s my shot from 2004 of the Buick Super Eight.
Can less say more? I think so.

Less is more
Buick Eight.

And below, a magpie nest that had fallen from a juniper tree on our property. Its exposed structure reveals the intricate work and craftsmanship involved in building a home for a young magpie family—a perfect example, I think, of using only what’s essential.

Magpie nest, inside out less is more.
Magpie nest, inside out, with the roof blown off.

As a side note, I left the nest untouched for a year, in case the magpies wanted to reuse the twigs for their next brood. They did return, but built a new nest from scratch, so I repurposed the old twigs to create the Dancing Magpie Ladder series in this featured post.

As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Less Is More

“Less is more” is more than just a design principle—it’s a philosophy, a mindset, and often, a path to clarity. Coined by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the phrase suggests that simplicity and restraint can lead to greater impact, beauty, and meaning.

In a world saturated with noise, distractions, and excess, the idea of less invites us to strip away what is unnecessary. Whether in art, architecture, writing, photography, or everyday life, reducing clutter, both physical and mental, can reveal the essence of what truly matters.

Minimalism doesn’t mean emptiness; it shows intentionality. It’s the white space in a painting that gives form to the figure, the pause in a piece of music that deepens emotion, or the lone word on a page that hits harder than a paragraph. In photography, for example, a single subject placed in a wide, empty frame can tell a more powerful story than a busy scene ever could.

“Less is more” is a reminder to trust simplicity: to allow space for interpretation, for breath, for depth; to do less, but do it better; to own less, but feel more; to speak less, but say what truly counts.

In the end, less is not a loss. It’s a refinement, a distillation of what’s essential. And often, it’s where we find the most beauty.

Minimalist Abstract Art, The Square. 04-16-2025

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, minimalist abstract art in a square format.

In June 2024, I said there might be another post of random abstraction, and as I have so many of this type of image, mostly shot on an iPhone, here goes.

Click on an image to expand and click off it to go back. Enjoy!

I wrote some sentences and put them as prompts into Grammarly and ChatGPT. This is what they came up with, modified further by me. Let me know your thoughts.

The Allure of Minimalist Abstract Art in Square Format

In a world saturated with noise and complexity, minimalist abstract art offers a visual breath of fresh air—clean lines, subtle textures, and intentional simplicity. When paired with the symmetry of a square format, this genre takes on a uniquely balanced and meditative quality that resonates deeply in modern spaces.

Why Square?
The square canvas provides perfect equilibrium. Unlike rectangles, which inherently suggest direction, the square is neutral—neither vertical nor horizontal. This neutrality invites the viewer to experience the artwork without predetermined movement, making it an ideal playground for minimalist expression.

Less is Powerful
Minimalist abstract art thrives on reduction. It strips away the nonessential, leaving only what truly matters: form, color, space, and emotion. A single brushstroke, a subtle shift in tone, or a geometric repetition can evoke calm, curiosity, or contemplation.

Harmony in Design
Whether hanging solo or as part of a grid, square-format minimalist pieces create rhythm and order. Their visual harmony complements contemporary interiors, bringing structure to eclectic rooms or serenity to stark spaces. They don’t shout—they whisper, and in that quietness, they speak volumes.

Final Thoughts
Minimalist abstract art in a square format isn’t about what you see—it’s about what you feel. It’s not minimal for the sake of aesthetics but to create space: for thought, stillness, and connection. In its quiet, it offers a rare and refreshing clarity.

Explore the balance. Embrace the square. Let less say more.

As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Stunning, Ghost Ranch New Mexico. 04-09-2025.

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, a trip around Ghost Ranch New Mexico.

This first image doesn’t scream “stunning,” but it is available as a postcard statewide and a good title shot for this post, “Welcome to Ghost Ranch”. Keep looking.

Ghost Ranch Gateway
Ghost Ranch Gateway.
Road to Ghost Ranch New Mexico
Road to Ghost Ranch New Mexico.
Shadows on the landscape.
Shadows on the landscape.
Piedra Lumbre, NM
Piedra Lumbre, NM
Piedra Lumbre, NM
Piedra Lumbre, (Shining Rock) NM
Ghost Ranch, used in many movies
Ghost Ranch is used in many movies.

I lit the candles inside for effect.

Church from a movie set
Church from a movie set.
A tree long gone
A tree long gone.
Tree long gone.
Another tree is long gone.
Moonrise over Orphan Mesa
Moonrise over Orphan Mesa.
A cliff overhang
A cliff overhang… long gone.
Curly's Cabin from City Slickers.
Curly’s Cabin from City Slickers #1… still there.
Warm light on warm red rocks
Warm light on warm red rocks.
Cold winter light
Cold winter light and snow.
Storm over the mesa
Storm brewing over the mesa.

Here’s more on Ghost Ranch.

As always, thank you for looking. I hope you enjoyed the tour. If you are inclined, join me on a photo tour/workshop. I’d love to introduce you to the area and work on getting you some stunning images. Have a great week. G

Route 66 Centennial, New Work. 04-02-2025

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Route 66 Centennial, and a composition created in collaboration with my good friend and business partner David to celebrate the upcoming Centennial of the “Mother Road” in 2026.

We have been creating murals and prints up to mural size on many subjects, including the image below, depicting the heyday of the cross-country artery that turns 100 next year. Is the song going around in your head? You know the one!

Route 66 composite, Tucumcari, Albuquerque, NM
A composite of Route 66 images from Tucumcari and Albuquerque, NM.

The Pontiac Chieftain below was taken in Tucumcari outside the Blue Swallow Motel. Check out more on the Centennial Celebration, or here for more info on the “Mother Road”.

Pontiac Chieftain, Tucumcari
Pontiac Chieftain.

Below are other pieces of new work created over the last few weeks.

Magpie Ladder Red Box Series.

Magpie Ladder-Red Box Series
Magpie Ladder-Red Box Series, #6.

Below is ‘Extrusion’ printed on paper or canvas on sizes up to 40″ x 60″. Stay tuned for more upcoming new work.

Extrusion, large prints
“Extrusion”

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G