Cottonwoods, Arroyo Hondo, Taos Valley 10-19-22

October 19, 2022October 19, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from the beautiful San Cristobal Valley, Arroyo Hondo and Taos. The valleys are currently adorned with the colors of cottonwoods, and multiple hues of reds and golds.

Last weekend, we had rain that made the colors pop against the dark rain-laden clouds over Pueblo Peak, (Taos Mountain).

Last weekend, we had lots of rain that made the colors pop against the dark, rain-laden clouds over Pueblo Peak (Taos Mountain). This first image is from El Prado (the meadows), one of my favorite views of Pueblo Peak with a dramatic sky overhead. The cottonwoods here are more silver of bare branches interspersed with swatches of yellow and gold.

After a trip to the grocery store, this was the scene that caused me to pull over. The sky and the shadows moving swiftly across the meadows brought the place to life following a day of grey, overcast skies.

The second image is of my favorite cottonwood in Arroyo Hondo. I was on a photo tour with Bob and Anne. We captured this view as the sun broke from behind a cloud. Within a few minutes, it was shrouded in shadow again. It made a fitting end to a great day with my guests.

Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood — Arroyo Hondo cottonwood is spotlighted by evening sunlight.

It’s fall and temperatures are dropping as New Mexico takes a magic carpet ride into the throes of winter. The aspens and cottonwoods shroud the landscape in a cape of gold, glowing against the blue skies in the pristine light. At this time of year, the night skies are crystal clear. The moon, constellations, galaxies, and milky way light up the night sky like few other places on earth. Join me on a photo tour or private workshop of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Continuing Exhibit.

“Those who came before” at Bareiss Gallery Taos – 40″x38″ Sold

My solo exhibition at Bareiss Gallery here in Taos continues through October 31, 2022. The gallery will be open 9 – 2 pm on weekdays. I’ll be there on Saturday, October 22, and Saturday, October 29, or by appointment. Come and visit. It will be great to meet you. G

Bareiss Gallery is located at:
15 State Rd 150 Taos, NM
575-776-2284

As always thank you for looking. G

Autumn in New Mexico, Eloquence of Silence. 10-12-22

October 12, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. Autumn colors and clouds reflecting in Hopewell Lake and two images from my solo exhibit at Bareiss Gallery. My show is up until October 31, 2022. So far, visitors, sales, and many new collectors have made the show very successful. Thank you to all who came out, I am honored and grateful.

Click on an image to enlarge it.

The cottonwoods were peaking when we took a short walk along the lake shore.
I’m on a photo tour/workshop this week and we’ve seen some color changes on a grand scale. Hopewell Lake on Highway 64 is a go-to location, and if I go nowhere else in the fall I’ll be happy.

Cottonwood colors northern NM — Cottonwood colors Hopewell Lake, northern NM

Two images from my show titled “The Eloquence of Silence, #1 and #2” I would welcome the opportunity to share my exhibit and new work with you. I’ll be in the gallery Saturday from 11 am -5 pm. I look forward to meeting you.

Photograph Eloquence of Silence #2 — Eloquence of Silence #2

Silence has an eloquence surpassing that of speech; creating a space in which the heart’s thoughts can resound, and deeply-felt emotion can echo with a voice profound in another’s heart, that listens in the silence. (Howard Owen Smith – My Dad).

These two images work very well together as a pair.

My solo exhibition at Bareiss Gallery here in Taos continues through October 31, 2022. The gallery will be open 9 – 2 pm on weekdays. I’ll be there on Saturdays and by appointment. Come and visit. It will be great to meet you. G

Bareiss Gallery is located at:
15 State Rd 150 Taos, NM
575-776-2284

As always thank you for looking. G

“Have a Seat” Bareiss Gallery, Taos.

October 5, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico.

Friday is the day for the opening of my solo exhibit, “Have a Seat”. You’ll see what it’s all about if you are able to attend the opening or visit the exhibition during the month of October in Taos.

Below is one of the prints in the show. My photography is combined with my sculpture to create a show where the chair is the conversation.

Artist Statement

“Have A Seat” – Bareiss Gallery

What you see before you is the confluence of my life experiences where I have explored relationships, the search, and the desire for connection. Photography, carpentry, design, writing, and sculpting have led me to this place. This work is the exuberant expression of a eureka moment, and there have been many such moments with their outward manifestation of inner joy, conflict, passion, and peace.

Life is a conversation. Chairs often facilitate that conversation. A chair is where people sit, gather around a table to discuss and resolve conflicts, share a meal, and debate views and values. We sit in chairs to be entertained. We stand on chairs to reach things when a ladder would be much safer. A chair represents a place to rest and experience a relaxing moment; to read a book, enjoy the view, catch one’s breath, or just do nothing and stare. A chair is where old friends reminisce, discuss life, and hold conversations.

In these new pieces, the chairs become the conversation. The chair is a constant, emotion-evoking icon.

Geraint Smith
San Cristobal, NM

October 7, 2022

Geraint Smith Exhibit at the Bareiss Galley Taos

If you are fortunate enough to be in Taos during October, join me at the Bareiss Gallery. Details above. I look forward to seeing you.

As always thank you for looking. G

Milky Way, Lobatos Bridge, Colorado. 09-28-22

September 28, 2022 by Geraint

The Milky Way at the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. Last weekend, we had a fabulous, showing of work at the Stables Gallery in Taos. I want to thank everyone who came out and for your support in comments, compliments, and purchases. Many new works found homes. Thank you!

It’s Milky Way season! My friend, photographer, and filmmaker John Williams visited us from Boulder during the weekend. We took the opportunity to make a drive out to the Lobatos Bridge that crosses the Rio Grande in southern Colorado to capture the milky way. It was very dark on the edge of the cliffs, but we managed to pull off a decent image when an old truck crossed over, filling the area with light and fumes. One more vehicle drove over a little later, and that was it, just us, the river, the bridge, and the stars in a pristine, clear sky.

The bridge with the ghostly figure of John in the middle.

Fast approaching is my solo exhibit at Bareiss Gallery here in Taos. I look forward to seeing those who can make it. The opening reception will be on October 7, from 3 – 6 pm (maybe it will last longer). The gallery will be open 9 – 2 pm on weekdays. I’ll be there on the weekends and by appointment. Come and visit. It will be great to meet you.

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

Equinox, Wildflowers, Fine Art, New Mexico. 09-21-2022

September 21, 2022 by Geraint

Wildflowers on the equinox in the Valle Vidal, NM

A flashback photo you may remember from a rainy day in the high country of northern New Mexico.

Taos Artist Combo II Exhibit/Sale
11 Taos Artists/ 3 Days
Stables Gallery/Taos: Sept. 23-25, 11-5 pm
Photography, pastels, prints, and paintings, direct from the artists

*Frederick Aragon *Bill Davis *Audrey Davis
*Gene Gray *Sara Jean Gray *Celesa Lucien
*Rob Nightingale *Margery Readin
*George Schaub *Geraint Smith *Doug Yeager

Opening Reception: Friday,
September 23, 4-7 pm
The Stables Gallery is located at:
133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571

Below are three of the many fine art prints I will be showing in the fall equinox show “Taos Artist Combo II Exhibit” at the Stables Gallery in Taos.

Fine art print Buffalo Eye — Fine art print, “Buffalo” American Bison

Shrine, Los Cerrillos — At the shrine in Los Cerrillos, NM

If you are fortunate to be in Taos during the above dates, I hope you will stop by the Stables Gallery to see all the work and say hello! I’ll look forward to seeing and meeting you.

As always, thank you for looking. G

Photography Workshop Highlights, 09-14-22

September 14, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week features a few images that highlight what we saw during a three-day photography workshop, this time with Scott a talented photographer from Houston. His enthusiasm inspired me. I think I inspired him.

Our last day was spent in the mountains. If you follow me or have taken a photography workshop with me you might recall this place, Comanche Point in the Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life). It’s looking a lot like fall up there. It won’t be long till the aspens turn color. In fact, it’s already begun.

We spent a couple of hours at our first stop in Ojo Caliente, working at this location and looking for an interesting composition. This is what I came up with on this trip. I look forward to seeing Scott’s interpretation. Here’s one from a visit last year.

Santa Cruz church, Ojo Caliente, NM — Church of Santa Cruz, Ojo Caliente, NM

The Rio Grande Gorge is home to many bighorn sheep. Every now and again a ram will pop up when you least expect it, and strike up a pose where you would want it. In this case up high against a blue New Mexico sky.

Bighorn Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, NM — Bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Close up Bighorn sheep Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, on a photography workshop in northern New Mexico. — Close up of bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Restoration, repairing, and mudding are underway at the San José de Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos. The doorway arch has been replicated to an early look. The big doors were closed for weather sealing which allowed me to shoot a new angle. Usually, the doors are staked open which often provides a nice framing element.

At first glance, the scaffolding looked interesting and I had an idea to make a documentary image. Then the sun came out from behind a cloud and added shadows to the scene. Fortuitous.

Restoration at the Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Restoration mudding at San José de las Trampas, NM

The partially closed doors created a different look at one of the belfries.

Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Through the big doors at the Las Trampas Church.

Closing this week’s post is the harvest moon, shot from the deck as it rose over our mountains.

Harvest Moon rise, San Cristobal, NM — Harvest Moon rising, San Cristobal, NM

As always, thanks for looking. G

And The New Mexico Treasures Calendar Winners Are… 09-07-22

September 7, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. It’s time to announce the winners of the New Mexico Treasures calendar. Drumroll, please!

New Mexico Treasures 2023 desk top calendar.

There were 116 entries.

Congratulations to the winners of the drawing for the New Mexico Treasures 2023 Calendar, Bob Freudenheim, Mary Alston, Linda Flanagan, and Joe Riter. I will be in touch this weekend to get your mailing addresses or send me a message here on my website with your mailing address through my contact form.

Thank you to everyone who participated. It was fun for me to read all the comments and although there were too many to answer, I read every one!

This coming week I’ll be on photo tours on the High Road to Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge, Abiquiu, the San Luis Valley, and Salida, Colorado.

I’ll have some new images to post next week from the above locations. In the meantime, I’ll be preparing for my two upcoming exhibits.

I’m honored to join the other fine artists in “The Taos Artist Combo II Exhibit and Sale” join us and bring all your friends and family for this special Taos art celebration and gathering at the Stables Gallery at the TCA in Taos from Sept 23-25. A special meet the artist’s reception takes place at the Grand Opening Friday, Sept 23 from 4-7 PM. Artists include Frederick Aragon, Bill Davis, Audrey Davis, Gene Gray, Sara Jean Gray, Celesa Lucien, Rob Nightingale, Margery Reading, George Schaub, Geraint Smith, and Doug Yeager. The gallery is open Friday to Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM

The Stables Gallery is located at: 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571

And…

… coming up in October! Mark your calendars.

On October 7-31, 2022, I will have a solo exhibition of my Sculpture and Photography, all new work, at the Bareiss Gallery here in Taos

If you get a chance to visit either show or both shows it will be great to see/meet you.

Preparing the exhibit. — Preparing for the exhibit at Bareiss Gallery, Taos.

As always, thank you for looking, your support and friendship, purchases, comments, and compliments.
Geraint.

Raton, New Mexico. Around the Block. 08-31-22

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 by Geraint

Raton, New Mexico, is a two-hour drive from home in San Cristobal. Every time I visit Raton, which isn’t often but often enough for me to become familiar with the town and neighbors, I always find something to photograph. There’s always something that delights me each time.

Marchiondo’s Store, City Market, Texan Motel.

Click on an image to enlarge.

In its heyday, Raton was a happening place.

Every motel had a cafe, making it a one-stop for travelers. Some of the motels have an enclosed garage with each room. Popular on a lot of cross country routes.
Which motel to choose? Breakfast, lunch, and dinner ‘in our cafe’ no less, as opposed to in your room.

The Colt Motel.

Dog and pony show at the Colt Motel.

Schwede’s Saloon, Raton, NM It says on the board “B E SAFE”, followed by “GODB LESS” and a phone number.

The Servomation van has been parked for several years in a downtown alleyway. I enjoyed the bricked-in patterns in the wall.

Then around a corner on a side street, five pots and two downspouts with a solitary cloud.

Architecture details on walls and sidewalks.

American flag and a bicycle through the blistered reflective window covering.

“Smile”. I didn’t see any cameras around the back of this building but it did make me smile!

Spirit figures in the plywood paneling on the boarded up Texan Motel. With all the stories these empty buildings can tell, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more than just these impressions floatining around beyond the panels.

With all the boarded up buildings whoever has the plywood concession in this town must be doing well for themselves.

The town maintains a mighty dignity through it’s years of economic drought, and as the sign in the window says…

After a fun day walking around different areas in town it was time to make the drive home.

We had to make a stop in Cold Beer, NM on US 64, formerly known as the Colfax Tavern …

… for a cold beer and some portrait making in the natural window light.

Good friend and all round good bloke, R. David Marks.

I hope you enjoyed a trip around the block. As always, thank you for looking. G

Storm clouds with Taos Mountain, 08-24-22

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM.

Taos Mountain was shrouded in storm clouds with a big storm brewing. The storm brought heavy rains to the valley, flooding arroyos and causing acres of yellow daisies to bust out everywhere in the county.

Here is my favorite view of Taos Mountain with storm clouds this week in El Prado (the meadows).

I had to go and risk a sneezing fit to get a couple of shots of the Verbesina, commonly known as Golden Crownbeard, Cowpen, or Butter daisies. They are also known as American Dogweed daisies.

Verbesina, Golden Crownbeard, and Cowpen daisies alongside RC Gorman’s wall.

Verbesina, Golden Crownbeard, and Cowpen daisies with RC Gormans wall — Verbesina, Golden Crownbeard, and Cowpen daisies with RC Gorman’s wall.

Soon the birds will start to gather on wires for their annual migration. I’m always fascinated by the seemingly mathematical precision placement on the powerlines.

The morning Mourning Dove perches in our almost dead cottonwood. I suspect these doves are Eurasian Collared Doves. They begin their morning cooing ritual outside the bedroom windows when I wake up. I call them ‘moaning’ doves because there’s no chance of going back to sleep with all their cooing that sounds like moaning to me.

Mourning dove in the morning — Mourning Dove in the morning, San Cristobal.

Lastly, a couple of shots from a walk around the Saint Francis church, (San Francisco de Asis), in Ranchos de Taos, NM.

Afternoon light at the Saint Francis church Ranchos de Taos, NM.

Finally, I have four extra copies of the New Mexico Treasures Calendar. I’ve contributed images to this calendar for the last decade. In two weeks, I’ll have a drawing of the names of those who comment on this post. I’ll put everyone’s name in a hat and draw four winners.

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

Llano de San Juan, Beautiful High Road to Taos, August 17, 2022

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal and the High Road Village of Llano de San Juan, High Road to Taos.

I’m often on the High Road many times each year. It is a big favorite of my photo tour/workshops. If you want to take a trip back through time, take the High Road to Taos in New Mexico. It is not just a step back in time it’s a giant leap back in time. The villages and hamlets were settled many centuries ago. A lot of what one sees on the High Road to Taos is that old. The village of Las Trampas was settled as far back as the 1750s, and the church, along with an irrigation ditch was built shortly thereafter.

The images in this week’s post were made in Llano de San Juan, a slight detour off the main road. It’s out there with fabulous views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains extending north and south as a backdrop. The church of San Juan Nepomuceno in Llano de San Juan was photographed in the 1940s by Russell Lee for the Farm Services Administration.

I never tire of a trip on the High Road. It takes me back in time to my first visit there in 1984. Here’s what I wrote about my first impressions of this area in New Mexico.

“In Thanksgiving week 1984 I made my first of many trips to New Mexico. On this occasion, five of us friends set out on a foggy morning from Santa Fe and made our way north on the high road to Taos. The sites and sounds on the streets of Santa Fe soon opened up to the immense vistas of mesas, and beyond to the Taos Volcanic Plateau.

“We passed through the village of Chimayo climbing the hill to Truchas (Spanish for Trout). Rapidly gaining elevation the landscape changed to pristine hills of ponderosa pines and rust-colored tones of scrub oak in the undergrowth. The vast square miles of pine trees in the Carson National Forrest were punctuated by the bare, white highlights of lanky aspen. Through the misty veil of condensation on the window, we were afforded more than a subtle hint of what autumn in the high country of New Mexico might have looked like one month earlier.

“Leaving Truchas for Penasco, the fog set in. The temperature dropped in the sparsely populated, mountain communities of Las Trampas and Picuris. The colder air outside the car became magically enhanced by the aroma of piñon and juniper burning in the fireplaces of scattered homes. At this very moment… sometimes you just know it, the mystery of things unknown and northern New Mexico took a very palpable hold on me.

“Not more than four years later, in the spring of 1988 that hold tightened and I moved to a small adobe building, with two fireplaces, in Talpa, NM, and began stockpiling five cords of wood for what promised to be a cold winter that year…

Llano de San Juan adobe home — Adobe “home” with the church belfry peaking over the roof.

Llano de San Juan post office — The former Post Office Zip Code 87543.

I extended to myself the liberty to create an old photographic look for the following image. I had an old piece of plexiglass lying around. I took it outside and scratched it up with a sheet of sandpaper, followed by a muddy water bath in the driveway. I took a photo of the plexiglass and inverted the image so that the whites became black, creating dark streaks. I like it and have used it on a few other occasions. Here is another photo I created in the Bosque del Apache.

Llano de San Juan old photo grunge — Old photo grunge technique.

And to end this week’s post is how my day ended last Wednesday with the almost full supermoon rising behind Taos Mountain as seen from the deck.

Full moonrise, Taos Mountain — Full moonrise with Taos Mountain from San Cristobal.

As always, Thank you for looking. G