Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
505-501-4880
Patinas and rust galore in New Mexico. Peer in to any abandoned building, drive down any back road and you will find scenes like this one. The payoff, from rural flight, is an opportunity to document the past that often gives me a glimpse into the lives of those gone before. Thanks for looking. G
Shadows at the Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos. Stopped in here at the Ranchos Plaza on a photo tour yesterday and had a little fun with the cell phone. Thanks for looking. G
Chapel and cross, San Ysidro, NM, with Avanyu sea serpent cloud, sailing merrily along in our gorgeous New Mexico skies. Here is an image of an Avanyu petroglyph in the Rio Grande Gorge. If you want to read more about this symbol, visit the links below. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for looking and enjoy. G
https://www.symbols.com/symbol/avanyu-symbol
https://e-warren1114-aho.blogspot.com/2012/08/avanyu-symbol.html
RIP F. Ted Henry
F. Ted Henry, is a jeweler and craftsman who displays and sells his stunning work at the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo) , Arizona.
On our annual photo trip this year to the four corners region of the southwest, we met Ted, in Canyon de Chelly. He greeted us warmly “Ya at eeh” and as we were already marveling at his jewelry, offered to show us something special. I feel sure he has shared his story with thousands of other visitors to his display stand at the White House Ruin. In my case, meeting Ted and hearing his story, had a profound effect and will leave a lasting impression. His smiling face and open, friendly nature was beguiling. He asked if I knew who Ansel Adams was? I answered, “I did”. He proceeded to open a coffee table size book to a page of a Navajo woman holding an infant on a cradle board. I am very familiar with the image and recognized it immediately. It is a personal favorite and is synonymous with Canyon de Chelly. I started to get tummy flutters as I anticipated where he might be going with this story. The Navajo tradition of story telling is not wasted on Ted. He dove in to how he first saw the image later in life, when a friend showed him the book with a picture of his mother and infant brother. He didn’t know for so many years that this image by Ansel Adams existed. His story continued until he laid a photo down of his mother made fifty years later, holding the Ansel Adams book open to the pages, in the exact location where he photographed her in 1942. Ted said we were welcome to make a portrait of himself holding the book and the companion photo. His smile and pride were palpable as the light in the canyon. I was quite overwhelmed by his gracious nature and the time in his presence. I made a few images of Ted under one of the cottonwood trees in the reflected light from the canyon walls, and beaming so bright I was glad to be wearing sunglasses. Thanks for looking. G
Ted’s card shown below says… “Ya at eeh (greetings) – Welcome to the heart of the Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly, where Ansel Adams took a photo of my mother Rose Henry holding my brother Ben Henry in a cradle board in 1942 (top). The Bottom photo is 50 years later at the very same spot at the bottom of White House Trail” And then “Hozhoodoo – In beauty and in harmony” Teds, website.
Here’s the Ansel Adams image
“Navajo Woman and Infant, Canyon de Chelle, Arizona.”
[Canyon de Chelly National Monument], 1933 – 1942.
White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. When returning from a prolific image making trip, I like to wait some time before reviewing the photos. I like the feelings, sights, sounds and scents from the locations visited to sink in, to take hold. The image, often times upon review, will reflect those feelings back to me. I think that is the reason I can remember almost every picture I’ve made.
Tomorrow I will post another image from Canyon de Chelly with a tender story, that will commit this place to my memory forever. As always, thanks for looking. G
Fajada Butte landing zone Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Playing with the shadows on the picnic table under the ramada, a welcome respite from the hot sun. I put the iPhone 7 down and saw this little view on the LCD. and snapped a couple of shots. Thanks for looking. G
Red Valley, Arizona and the view to Shiprock, New Mexico. Still visiting images made a week ago around the four corners area. This large panorama consists of eight images. We pulled over immediately when we saw the shadows passing across the landscape. I really like this view of Shiprock. A little different than the view from a few days ago. Thanks for looking. G
Ramada shadows Chaco Culture National Historical Park. I think this would make I nice tapestry weaving design. Thanks for looking. G
Mora Valley Spinning Mill, building façade in Mora NM. Bright colors on a bright day last April. There’s always some element directing attention to the sky. A lot of people marvel at how blue the skies actually are here in the NM. Is there a paint color named New Mexico Blue? Thanks for looking. G
Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo) National Monument, Arizona. “A sandstone spire that rises 750 feet (229 m) from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon.” I know it doesn’t look anything like that high in this image but when I’m standing in it’s shadow and the sun peeps over the tip of the spire and lights me up, it is awesome. If you haven’t visited Canyon de Chelly do it with the folks at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. Ben was our guide and we met up with TJ who demonstrated the use of the ancient Atlatl hunting weapon. Thanks for looking. G
