Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Northern New Mexico

In the Aspens, Fall In New Mexico. 10-01-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, in the aspens. It’s leaf-peeping time in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. I hope you’re able to get out there. I’ll have six days on the road with wonderful friends and great clients.

I did some intentional camera movement (ICM) in the first few shots. I’ve done it before, no two pictures are alike.

All were shot around Hopewell Lake along Highway 64 in NM.

Intentional camera movement-ICM
Intentional camera movement at Hopewell Lake, NM

Intentional camera movement-ICM
“The woods are lovely dark and deep…”

Intentional camera movement-ICM
… and very colorful.

A favorite spot.

Aspens and cloud Cumbres Pass, Colorado
Aspens and Cloud, Cumbres Pass, Colorado.

As always, thanks for looking. I hope it’s a beautiful Fall/Autumn where you are. G

Ute Mountain, Taos Mountain, Mountain Biking. 09-25-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande in the Wild and Scenic Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Taos Mountain is preparing for winter and mountain biking in the Taos Ski Valley.

I love it when we visit this location, I feel sure you know it, and the shadows from the fast-moving clouds pass over the landscape creating numerous composition possibilities. I hope my clients get some images they want to share.

Ute Mountain Rio Grande Wild Rivers
Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande.

This picture of Taos Mountain has been popping up recently. One of these days I’ll print one for myself and hang it on our living room wall. It will warm up the room as we settle into the colder seasons.

Taos Mountain, Pueblo Peak, sunset
Taos Mountain, Pueblo Peak, Sunset.

I watched this guy head down a trail at the terrain park in Taos Ski Valley. I composited nine images to get the shot. It looks like he was out on a Sunday ride, not a mountain biking course. There’s a nice trail to hike nearby.

Mountain biking, Taos Ski Valley

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G

San Luis Valley Homestead. 09-16-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week my favorite abandoned San Luis Valley homestead. I think you know the one!

On a photo tour/workshop last Monday we visited the high country around Hopewell Lake, the Chama and Antonito depots on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, and a few favorite locations in the San Luis Valley.

It rained most of the day but we were tenacious and worked between raindrops. The colors are beginning to turn and are vibrant from the rain under an overcast sky.

San Luis Valley homestead
San Luis Valley homestead.

We worked in this location and I’m looking forward to seeing what my client Larry came up with.

San Luis Valley homestead through the fence.
San Luis Valley homestead through the fence.

Next, I’m heading out on a three-day trip, we’ll see what each day reveals.

I had a great show last weekend. Thanks to all who came out and for all the support, purchases, and many new collectors.

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

Taos Artist Combo 3, Taos Art Shows. 09-11-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week I’m busy printing for two art shows. If you happen to be in Taos please join me at one or both shows, at the Taos Artist Combo 3 this coming weekend September 13-15 at the Stables Art Gallery, and the second at the Sliver Gallery at Taos Lifestyle opening Friday, September 27—more details to follow next week.

Taos Artist Comb 3
Stables Gallery at the TCA
September 13-15, Noon to 5 pm
Artists reception September 13, 5-7 pm

Taos Artist Combo 3 at the Stables Gallery Taos.
Featured Print, “Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood”.

Below are a couple more featured images at the Taos Artist Combo 3 show.

Arroyo Seco Ladder
Arroyo Seco Abstract.
Acoma Pueblo ladder and adobes
Acoma Pueblo ladder shadows.

The Stables Galley is located at 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571.

“Sliver Gallery” is at 815 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571.

I look forward to seeing you at either or both gallery shows.

Taos Artist Combo 3 participating artists.
Taos Artist Combo 3 participating artists.

As always thank you for looking. Have a great week. G

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar. 09-04-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week, New Mexico Treasures 2025 Engagement Calendar. Again, I’m pleased to have my work in this long-running cultural calendar published by the State of New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department and produced by the Museum of New Mexico Press, which reprinted and distributed my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.

You can order your calendar from this link: New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar

This year I’m honored to have the wrap-around cover photo.

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar Cover
New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar.
Mesa cloud from Tres Piedras NM
Mesa cloud from Tres Piedras NM.
Bald eagle, winter on the Rio Grande
Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.
Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge
Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.
Taos Mountain mists clearing storm
Taos Mountain mists and clearing storm.
Taos Mountain mists and clearing storm.
Taos Mountain mists and clearing storm.
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM.
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal
Comanche Point, Fall in the Valle Vidal.

You can purchase a copy of my book here or through the Museum of New Mexico Press.

As always, thank you for looking, your friendship and support. Have a great week. G

Super Blue Moonrise, San Cristobal, NM. 08-21-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week the super blue moonrise over our foothills, not-so-blue but super all the same. Everything but the moon was blue. I liked the whispy cloud that was later obliterated by the bright moon.

Super Blue Moonrise
Super Blue Moonrise, northern New Mexico.

Earlier in the week, one of the largest (Western Tiger) Swallowtail Butterflies I’ve seen, landed on the coneflowers, (Ecahinacea) in the garden. About the size of a dessert plate, he was battered and torn up with bits missing. Here’s one in a more pristine condition.

Swallowtail butterfly
Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.

As always, thanks for looking, and all the kind words of friendship and support. Have a great week. Stay cool if you can. G

September Show, Stables Gallery, Taos. 08-14-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week an upcoming September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3.

Back by popular demand with some familiar names and new artists joining us this year. If you are fortunate enough to be in Taos next month, seeing you at the historic Stables Gallery downtown Taos would be great. The Stables Galley is located at: 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571

September Show, "Taos Artist Combo 3" at the Stables Gallery Taos.
September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3 at the Stables Gallery Taos.

I will be showing many favorite and iconic images with an added inventory of new images created over the last two years. I hope you can make it and I look forward to seeing you there.

Saint Francis church ranchos de Taos
Saint Francis Church white crosses, Ranchos de Taos.

Banana plant droplet
Banana plant droplet.

Buffalo eye
Buffalo (Bison) eye.

Ute mountain Horses
Ute Mountain Horses.

Mountain storm
Mountain Storm.

Early Snow
Early Snow, Taos.

Aspens
Aspens.

Shrine
Shrine.

Powwow Dancer
Powwow Dancer.

I hope you’ll visit, see beautiful art, and maybe add a piece to your collection.

As always, thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Gorge, Summer Gorgeousness. 07-31-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal (Taos), NM. This week the Rio Grande Gorge in its summer finery and gorgeousness.

My hard drives frequently spin as I search for images to print or supply to art directors and clients. This week was no exception. I came up with a few select photos depicting the gorge that divides the plateau between east and west, with views from the rim and canyon, and the expansive vistas that capture the imagination and stir the soul.

If you miss this view below then you are probably asleep and should wake up or you’re driving at night.

Highway 68 and the gorge view
Highway 68 and the Gorge view.

If you prefer to take a detour off the main route you will see the following two locations.

Orilla Verde Rec Area
The Rio Grande in Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

As you ascend a steep dirt road you will encounter this grand view looking south. Remember to engage the parking break.

Gorgeous Sky over the Rio Grande Gorge
Gorgeous Sky.

A short distance on the climb out of the canyon is the Vista Verde Trail. It will take you on a very pleasant hike through lava boulder fields and rocks adorned with indigenous petroglyph art.

Vista Verde Trail
Vista Verde Trail.

… to a bench with an overlook of the Rio Grande.

River View
River view from a nice resting spot.

The west rim trail takes you in a northerly direction on mostly level ground for about 10 miles. You’ll feel the cool breeze as it glances off the canyon walls and catch fabulous 360º sunsets.

West Rim Trail
West Rim Trail.

Driving the 10 miles, if preferred, will bring you to the high bridge where US Highway 64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge.

Walking across the bridge looking to the north or south you’ll get wonderful views of the river. Looking east toward the mountains is pretty nice too!

Summer light on the gorge bridge
Summer light on the gorge bridge. Straight as an arrow to the mountains.

On the same evening from the bridge, this happened.

Lightning sky over the gorge
Lightning over the gorge.

On another occasion a rainbow over the chasm.

Rainbow and storm, over the gorge
Rainbow and storm over the gorge.

There have been many times I’ve traversed the bridge. It shakes a lot especially when semi-trucks cross it hauling full loads of gravel. Don’t let it prevent you from crossing it yourself, but don’t bother with a tripod. I didn’t.

Lastly, one of my favorite and most popular images was taken on a summer evening from the high bridge in 2009. A horizontal crop is on the cover of my book.

Summer Light, on the Rio Grande Gorge
Summer evening from the high bridge.

I hope you enjoyed the mini travelog this week. Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you around these locations.

Last week I made it to the summit of Gold Hill on my two new feet. 9.8 miles round trip and 3263 elevation gain to 12703′ at the summit. My knees were complaining but I wasn’t. We’ll do Wheeler Peak the highest point in NM (13163′) in a couple of weeks for something a little easier.

Gold Hill Summit

As always, thank you for looking. I hope you have a good week. G

High Road To Taos, Black And White. 07-24-2024.

Greetings from San Cristobal (Taos), NM. This week on the High Road to Taos in black and white.

This week I had the pleasure of taking my friend Larry on a photo tour on the High Road. Conditions proved to be very conducive for black and white photography. Larry was using a Canon R5 with a 24-105mm lens and I used my Sony a6400 with an 18-135mm lens along with my iPhone.

Larry got some great pictures while I enjoyed a day out in his company, sharing new locations he hadn’t seen on previous trips. He also added a Pygmy Nuthatch to his “life list” of birds, which we spotted in Amole Canyon.

Las Trampas on the high road to Taos
Church at Las Trampas on the High Road to Taos.

The light in northern New Mexico is outstanding and ominous at times.

Shrine near Vadito
Shrine near Placitas.
Placitas chapel belfry
Chapel belfry, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Placitas.

Below is the church in Llano de San Juan. It has one of the nicest belfries around, with the big bell exposed and not cloistered behind chicken wire or lattice to keep the pigeons out.

church belfry clouds llano de san juan 1985
Church belfry in Llano de San Juan, NM.
Grave marker in Las Trampas
Grave marker in Las Trampas, photographed by Ansel Adams in the 1940s.

Sadly, the house across the plaza from the church caught fire a few years ago. I shot it anyway.

Burnt out house in Las Trampas
Burnt house in Las Trampas.

And the hippie bus with a tree growing from its nose.

Om Shanty bus
“Om Shanti” bus near Truchas, NM.

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

Storms Bringing Fabulous Rain. 07-17-24.

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week storms brought fabulous rain to our neck of the woods. The southern end of our rocky mountains looked like the first image on several occasions this week.

The monsoons continue. They began earlier this year. Some systems are specific, pouring on one side of the valleys and plateau while missing other areas entirely, I think the picture below indicates that is the case as a storm drops much-needed rain on the mountains and valleys.

Storms over our Taos Mountains
Storms move through the Taos Mountains.

Only two photos this week. I just finished working on the image below from a couple of months ago, taken from my favorite spot on the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge with the river and Ute Mountain. You know the one.

Storms over Ute Mountain with the Rio Grande, NM
Ute Mountain with the Rio Grande, NM.

As always, thank you for looking and all the wonderful comments and compliments. Have a great week. G