Painting the Land of Enchantment

 

I paint New Mexico because I am a New Mexico Native. I paint New Mexico because I grew up hearing the stories my forefathers told of knowing persons such as Pancho Villa and Pat Garrett. I paint New Mexico because Native Americans from the local pueblo taught me to ride bareback when I was visiting my grandmother’s ranch. I paint New Mexico because I went to their pueblo to see their ceremonies and festivals. I paint New Mexico because I remember the road trips to Santa Fe on unpaved, dusty roads with no places to stop unless you wanted to step out into the sagebrush. I paint New Mexico because of the traditions I learned growing up and, of course because of the red and green chili. I was never able to return to the State until I retired from my chosen career, but now I am back. Hopefully, I can share those emotions with the paintings I create.