So much to do in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. So little time! But here’s a bit about how I spent last week.
I kicked off my stay in Albuquerque with a delicious dinner with an old friend at The Artichoke Café. Five stars ***** from me.
Stayed at my friends’ home in Sandia Park, which is northeast of Albuquerque on Highway 14. As I discovered, Highway 14 is the ONLY way one should travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. The natural beauty is breathtaking and you can stop (if you’re not pressed for time as I was) in the cute touristy town of Madrid.
On Wednesday morning I took Highway 14 (the Turquoise Trail) to Santa Fe and was almost late to talk about my book to a group of artists at Jaqueline Butler’s studio. Jackie lives in Lamy on the top of a hill with another breathtaking view. Her studio is impressive and perfect for a small meeting. If it hadn't been for the visit to her studio, I wouldn't have seen any art in Santa Fe. I know. I deserve a good whooping, but sometimes these things just don't work out. Next trip. (That's Jackie's painting Tulip ©The Artist.)
Later the same day, I held an audience of about 15 artists hostage at Artisan art supply store in Santa Fe. This was the first time I have ever done one of my events in a purely retail space. I’ve had them in galleries previously, but it was interesting talking to a group while others were in the store shopping. I guess I’d better get used to this since I do my first Barnes & Noble in Loveland, CO next month. Artisan seems to really take care of their artists and you should stop in when you're in Santa Fe.
Thursday was a full day in Albuquerque and I got to see a lot of art! I had coffee and lunch with marketing consultant Mary Ellen Merrigan, whom I have met virtually, but never before in the flesh. We had fun! And I can recommend The Flyingstar Café (a local coffee chain) and Annapurna ayurvedic restaurant.
Galleries I visited in Albuquerque: 516 Arts (if you're in the area, be sure to go listen to the Guerilla Girls–making an appearance Friday 11/21), Sumner & Dene, Matrix Fine Art, New Grounds Gallery (top drawer prints), Palette Contemporary Art & Craft. I met Jeannie Sellmer at Sumner & Dene and saw her lovely New Mexico landscapes. I was very happy to hear she had been planning to attend the book reception later in the day. So I got to see her twice! (That's Jeannie's Valley Sunset at right ©The Artist.)
LATE ADDITION: I almost forgot one of the most important things. You MUST listen to this album while driving through New Mexico: Afterglow. It's the perfect music for the spiritual qualities of the high desert.
8 thoughts on “When in New Mexico”
OMG, Such vivid memories… highway 14 and Flying Star and Artisan’s. I gave some ABQ friends the heads up you were coming. I hope they showed up at the gatherings. Artisan’s is far more than a retail space. Great info and networking there. I did many paintings along NM 14 in the good old days, still very vivid in my once and future mind’s eye. ABQ has a very distinct art genre, very different from Santa Fe, both terrific. ABQ is fresh and in-your-face. Santa Fe somewhat of that, but a strong core of more trad and nouveau trad, cowboy and contemporary… All good. What a great place to be!
Wish I could have been a fly on the wall to hear all you said and see all you experienced. I have only been out west to that area once, but it thrilled my artist’s soul. Lynne
I had such a fun time while you were here. Thanks for the mention and for posting my pic. You will definitely have to come back and see more of Santa Fe!
Oh I love Highway 14! Well, I just love New Mexico! I miss going down all the time as my husband’s aunt and uncle lived in Santa Fe and cousins in Albuquerque. I think I miss the food too. I noticed that you mentioned it several times….LOL! I checked out the CD and I can just picture how perfect it was with the drive! I will probably be putting it on my wish list. Thanks!
I love the art scenes in New Mexico, especially in Albuquerque. Me thinks it’s time to take a quick road trip. What the hey, I’m not that far after all.
Oh how I’d love to go back there….Spent almost 2 weeks with an artist friend there. Alberquerque, Rt. 14, Madrid for lunch (such a throwback place!), Santa Fe, Chimayo (where we stayed), Taos, Abiquiu (where Georgia O’Keefe lived with the amazing red rocks), Ghost Ranch….what an incredible landscape full of artists, ranchers, pueblos, people of all kinds. Loved it. Glad you got to see as much as you did with such a short time. Bought pastels at that art shop, too! Hopefully you’ll visit again soon.
All: It’s so neat to hear about your experiences with the same places I visited. “Place” does that to people–brings us together. I had some interesting conversations with a couple of the gallery owners. Learned about the market and gallery strategies (or lack thereof).
With all my blah, blah, blah about wanting a new life, New Mexico is calling me. I just have to go check it out to see if the voices in my head are correct. In fact, I had scheduled time off to go to a technology conference in January. I am actually thinking about forgeting the conference and go to Santa Fe instead. I just have to find a new home. Thanks for all the tips. I will put these in my research file. 🙂 Sheree Rensel wizzlewolf.com