Santa Fe Spanish Market

Neuvomexicano art, deeply rooted in the Spanish Colonial years of New Mexico of the late 14th century, is impressively showcased at the annual Spanish Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.    Although some of the art work is secular, the religious expression is highly dominate and most often represented by carved bultos (statues of saints), wooden crucifixes, reredoses (altar screens), retablos (paintings), and various tin and metal creations.

Sandy and I attended the impressive annual market this weekend.  The half-gallon micaceous bean cooking pot shown below by Vilis and Brenda from the Dragon Star Studio in El Cerro Mission, New Mexico is one of the items we brought back.     Sandy initiated it on the stove top last night by cooking up a batch of saffron accented white rice.

Wi-Cahpe-Luza

Norman Red Star, “Wi-Cahpe-Luza”, Swift Star of the Souix tribe specializes in decorating traditional Santa Clara pottery with sgraffito etchings. He often adds accents of turquoise. He signs his pieces with distinction as illustrated below: Wi-Cahpe-Luza, Red Star, followed by a shield symbol, and finally with his census number. 

 

Johnson Duboise - Navajo Inlay Artist

This pendant is the type of treasure I love to find.  It gives me a picture opportunity to promote an unknown or scarcely known artist of great merit.   Jewelry aficionados, especially upon knowing that the work is of exclusive Navajo origin, will likely recognize the silver craft design of excellence by Calvin Begay.    Although the back of the piece along with the silver casing is attractive, the real appeal is the micro-inlay of jasper, mother of pearl, lab opal, Acoma jet, and tiny bits of round sterling wire slivers.    The whole pendant measures 1 7/8 inches in length.  The small bale is not roomy enough in its interior dimension for the artist's imprint so it is not a hallmarked work; nonetheless, the collaborative piece is a product of Sunrise Indian Jewelry in Gallup, New Mexico which is, I believe, the crème de la crème of the Native American jewelry manufacturing houses that encourage, train, and bring artists together.    Authentic Native American art is all too often copied and sold as a markedly inferior product, so it is worthwhile to inquire about provenance when considering a purchase.   The pendant above is worth about $500.

Berleen Estevan Acoma Pottery

Berleen Estevan's Grandmother taught her the art of traditional pottery making as a child.   She, like many pottery artisans of the Acoma Pueblo, works with both traditionally hand coiled pots and with greenware.   The ceramic greenware pot illustrated above shows her characteristic elaborate and detailed painting style.

Paul Livingston - Navajo Coin Jewelry

I recently spotted the vintage coin necklace and earring set featured in the poster above in a Santa Fe store and asked to take it for promotion.   Necklaces made from sterling silver and old US coins are now difficult to find, but they are prized by collectors as heritage work of enduring value.

Promoting New Mexico

I have obviously started a new project of designing posters promoting not only artists, but also the Southwest   USA with emphasis on my home state of New Mexico.   A few years ago I was a contributing photographer for the New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs and New Mexico Magazine.  Perhaps, I'll start anew.