"La Morada de Taos"

This is a painting of one of many structures in Northern New Mexico which are known for places of worship that were used by an enclave of the Catholic Church known as the Hermanos Penitentes. The Penitentes are a society of individuals who, to atone for their sins, practice penances which consist principally of flagellation, carrying heavy crosses, binding the body to a cross and tying the limbs to hinder the circulation of blood.  These practices have prevailed in New Mexico since the beginning of the nineteenth century.  Up to the year 1890, they were public; at present they are secret, hence there are no windows on these buildings so that these practices may be completely private.

La Morada is located on the edge of the Taos Pueblo land, not far from the home of the Infamous Mabel Dodge Lujan , a wealthy heiress who moved to Taos in 1919 and married a Pueblo Indian named Tony Lujan. She had a very tumultuous relationship with D. H. Lawrence whom she invited out here to start a literary colony.  I have ridden all of the Taos hillsides, making my own maps (of places that were accessible to horse-back riding).  At the far end of the courtyard to her house there is a gate that a horse can just barely squeeze through.  Once out in the desert I would have that sense of being truly alone in a historic area and would feel myself go back in time.  It was truly a remarkable experience.

I chose to paint this historic site in the winter time when I could introduce a lot of ultramarine (a very cool blue shade) into the snow shadows and contrast them with the complementary colors of the adobe.  You can feel the cold, as though you are standing there on the grounds with virtually no footprints around, except for the tracks of an occasional mountain lion or jack rabbit.  It is no wonder that New Mexico is referred to as "the land of enchantment" because of its outward appearance, but every time I look at this peaceful structure I am always reminded of the bloodshed and mayhem that takes place inside its walls.

"La Morada de Taos"        (12" X 20")        Oil on Canvas                     $950.00