"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

"Morning at Hendry's Beach"

This is one of my favorite beaches in Santa Barbara.  It is never too crowded, dog friendly, and there is a great restaurant in the parking lot.  Located on the edge of Hope Ranch, an area rich in history, you can take a long walk and be completely alone in no time at all.  This painting was made in the early morning.  The light is blinding as it is refracted off the particles of mist, but as the mist begins to lift, the cliff, which is teeming with wildlife will take your breath away.

In order to execute this painting I had to place myself on the sand and the sea was rather choppy that morning. When the sea is choppy there will always be a steady wind and more often than not your painting will end up face down in the sand or at least will pick up a few particles. All of this, of course, is an occupational hazzard for the pleine air artist.

In order to achieve the effect of distance and atmosphere change, I used a white turpentine wash on the most distant part of the cliff.  For the sky I began by using Ultramarine blue at the top, working with a hatch work stroke into a cobalt blue and then into cerulean and violet for the horizon.


"Morning at Hendry's Beach"     (20" X 24")      Oil in Canvas                  $1,900.00