Plein air impressionistic masterpieces from a California native son Southwest Art once described Ray Roberts as a native son of California. This may be the most fitting description of Ray, both his life and his art have always gravitated toward California. He was born and raised along the coast of Southern California. His love for […]
Ray Roberts paintings Read Post »
Learn about Terri Moyers, the 2004 Tucson Museum of Art Artist of the Year It is sometimes amazing that lives that begin so differently can end up on the same path. Not only did the lives of Terri Kelly Moyers and John Moyers begin a country apart, but they also grew up in two different
Terri Kelly Moyers paintings Read Post »
Francis Livingston and Dennis Ziemienski explore the golden age of Western tourism from Fred Harvey to Route 66 and everything in between There was a brief time in history when tourists in the Southwest had several exciting travel choices. They could glide through the desert landscape on the Santa Fe Railway’s Super Chief, dining at
Francis Livingston and Dennis Ziemienski paintings Read Post »
Sophisticated artwork using an age-old technique The process begins in the studio where the artist skillfully creates an original design, usually in modeling clay. The completed clay sculpture is then brought to the foundry where a latex or fiberglass mold is created around it. After the mold dries the clay is removed, leaving an exact
The art of lost wax casting Read Post »
Shonto Begay’s Paintings Tell Stories of Contemporary Native American Life Shonto Begay stood in a far corner of the room, quietly watching as collectors inspected his work during the first few minutes of his exhibition opening at Medicine Man Gallery. His expression was impassive, but his eyes sharp and bright. He took it all in
Shonto Begay, Native American painter Read Post »
Learn about the most renowned pueblo potter Few craft artists can claim the worldwide honor and fame bestowed upon Maria Martinez during her lifetime. This modest, traditional, Pueblo woman received honorary degrees from major universities, countless medals and citations from governments and institutions, and special invitations to the White House from four different Presidents. She
Maria Martinez, potter of San Ildefonso Read Post »
What you need to know about these highly collectible textiles Are you attracted to the beauty and craftsmanship of Navajo rugs but confused by all the terminology being thrown around in the galleries? Here’s a brief history of Navajo weaving that will help you sort out the most common terms, and give you a head
Quick guide to Navajo Rugs Read Post »
Learn about these iconic Navajo weavings Navajo chiefs blankets are the most recognizable and valuable of all Navajo weavings. They have been collected not only by other Native Americans before the United States even existed, but also by such notable collectors as William Randolph Hearst. A chiefs blanket could be purchased for around fifty dollars
Navajo Chief’s blankets Read Post »
Not all Maria Martinez pottery is black-on-black When you hear the name Maria Martinez, one automatically envisions the wonderful black on black pottery for which she and her husband Julian became famous. For the serious Maria collector however, the rarest and most desirable of all Maria’s work are her polychrome pots. The term polychrome refers
Maria and Julian Martinez polychrome pottery Read Post »
Learn about the exquisite pottery of this Northern New Mexico pueblo The ancestors of the modern Santa Clara Pueblo people first carved cave-like dwellings in the soft volcanic tufa cliffs-the Puye Cliff Dwellings in Santa Clara Canyon. Later, they built adobe structures on the slopes and top of the mesa, surrounded by spectacular views of
Learn about Santa Clara Pueblo Read Post »