The Pilar Studio Tour

Billed as the Jewel Box of art tours along the banks of the Rio Grande, the Pilar Studio Tour was decidedly small in attendance but emphatically large on talent. It was my first time visiting the town of Pilar, New Mexico. I should have known to slow down as I got closer because I blew right past this small town and ended up in Taos! After a few phone calls to the studio artists, I headed back reducing my speed through the horseshoe turn on Highway 68 and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon wandering from studio to studio. 

This year marked the 15th annual Pilar Studio Tour which included artisans Meredith Garcia, Bruce Gourley, PattyMara Gourley, Carl Gray Whitkop, Kit Lynch, Patric Carter, Stephen Kilborn, Anita Bauer, Arthur Gledhill, Leslie McNamara, Sheena Cameron, Laura Ramnarace and Sunita Smith. Three artists in particular resonated with me. Kit Lynch, an international artist known as the “painter of unleashed, untamed nature,” Patric Carter, an explorative photographer, known as the “Image Alchemist,” and Sunita Smith, a mystical, spiritual painter of wood, canvas and blocks.

Kit Lynch’s paintings reflect the movement of water, wind, clouds, leaves, branches, churches and adobes that implies unity and interdependence. Her paintings of wild waterfalls and dark skies hold the promise of a storm coming on the high wind. Lynch’s paintings are big, often seen as diptychs and triptychs. Patric Carter can take an image of a sunset or an adobe wall and transform it into a world of chaos, colors and rhythmic illusion. His work is known for its “phenomenal sense of expansive healing energy.” However, it was the work of Sunita Smith that captured my heart. Her beautiful, soothing paintings calm me after a full day of driving and walking. Smith’s Lotus block, with its translucent hues of blue and orange radiates both energy and peace. Her artisan faire and market was enhanced by the soundscape music, “Enchanted Lands,” provided by her brother John Patrick Funk.

As a side bar to my review, Pilar (formerly Cieneguilla) is a small unincorporated town of just over 10,000 people located in Taos County. It is located on the Rio Grande. The name Pilar comes from the Spanish word “cienaga” which means marsh or marshy place. The swampy ground is caused by several streams running across a small flood plain formed by a bend in the Rio Grande. For more information about the Pilar Studio Tour visit pilarstudiotour.org or call (575) 758-0135.

Girls Art Night Out

The sky was filled with dark, ominous clouds as I headed into Albuquerque toward Old Town. The downpour of rain and traffic couldn’t keep me away from attending the Girls Art Night Out show at Bright Rain Gallery this past Friday evening. Carolyn Carroll, the owner, had dressed the gallery with a clothesline to display the “Fancy Pants” designed by Anna Goodridge, complimented by a gorgeous display of Geri Verbal’s tribal and ethnic jewelry and Sonya Coppo’s one-of-kind canvas handbags.

Geri Verble, a Placitas, New Mexico jewelry design artist, developed a passion for collecting ethnic beads and pendants while traveling with the Peace Corps. Bead collecting not only became a passion for her, but a journey into learning about the history of beads. Having majored in Theatre Arts in college, Verble’s focus was in Stagecraft Design. This sense of design has influenced her work in creating one of a kind, exceptional designs. Verble says, “The design of each piece is a contemplative process. Each ancient bead and ethnic ornament tells a story and has a spiritual energy that flows through each piece. I carefully consider color, selection, position and arrangement in the overall design. I have found that there is energy in metal that is in harmony with the earth. My goal is to create unique handcrafted beads and pendants to add to the design of my pieces.”

Sonya Coppo is a versatile artist who has created many types of art since childhood. As part of her interior design practice, Coppo has designed and painted custom furniture, wall murals, canvas floorcloths and table runners for her clients. After moving to Placitas, Coppo began creating interpretations of the Plains Indians Parfleche envelopes as well as handbags. Coppo designs and paints with acrylics and inks on heavy weight canvas reflecting the colors, culture and spirit of the Southwest.

Anna Goodridge, also a Placitas artist, spent her career as an elementary art teacher. The designs, colors, and shapes she uses are the result of her work with children and remembering what appealed to them. Recently her journey has taken her to painting with acrylic paint on gently used denims. Goodridge likes the idea of finding gently used denim that have lost its usefulness to one person then creating wearable art for another person to enjoy. This art show is not just for girlfriends to enjoy; husbands, boyfriends and children alike will find something eye catching in the gallery, too.

The Girls Art Night Out exhibition will hang through September 30th at Bright Rain Gallery located in Old Town’s Patio Market, 206 1/2 San Felipe NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 843-9176, www.brightraingallery.com

Gordon Vanus & Melba Bushmire

Last Saturday, I attended the opening reception for Gordon Vanus and Melba Bushmire at The Watermelon Gallery located in the East Mountains. This beautiful gallery was packed with friends and art enthusiasts excited to see the floor to ceiling art collection, featuring the photography of Gordon Vanus and the paintings of Melba Bushmire. There’s always a certain happiness that I feel witnessing a good turnout for a local art show.

Gordon Ray Vanus’ fine art photography career began later in life after his lengthy business management career. At the age of 10, using his parents’ old box camera, Vanus photographed miniature model cars and 12 blurry images later he was hooked. Learning the mechanics and the art of photography during high school, Vanus’ interest continued through military service, college, and the start of a family. Even though there was little budget for equipment, Vanus’ eye for color and composition continued to develop. In 1998, he transitioned from film to digital which has allowed him to keep the spirit and intent of photography pure while enjoying the creative flexibility of technology.

Vanus’ main photographic theme is nature, then architecture and Americana. His desire is to witness the beauty and awe of untouched landscapes and subjects wherever he travels in the United States. Vanus’ expertise is “capturing macro images of butterflies, telephotos of birds or wide angle landscapes.” Through his photography, Vanus hopes to draw others into the beauty and experience of the great outdoors.

Equally humble in her talent, Melba Bushmire was encouraged by her husband to pursue her painting hobby more seriously. Bushmire enjoys painting arroyos, meadows, horses, ceramic pots and white water. Twenty years later, Bushmire is now an accomplished artist with a large stable of exquisite paintings. 

Gordon Vanus and Melba Bushmire fine art can be viewed at The Watermelon Gallery, 12220 N. Highway 14, Suite B, Cedar Crest, NM, 505.286.2164, www.thewatermelongallery.com