Early Santa Fe & Taos artists
In advance of his upcoming exhibition, we spoke with acclaimed painter Chris Morel, who graciously gives us insights into his creative process, early years, and the philosophies that have driven his successful career.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with acclaimed sculptor, Ed Smida, whose work will be featured in the upcoming two-man exhibition, A Lifetime of Learning: Two Artistic Journeys. In this interview, the artist gives us a glimpse into his process, inspirations, and more.
Read MoreLearn some of the stories and secrets behind one of Santa Fe’s most illustrious and intriguing art galleries. Meet the owners and see how they turned a gallery into a true Southwestern landmark for buying and selling fine art.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with multimedia artist and sculptor JK Inson. He graciously gives us background into his life and decades of creating so we can appreciate his pieces in a deeper way.
Read MoreOne thing the Gallery is known for is its vast collection of bronzes, which includes works of all sizes and styles. What these sculptures all have in common, however, is a single, frequently-asked question: “How are bronzes made?”
Read MoreThe air is getting crisp and the leaves are changing color – sure signs that autumn is on its way. Get excited with us for all things fall with these stunning pieces available at the Gallery, which truly convey the colors and coziness of the season.
Read MoreAfter a life-changing injury that stole his sight, a young artist still dreamt of being a sculptor. What happened next is a testament to the creativity and tenacity of the human spirit. This is Michael Naranjo’s story.
Read MoreLearn more about the art of portraiture, some of the masterful artists at the Gallery, and see which piece connects with you in this week’s blog.
Read MoreThe Gallery is home to works by artists from diverse backgrounds, from early Taos painters and Native potters to figurative sculptors and artists of the Transcendental Movement. Just to name a few. Today we’re highlighting a few of the preeminent female master artists in the Gallery and their contributions to the art world.
Mardie Rees is a prominent figure in the world of sculpture. At just 43, she has one of her pieces permanently on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. Her works are quickly recognizable for their emotion and texture, and feature everything from moments in motherhood to military scenes. This fanciful piece shows two real-life sisters, Charlotte and Vivian, capturing crickets and is inspired by the short story, “The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket” by Yasunari Kawabata.
Born in the UK, Dorothy Brett was schooled alongside many famed intellectuals and artists of the day. When renowned writer D.H. Lawrence invited her to move to Taos, Dorothy took him up on the offer and never looked back. Eventually she became a leading figure in Taos, known for her social life as much as her art, which largely featured ceremonies and traditions of the local Pueblo Indians.
This 1966 piece depicts a protective circle of wagon trains illuminated from within, setting up camp for the night. In the background, one can see the mountains of Taos, an enduring symbol of her adopted home.
An artist with a keen sense of her own style and eye for detail, Henriette Wyeth hailed from a famous American art family. Daughter of N.C. Wyeth, sister of Andrew Wyeth and eventually wife of New Mexican artist, Peter Hurd, Henriette was raised in the art world and would make her own mark on it with stunning portraits and florals. This piece features quintessential Henriette Wyeth elements, such as the soft background and wildflowers.
Known for expressive portraits focusing on peoples of the Southwest, Anna Katharine Skeele enjoyed a highly successful career. She was schooled at Olivet College, Pomona College, the California School of Fine Arts, the Académies Julian and Grand Chaumière in Paris, and finally the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. Anna was as talented as she was educated, teaching art in her later career, winning awards and exhibiting in shows until her death in 1963.
Born in Oakland but forever known for her time in New Mexico, Gene Kloss never stepped foot in this state until her honeymoon in 1920. That marked a monumental shift in Gene’s life and career, inspiring her and her husband, poet Phillip Kloss, to eventually settle in Taos. Gene is famous for her dramatic black-and-white prints depicting the landscape and Native cultures she observed. This etching shows an impressive vista overlooking the foothills near the Rio Grande in Gene’s characteristic style.
An Oklahoma native, Laura Robb was first schooled at the Art Student’s Academy in Tulsa. She later studied in New York City under Michael Aviano. Over the course of her career, Laura has perfected her trademark style of vivid florals with effortless brush strokes. Laura is a true master painter, using both soft blending and sharp strokes of color (often with a palette knife) to pull one’s focus to select flowers.
Texas-born sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, nearly became an illustrator for medical textbooks. She shied away from 3D work after a sculpting instructor’s harsh criticism and advice that she quit the medium. But after encouragement from Gallerist Forrest Fenn in Santa Fe, Glenna tried again – creating her first model of her daughter, Jill. Fenn forged the first edition in 1969 and the rest is history. Today, Glenna is known as one of America’s most prolific modern sculptors, with achievements such as the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, and the bas-relief of the Sacagawea dollar.
Daughter of famed Santa Clara artist, Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin (Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh, meaning Little Standing Spruce) grew up inspired by her Native culture and, of course, her own mother. Instead of parroting their styles, however, she developed her own, using traditional symbols in tandem with geometric patterns and modern color palettes. In this incredible piece above, Helen’s artistic voice remains clear and distinct even all these decades later.
"Painting was not considered women's work in my time. A woman was supposed to be just a woman, like a housewife and a mother and chief cook. Those were things I wasn't interested in." -Pablita Velarde, 1979
A native of New Mexico, Pablita was one of the first women to attend the Santa Fe Studio School. She was trained in Dunn “flatstyle” painting, which Pablita described as “memory paintings”—works that preserved ways of life that were disappearing. She continued to work with these motifs throughout her career. Known for making her own paints, grinding rocks and minerals to achieve the desired colors, Pablita was not only a pioneer of the art world, but an inspiration for generations of artists.
After graduating from the Pratt Institute in 1919, Barbara Latham worked for a publishing company creating prints for Christmas cards. In 1925, she ventured to Taos, where famed artist, Victor Higgins, introduced her to future husband, artist Howard Cook. Both enjoyed artistic experimentation, working in a variety of mediums and styles throughout their careers. Known for depicting the peoples and traditions of the Southwest in both paintings and prints, Barbara was an influential force in American art. Today, her works are historically valued and sought after by museums across the country.
These pieces and many others are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For any questions, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call (505) 982-4631.
The first signs of springtime are upon us in Santa Fe after a long winter. The gallery’s sculpture garden is waking up, turning green, and boosting our spirits along with it.
As the world begins to bloom, there are many pieces in the gallery that remind us of the beauty and excitement spring inevitably brings.
Doug Hyde (b. 1946) -“Spring Arrival” #7/50, bronze, 10 ½ x 5 ½ x 7 ¾”
Known primarily for his works depicting his Native cultural traditions in stone and bronze, Doug Hyde is an artist of broad talents. This bronze rabbit is a highly unique work in the artist’s oeuvre, featuring a unique patina that gives it the appearance of polished stone.
Walt Gonske (b. 1942) -“Iris Spring”, 2004, oil, 36 x 34”
Walt Gonske’s landscapes are often found in remote locations via his mobile studio, dubbed the “paint-mobile”. However, the inspiration for this colorful piece was found in his very own garden, bursting with fresh blooms. It’s no wonder this painting commands such attention with its bold brushstrokes and colors.
JK Inson (b. 1946) - “White Pelican Day”, white marble, 8 ½ x 6 x 7”
Inson is an artist who is prolific in a variety of media from stone carving to oil painting. Carved in his home studio, this solid marble piece features a lily coming into full bloom amidst a bundle of buds. The overall effect of the white marble and the smooth transitions between its elements is purely stunning.
Martin Mooney (b. 1960) -“Daffodils”, 2015, oil/panel, 24 x 20”
Born in Belfast, Ireland, Martin Mooney is an accomplished oil painter who achieves a texture to his paintings that catches the eye immediately. His floral still lifes, often featuring inventive use of a palette knife, nearly jump off the wall with bright colors and mind-boggling smoothness that draws viewers in.
Dan Ostermilller (b. 1956) -“Study For a Friend Indeed”, 1985, #13/30, bronze, 12 x 17 x 9”
President of the National Sculpture Society since 2012 and master sculptor of animals, Dan Ostermiller is a force in the art community. While he works often in monument-size bronze, the gallery is fortunate to have many of his smaller studies, including this pair of nuzzling rabbits. This set of friends is a lovely example of Ostermiller’s work and certainly reminds us that Easter is nearly upon us.
Jill Soukup (b. 1969) - “Spring Scruff”, oil on board, 34 x 16”
Since childhood, Jill Soukup has had a passion for horses and has been drawing them about as long. This foundation in drawing them led to a lifelong pursuit of art, particularly with horses and ranch life as her subject matter. This unique piece shows us a newborn foal, still scruffy and lean, but filled with life and personality. A beautiful reminder of the many miracles this season brings.
Cynthia Inson (b. 1948) -“The Stories They Could Tell”, 2023, oil on board, 14 x 11”
Accomplished plein air and still life painter, Cynthia Inson, resides alongside her husband and fellow artist, JK Inson. This vibrant piece is an example of her enduring interest in floral subjects with strong colors and composition. The crystal goblet in particular yields fascinating reflections and light, easily drawing in the viewer.
These works and many others are currently available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For any questions about the art, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call us at (505) 982-4631.
BREAKING—Three pieces by David A. Leffel have landed in the gallery and we’re utterly in awe. With a reputation that precedes him, Leffel’s work is always an honor to have come through our door.
David A. Leffel is an accomplished artist and instructor with over sixty years as a working painter. Trained in the schools of the 17th-Century Dutch and Flemish masters, namely Vermeer and Rembrandt, Leffel gradually became synonymous with this era and style of painting. His chiaroscuro technique, developed whilst enrolled at the Art Students League in New York City, led to him being frequently called “a 20th-Century old master.”
These three latest paintings all have the quintessential qualities that define Leffel’s body of work. With soft light and dark shadows, defined focal points and textural detail, these are classic works by the artist.
Set in front of a dark, rustic background, a ceramic gleams in a noticeable spotlight. Everyday objects like blueberries and clementines strewn about take on a new poignance in this fascinating piece.
This haunting portrait showcases Leffel’s long study of Rembrandt and his own portraiture. With one eye closer to the viewer and the other less in focus, this work offers amazing depth and provides an obvious focal point. It leaves you wondering just what she is thinking.
Large and commanding in its presentation, this still life is a prime example of Leffel’s mastery of light and shadow. With light filtering in through a skylight, seemingly random objects take on meaning and mystique the way they are composed from background to foreground.
Add a masterpiece to your collection from one of the finest painters still working today. All three and more Leffel originals are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, NM.
For questions or purchasing information, please email inquiry@matteucci.com
Source: https://www.askart.com/artist/David_A_Leffel/20847/David_A_Leffel.aspx
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