Sleightholm Folk Art

One thing about me is for sure- I am a homebody that, ever so often, loves a grand adventure. This past spring I was able to go on a really special trip with my mother and my daughter that I will cherish for years to come! My mom has always wanted to visit Santa Fe, and so we decided that this was the year we’d finally do it- and the three of us boarded a plane and headed for the beautiful New Mexico city nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

I was so inspired by the color, culture and unique landscape surrounding Santa Fe, and came back brimming with the urge to paint in those bold, sunny colors of the desert. This painting, of a young woman I’ve named “Ysabel”, is the fruit of that inspiration, and I’m sure this is only the beginning.

This painting is currently in my Etsy Shop to purchase, and I’ll order prints soon. “This painting “Ysabel” (an old fashioned and very Spanish way to spell “Isabelle”) features colors and a landscape new for me, and I hope you enjoy it. Wouldn’t this be such a lovely garden to sit in? With Our Lady of Guadalupe peeking out from a niche covered in Queen’s Wreath Vine (seems appropriate!) and an old adobe church in the background.

Funnily enough, our first morning in Santa Fe, there was snow on the ground. So much for a warm Spring Break! It was early March and there was a distinct chill in the air when the sun went down. But when the sun came out- the sky was crystal clear and gorgeous, and although the landscape was still wrapped in the starkness of winter, it had a unique warmth of color radiating from it.

One of the many things I loved about Santa Fe was how steeped it is in both its Native American and Catholic culture. There were santos and miligros, icons and little blessed objects around every corner! I particularly love the unique folk art style of New Mexican religious art, and seeing so many beautiful pieces made my heart absolutely ache from the beauty of it.

There were so many interesting little nooks and crannies in Santa Fe, and so many treasures to find. Some more in my price range than others 😉 It was also really special to be there with my Mom and my daughter- who celebrated her 17th birthday there (with a sopapilla stuffed with ice cream and covered in strawberries at Tomasitas!). It was also extremely walkable in the old downtown area, with some amazing old churches (including the oldest church in the US, did you know that was in Santa Fe?!?!) plus places I had only read about in books- like the cathedral built with the vision of the first Archbishop of Santa Fe who inspired Willa Cather’s novel “Death Comes for the Archbishop” and also an intriguing staircase that has inspired legend and books! All those I will share more fully in my next post….but until then, look at all this beauty:

Please stop again soon and I’ll share some more about some of my favorite places we visited in Santa Fe! Hint: They were old 😉 And I was so lucky to be able to visit them with people I love, and make so many memories that will now grow into art! Can’t wait to share it all with you…

til next time,

Take Joy!
H