Year's End

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. - Hal Borland

Happy New Year from Santa Fe, NM

Faralito or Luminaria

From Wikipedia "The name of the decoration is the subject of a long-running dispute in New Mexico. In general, farolito is the preferred term in Santa Fe and other parts of northern New Mexico, while the decorations are often referred to as luminarias elsewhere. In Spanish, the word farolito translates as "little lantern", while luminaria means "festival light". Historically luminaria referred not to a paper lantern but to a small festival or vigil bonfire; however, this distinction is not commonly made outside of northern New Mexico.New Mexico traditionalists insist that the entire rest of the world is incorrect in the use of luminaria to mean a paper lantern. Farolitos may be referred to as "luminarias" by some, but on Christmas Eve, when the farolitos are lit in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, luminarias (Posada vigil fires) are burning in the small mountain villages of Northern New Mexico. Luminaria bonfires made of square, stacked piñon and juniper wood can often can be seen lining the State highway north of Santa Fe where the highway passes through Espanola. In the mountain villages and by the roadways, families tend and gather around the warm fires and welcome passerby. The distinction still stands in practice, even if the nomenclature is become confused.

Faralitos Close up.

This could be next years Holiday card!

Winter Solstice Labyrinth

Night time photography is not something I am very good at but I could not resist this shot.

Drumming Circle

Welcoming Winter with the sounds of the drums.

Winter Solstice Sky

The evening of the Winter Solstice produced this beautiful sky. I caught this as I was entering the Winter's Solstice Festival at our local Children's Museum.

Glow VI

Happy Holidays from Santa Fe, New Mexico

Glow III

I loved these light sculpture. It was really cold out so I didn't spend too much time trying to figure out what they were made of.

Glow II

One of the sculptures at the Botanical Gardens. I over hear a woman say that these were created by students at the Institute of American Indian College.

Glow

A small arroyo that was lit for the Holiday Glow at the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens.

Santa Fe Sunset

Last nights sunset from the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. I was there for their Holiday Glow event.

Embudo River

This is another spot that I like to visit when I'm in Dixon. The Embudo river always has a nice amount of water running thought it. It's nice to just sit near by and listen to the river.

Dixon Teepee

My trip to the Dixon Studio Tour would not be complete without seeing the teepee that sits at the end of one of my favorite roads.

Sourpuss

I sure hope this wasn't made to resemble a live model. This was on the table next to the ones from yesterday's post.

Mother Mary

Found outside of one of my favorite galleries in Dixon. "R" they must of known I was stopping by.

Lonely Road

There is something so peaceful about a lonely quite road. When in Dixon I always make it a point to walk along this road.

Back to Work.

I came upon this after parking at a friends home and art studio while on the Dixon Studio tour. His son must have been in the midst of a construction project and decided to take a break. It brought back memories of the Tonka trucks that my dad used to by for me.

Shadow

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." - Buddha

Fall on Red

I love this small red bridge that crosses and acequia located in front of an artist studio.

Highway Star

This is another shot that I had to pull off the highway for.

The blue of the sky made for a nice backdrop.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend.

Pop of Gold

This golden tree was standing proud as I drove along the freeway to Dixon. Now who wouldn't stop for this shot.

Orchard Colors

Last month I visited the small town of Dixon for their Art Studio Tour. As always my first stop was at a watercolorist studio that is surrounded by an apple orchard. This was the most colorful spot on the property.

New Eyes

These stair lead up to an art gallery at one end of Canyon Road.

I have to attend a work function tomorrow so I will see you all on Wednesday.

Multi-Color

I found this one morning right outside of my office building. I like those convenient shots, don't you?

Fall Trail

Alone with myself 

The trees bend to caress me

The shade hugs my heart. ~Candy Polgar

A Winter Nights Ride Home

Some evenings you just have to pull out your camera when waiting for a light to change.

Aspen Contrast

This was taken on the Alamos Vista trail one month prior to the previous bare Aspen photos. There is nothing like lying on the ground and letting the leaves fall all over you when the wind carries them down.

Framed

Another shot of the ski basin frame between two aspens, As you can see the the mountain just beyond the trees is covered in bare Aspens.

Long Shadows

When hiking this trail I like getting lost amounst all of these beautiful bare aspens. There is something so peaceful about it. The fact that few people are on the trail helps too.

Alone

There is so much beauty in a tree, whether it be full of leaves or bare. This pine tree sits to the opposite side from where the "Three Sisters" sit. That tuft of snow in the distance is the top of the Santa Fe Ski Basin.

Theme Day: Worker

Theme Day has come again to City Daily Photo and this month's theme is "Worker."

Yes I do agree that manual labor is hard but I think there is no harder working person than the musician playing for tips. This guy can usually be found at our Farmer's Market all season.

To see more "Workers" from around the world click here.

3 Sisters

At least that is what I call these three aspens. These three sit just off of a meadow along the Alamos Vista Trail. 

Words

A picture is worth a thousand words. - Unknown

Ristras

Recently while walking past the convention center I noticed these Red Chile Ristras that they hung. I am guessing it was for the holidays. I think they add a nice touch of color.

Thankful

I am thankful for many things. Most of all I am thankful that I was loved by someone so wonderful. Some people never find that in life and for the time I had I am and always will be forever gratetful. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving for those who celebrate.

Canyon Road Paint Out Finale

The end.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXVIII

Some people can paint with people watching over them, but a statue. It didn't stop this artist.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXVII

A little color to brighten your Monday. I like his style of painting and his use of color.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXVI

Caught this Raven as it flew over the Morning Star Gallery. It was a lucky shot actually I was going for the clouds.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXV

Just a couple of small paintings from the artist I posted yesterday. I promise this series is almost over.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXIV

One of my favorites of this event. What do you think?

Canyon Road Paint Out XXIII

What to choose next? I like how this artist's palette almost echos what the painting looks like.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXII

Three artists work with three different views of what is before them.

Canyon Road Paint Out XXI

Painting in the shadows. It's all about the light I guess. Just like photography but not as easy.

I have a work event this evening so please excuse my absence if I don't visit tonight.

Canyon Road Paint Out XX

Another painting left all alone.  My photo did not do it justice, it really was quite beautiful.

Canyon Road Paint Out XIX

Just one of the many sculptures sitting in front of one the galleries. What do you think of it?

Canyon Road Paint Out XVIII

More live models. I'm sure they were cheap labor but getting them there probably wasn't.

Canyon Road Paint Out XVII

A few of you know that I am fond of squirrels. I could not resist taking a shot of this artist sculpting this little squirrel with an acorn. The piece is actually going to be added to a much larger piece.

Happy Friday everyone!

Canyon Road Paint Out XVI

I thought I would capture another form of artwork while on the paint out. The building that the two women are walking in front of is a restaurant, Geronimo. No I haven't been, it's a little out of my price range.

Canyon Road Paint Out XV

Another painting left unattended. The house in this painting is one of the most photographed and painted house in Santa Fe especially when the garden is in full bloom.