THE SUMMER OF ’24

“Keep aware of your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”         Max Ehrmann 

Life along the Rio Grande is altogether good these days. Like the big river the days flow by in nature’s grand design. Lately I find myself drawn back to an artform I practiced during my early years in Northern New Mexico. When I came to Taos in 2007 I was immersed in the art of Pictorial photography. This begs the question; what is Pictorial photography? 

Photography was an invention of the early 19th Century and was used mainly for producing scientific and technical documents. In time Pictorialism emerged as a creative movement that advanced the status of the photograph as a true art form having the substance of paintings and sculpture.

Pictorialist photographers approached cameras and printing devices as tools that like the paintbrush or chisel could be used to create works of fine art. First and foremost, their photographs placed beauty of subject matter, tonality and composition above creating an accurate visual record.

Pictorialist photograph of August Rodin in his studio with “The Thinker”.

Photography has been a long journey for me. I bought my first 35mm camera more than fifty years ago in Beirut, Lebanon. Traveling through west Asia by rugged and frugal means I stayed for a time at a youth hostel near the American University of Beirut. There an Australian traveler told me I could sell a pint of my blood for $20 dollars at a local Red Cross clinic. In today’s money that would be around $200. Also I learned there were duty free camera stores in the city where bargains could be found. I had seen much in my travels and had wished to begin a visual diary of the many places through which I passed. With money received for my blood I bought a good quality 35mm camera with a built-in light meter. Thus began my career as a worker at the art of photography. 

All these years later New Mexico captured my imagination with qualities of stunning vistas, ancient and modern cultures and something else that defies explanation. People call this land the Land of Enchantment for good reasons.

During my first year in Taos I put together a portfolio of local imagery and began showing it at local galleries. Soon I was invited to join a prestigious Gallery and right away my prints began selling. A year later I opened my own Gallery and for a time did well with it. Eventually the so-called great recession caught up to the Taos art market and I had to close my shop.

Thus began my period as a sidewalk artist. Those became some of the happiest days of my life. With a constant passing parade of visitors from all over the world, some days were good for selling prints and everyday was good for conversation. This too came to pass.

After many wandering years I’ve settled back in northern New Mexico and have recently returned to the sidewalk artist trade. On weekends I travel up to the world famous Taos Gorge where I set up my easels, offering a collection of recent works to yet another passing parade of visitors. Once again everyday is good for conversation. And every time I set up there I sell a few prints. Each transaction is a 10 minute love affair with patrons whom I’ll likely never meet again. The other artists and artisans who are my neighbors are all supportive of each other, not unlike a medieval trade guild.  

When I was starting out in the art game an old Hollywood Art Director said to me, “The nice thing about a career in the arts is that with each passing year you always become better at what you do.” I would add, “So far, so good.”