Joseph Henry Sharp's Three Taos Indians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I began this blog last night and I almost fell asleep so common sense prevailed and I went to bed.

I think in colors, do you?

The most prevalent colors that come to mind when thinking of our trip yesterday were Turquoise and adobe, if I bring up the color wheel… you can see why they are so compatible.

I love the colors and the way the shadows add the angles in this photo.

Then why does Turquoise make us feel comfortable?

"Turquoise heightens levels of creativity and sensitivity. Turquoise helps to open the lines of communication between the heart and the spoken word. It presents as a friendly and happy color enjoying life."

Is that why there is so much obvious creativity in Taos?

Maybe, but there was a pivotal point In July 1915, E.L. Blumenschein, Bert Phillips, Joseph Henry Sharp, and fellow Taos artists, Oscar E. Berninghaus, E. Irving Couse and W. Herbert "Buck" Dunton, created the Taos Society of Artists.  The society was formed to promote the artists’ work through annually organized traveling exhibitions to several major American cities.  These exhibitions brought considerable attention to both the artist and Taos, resulting in ever greater numbers of artists coming here and wishing to participate in the Society.  The Society which grew to include twenty-one members and associate members was active until March of 1927 when it was officially disbanded.  By that time, Taos had become known as a significant American art colony.

We visited the Blumenschein Home yesterday and it was one of the highlights of the trip.

To walk through this rambling house was like having a visit with the wonderful artists who lived there.

Ernest L. Blumenschein (1874-1960)-'superstition'-oil

White Blanket and Blue Spruce

Take this image painted by Ernest, Turquoise, Adobe rust and just a little orange to highlight.

3 Generations of Artists lived in the house which is now a museum.

The story of how it became a museum is as interesting as the house itself.

Daughter Helen's' bedroom is adorned with delightful pencil drawings of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. I saw the letters she wrote to her daughter for whom she was doing the illustrations… so I could relate to her.

 Helen Blumenschein Work Date 193

We visited the quilt shop which was an absolute delight.

Filled to overflowing with the brightest fabrics imaginable.

Jan, the owner, was very generous in allowing me to photograph and you know, I buy very little fabric, but I was taken by the fabric of local Textile Artist Terrie Mangat

I just had to buy…. XXXXX  (a lot)

Terrie has an established reputation among art quilters as one of the most important embellishers working today. Her complex compositions draw upon the power of pattern, have multiple focal points, are partially realistic and partially abstract and are comprised of a myriad of materials and objects in addition to fabric. Together, these materials enable Mangat to achieve a scale so large that the viewer feels physically encompassed by the stories she tells.

I guess you can see why I liked her fabric.

I need to buy more so I will do a little research.

The shop is really worth a visit and Lisa and I plan to take a Thelma and Louise tour there next year.

Are you with us?

Go look at some of the fabrics in the store on my face book page.

Lunch was at Grahams Grill, a lamb burger and sweet potato fries.!!!! mmmm

Grahams Grill Taos.

Now that's' not all we did, but all I can fit in today… we have to leave… back to Taos to photograph the Pueblo and then to Chimayo….

I want to share Uncommon threads store and a few other amazing places but that will have to wait till tonight.