Happy Little Flowers

This image epitomizes Summer in Santa Fe for me. With all the snow from last winter, coupled with a wet Spring, our wildflowers (and even some “tame” ones) are very happy. Add our beautiful Sangre de Christo Mountains, some clouds, and a sunset, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect Summer evening.

My View

This image is titled “My View” — because it is. My view, out my window and in my yard, and I feel so grateful to wake up each day and see it, where the Rocky Mountains begin. — Kate

Happy Days

“The altitude here in Santa Fe, coupled with the lack of humidity, makes for some pretty amazing light. Colors just pop, especially against the clear blue sky in the background. This graphic image jumped out at me one day while waiting for my lunch at one of the many tasty food trucks here in town.” — Kate

My Chama

“This is one of my favorite places here in New Mexico. Sure, there are other more dramatic vistas, but this one sings to me. It tells me about quiet lives and peace in the valley surrounding this beautiful wild river. Every time I’m here I feel like I could just sit and stay forever. This iconic view is from a scenic pullout literally on the side of the highway between Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. It’s a popular location for photographers as well as painters. There’s even a well know photo of Miss O’Keefe by Todd Webb taken here. She had her camera in hand, taking reference photos for one of the paintings she made of this same magical spot. I bet she wanted to sit and stay here too!”

"Forgotten"

“Here in Santa Fe, there is no shortage of adobe walls and their accompanying doors and gates. I’m especially drawn to the ones that seem a little forgotten or neglected. This is one that was in my neighborhood when I first moved here. I love all the textures and how the green of the wildflowers are echoing the green of the trees above the wall.” — Kate

Color

“New Mexico is full of rich, saturated color. I spotted this beautiful blue wall outside a coffeehouse here in Santa Fe. The wisteria had already bloomed for the year, but provided some nice shade for me to drink my coffee and wonder at the size of that vine! It had such a wonderful natural abstract shape that I hope to capture in a painting some day. It’s not just cactuses and cottonwoods growing around here. Inspiration is everywhere!” — Kate

Cliffs, Ghost Ranch

This iconic scene has been a background cast member of many famous movies, but usually not this close. It was also the subject or background of many O’Keefe paintings, as it is literally in her backyard!

Imagine, seeing Pedernal in the front, and this in the back. No wonder she was so inspired! I never get tired of seeing all these amazing colors and textures. — Kate

Succulent

The symmetry was so perfect, I couldn’t resist trying to capture it!