Route 66 Day 10 October 31, 2019

The day started with me waking up naturally by the light of the rising  sun. I felt refreshed and relaxed. Such a luxury!! I was surrounded by simplicity and elegance in the room Laurence and Celia had given me to sleep in.   

 

I loved the colour scheme                      Under the little table was a basket full 

                                                               of rocks collected from different destinations.

Laurence very kindly cooked us all bacon and eggs for breakfast. It was accompanied with orange juice, a delicious probiotic drink and a few of his fabulous cups of teas. Now we were feeling refreshed and energetic, and as if he hadn't already done enough for us, Laurence guided us to a service station so we could refuel the car,  bought us an invigorating cup of coffee at McDonalds, and then led us out onto the Interstate Highway so we could drive back to Santa Fe with as little fuss as possible (not like the night before!!)

It only took an hour to get back to the hotel, where Jenny and I just wanted to have a very quiet day - because we could!

After doing a bit of writing, I took a wander around the halls of the hotel, and here are a few of the artworks that caught my attention:

     

Dramatic water and acrylic paintings of Native Americans.

I learnt about the man referred to by many as La Fonda's "resident artist". Ernesto Martinez who completed a number of art projects ranging from design and production of custom tinwork (including mirrors, light fixtures and other furnishings) to commissioned paintings and murals, artwork restoration, and numerous other projects during his 56 year tenure at the hotel. Ernesto's hand painted glass panes (see below) in La Plazuela have become recognised as a hallmark of the hotel. 

Ernesto Martinez (1932 - )
Monument Valley
Oil on Canvas
This large landscape painting is presented in the signature style of Ernesto. His use of colour and texture bring the beauty of the desert southwest to life. This image of Monument valley in northeastern Arizona depicts a Navajo woman and child in the foreground tending to a flock of sheep amidst red sandstone buttes and spires. 

Storms over the desert

 

                     An original bedhead used in the hotel .   A Navajo weaving

The thing I appreciated was that there was a wide variety of works and they both established and new artists, who were either indigenous or non-indigenous, were given the opportunity to have their work on display. The work below, was done by Jordan Ann Craig, a northern Cheyenne artist based in California. She uses painting, printmaking and collage to create intricate patterns, abstract landscapes, and graphic geometries. 

Jordan Craig (1992 - ), Northern Cheyenne
New Home With Base, 2018
Acrylic on Canvas
In this painting Craig reflects on her experience moving to new places,
her relationship with her mother, and long drives through the New Mexico landscape.

It was interesting reading Jordan's story. She draws inspiration from Indigenous textiles and pottery, Aboriginal (Native American Indian) paintings, and landscape. She tells stories about her childhood, family, trauma, healing and the appealing mundane. Jordan studied studio art and psychology and has worked in California and Europe. After studying at the Indian Arts Research Centre, and becoming intimately acquainted with the designs of their extensive collection, Jordan created a body of work inspired by her favourite pots. She recontextualised the pots' imagery while also giving acknowledgement to the original works of art. In this painting, Jordan reflects on her experience moving to new places, her relationship with her mother, and long drives through the New Mexico landscape.                                 

                                                

    

                              Interesting tiling designs on the floor                                    Beautiful copper pots

     

These works of art were done by Julian Martinez (Pocanao), (1879 - 1943) whose work is shown in many museums around the country. The painting on the left is called Serpent and Bird and was painted using tempera on paper.  The note at the side of the painting told me that Julian Martinez was born at San Tidelforno Pueblo, was self taught and worked as a potter and painter. He captured daily life through Western figurative types against blank backgrounds. Julian was married to Maria who was a preeminent potter. Their son Popovi Da also became a famous potter. Julian and maria were instrumental in reviving the blackware pottery tradition of san Tideloman. They studied traditional pottery patterns with the help of anthropologist Edgar Lee Hewett, and then incorporated them into a revolutionary technique involving matte black and glossy black finishes on the same pottery.

It was a lovely relaxing day. 

Jenny was excited about Halloween in the evening, but in Santa Fe, all the trick or treating was being done in the suburbs, so we did not see or hear any action around the hotel. Consequently we didn't leave our room, and we even succumbed to calling in room service and sharing a Caesar salad and a yummy peach pie, before turning off the lights early and getting a good long sleep.