Ernest L. Blumenschein

Posted on December 17, 2023

Ernest Leonard Blumenschein (1874–1960) was an American artist and a prominent figure in the Taos art colony. He was born on May 26, 1874, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Blumenschein studied at the Art Students League in New York City and later in Paris at the Académie Julian. In 1898, while traveling with artist Bert Geer Phillips in their horse-drawn wagon, they had a fortuitous accident near Taos, New Mexico, when the wagon’s wheel broke. Stranded in Taos, both artists were captivated by the landscape and the local Native American and Hispanic cultures. This event marked the beginning of Blumenschein’s lifelong connection to the region.

Mary and Earnest Blumenschein

Blumenschein became one of the founding members of the Taos Society of Artists in 1915, along with Phillips and other notable artists. The society aimed to promote the work of artists in the Taos area and bring attention to the unique qualities of the Southwestern landscape and its people.

Blumenschein was known for his paintings that captured the spirit of the American Southwest. He excelled in portraying the dramatic landscapes, vibrant colors, and the distinctive quality of light in the region. His work often featured scenes of Native American life, adobe architecture, and the rugged terrain surrounding Taos.

Apart from his contributions as a painter, Blumenschein also played a key role in establishing the Harwood Foundation in Taos, which later became the Harwood Museum of Art. This institution has been crucial in preserving and showcasing the works of the Taos Society of Artists.

Ernest L. Blumenschein’s art is part of numerous museum collections, and his legacy lives on as one of the leading figures in the development of American art in the early 20th century. He continued to paint and exhibit his work throughout his life and received recognition for his contributions to the art world. Blumenschein passed away on June 6, 1960, in Taos, leaving behind a lasting impact on the art community.

Taos Artists

Posted on December 17, 2023
  1. Ernest L. Blumenschein (1874–1960): Co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists, Blumenschein was known for his paintings depicting the landscapes and people of the American Southwest.
  2. Bert Geer Phillips (1868–1956): Another co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists, Phillips was recognized for his landscapes and depictions of Native American life.
  3. Joseph Henry Sharp (1859–1953): A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, Sharp focused on portraying Native American subjects and their way of life.
  4. E. Irving Couse (1866–1936): Couse was a co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists and was known for his paintings of Native American figures in traditional dress.
  5. Walter Ufer (1876–1936): Ufer, also a member of the Taos Society of Artists, painted scenes of daily life in Taos and the surrounding areas.
  6. Victor Higgins (1884–1949): A prominent member of the Taos art community, Higgins painted landscapes, portraits, and scenes of Native American life.
  7. Nicolai Fechin (1881–1955): A Russian émigré, Fechin settled in Taos and became known for his portraits and depictions of the local landscape.
  8. Cady Wells (1904–1954): Wells was a modernist painter associated with the Taos art colony, known for his abstract and stylized depictions of the Southwest.
Casually Racist Photo of Taos Society of Artists

Taos

Posted on December 17, 2023
  1. Artistic Community: Taos has a long history of attracting artists and creatives. The town is famous for the Taos art colony, which was established in the early 20th century. Artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and members of the Taos Society of Artists contributed to the town’s artistic legacy.
  2. Taos Pueblo: One of the most notable attractions in Taos is the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a Native American community with multi-storied adobe buildings, some of which are over 1,000 years old, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.
  3. Outdoor Recreation: The surrounding area offers diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. The Taos Ski Valley is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, and the nearby Carson National Forest provides hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
  4. Cultural Events: Taos hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating art, music, and Native American traditions. The town’s cultural scene is vibrant, with numerous galleries, studios, and museums.
  5. Southwestern Cuisine: The region is known for its distinctive Southwestern cuisine, influenced by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish flavors. Visitors can enjoy a variety of restaurants offering traditional and contemporary dishes.
  6. Historic Plaza: Taos Plaza is a historic district with adobe buildings housing shops, galleries, and restaurants. It serves as a central gathering place and reflects the town’s Spanish colonial heritage.
  7. Community Vibe: Taos has a unique and laid-back atmosphere, attracting a mix of artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a quieter lifestyle. The community is diverse, and the town has a reputation for fostering a sense of individuality and creativity.

Midjourney Codes

Posted on November 2, 2023

4fiOChj69ijH

–style 4fiOChj69ijH

https://tuner.midjourney.com/CyB5smf

hispanic young man wearing a blanket standing in front of a giant agave plant. Painted in an impressionistic and colorful way. –ar 9:16 –style bIUBsxACfr

Taos Plaza 2023

Posted on October 30, 2023

I decided to spend a little time researching the Taos Plaza project. There have been several issues with the plaza to take care of. I am glad that they are doing it.

  • Uneven Brick Work: Near the gazebo there are several areas where the bricks are uneven and sink down a bit.
  • Drainage: There are several problems that seem pretty apparent.
  • Several Levels: The useful area could be expanded by simplifying the level changes across the plaza.
  • Gazebo Use: Its primary use seems to be as a performance stage. It seems like the intention is to expand the octagonal base to include areas to perform.
  • Info Booth: Removal of the information booth.

There are also a couple issues that I personally have. The main one is the footprint of the veteran’s memorial. It seems to be a monument on top of a stucco pedistal/wall, on top of a platform that is blocked off by chains. The actual memorial is a small cross, a couple of plaques, a tiny statue, and two flag poles. My main point is that it takes up more space than necessary and that it feels a little hostile to people using the space. Though there are a couple benches and shaded areas that make the space nice too.

It seems that the area around the veteran’s memorial will be streamlined. Instead of walls, dividers, and a chain fence … the entire area will exist as a slightly elevated area. The edge of the area will simply be two or three steps down to the rest of the plaza.

Trying to stay away from social media

Posted on October 30, 2023

I have been a bit down the last few days. At this time of year I get down because my birthday is near and I end up evaluating my life in a less than positive light. Part of the depressing paralysis is brought on by a need to escape a bit. That happens with social media. I have been spending eight hours a day on it over the last three days. It isn’t healthy. I spend a bit of time bypassing the warning alerts on YouTube.

So, I hope to attempt a bit of a retreat from social media. Hopefully this looks like spending more time drawing, planning, and casually researching. I can still use the internet. I just can’t go to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Well, I guess I have to do a little of it for work. Other than that … hopefully I can restrain myself. I won’t be perfect, but let’s see if the change is manageable.

Land on the Mesa

Posted on October 24, 2023

There is some land that my dad has. It is that silly land that really is about Mad Max apocalypse existence.

Good article.

Unit 8 map Unit 8 Plat

Unit 6 Plat

Nightmare

Posted on October 14, 2023

Venus, Iaral, i can vo

enox, i cartal, venus, scanadanavio,

scandalario

I just had my most intense childhood nightmare. Exactly as it was.

It is essentially a dream about a number series that goes on and on until you reach a final headache spike that is at the angstrom level that spikes into your head.

It starts out with the lower levels where there are things that you can do. You essentially swim up to the top of these tubes to see yourself trying on things. Men trying on suits. Women trying on dresses. From there things build like you are going up a high-rise and the floor get smaller each time you get higher. The whole culture …

(This is all part of the nightmare)

(It is recursive …)

k2104 c9

63 64 c5 k92

64 c9 ck 9012

This is a memory that I had as a child. It seems to have been waiting dormant for 40 years.

Finger splitting.

This is all part of it.

Kids and people would count these names and numbers. It was a way to keep track of what is going on.

Each level I was going to.

The boxes keep stacking.

But you are also falling.

Falling.

There is a restaurant at the bottom. They serve food. You can get this goulash. It is the simplest.

As you get higher, the courses get higher, simpler.

I was a young kid. I had a place, high on the number list.

This is a nightmare I has as a child. Over and over again.

For some reason. Even this. Typing into a web page is exactly as it was.

All those years ago.

Every word is almost the same.

ChatGPT

Posted on October 2, 2023

Things to ask ChatGPT this month …

  • How to clean up my website
  • How to clean up the Taos Pride website
  • How to update my Resume
  • How to make some financial plans
  • How to make some career plans
  • How to streamline my budget
  • How to get better with my painting schedule
  • How to host slightly more dynamic pages on my website (image download + forms + display)

Building a shed

Posted on September 24, 2023

I may take a short cut in building a shed and use the extra shed that my brother-in-law has. He is missing the bolts and fasteners to put it together. I don’t even know what brand it is. At the moment I am assuming it is an Arrow steel shed. Based on a quick look a the parts, it seems to be constant … though there are plenty of similar products on the market.

Arrow Instructions Arrow at Lowes Arrow Video

Arrow shed build