Giving the Gift of New Mexico Art on a Budget This Holiday Season

As Seen on 2 KASA Fox "New Mexico Style"

Colorful  reclaimed wood and metal pieces
Ghost Town Furniture

Well, it's the holidays and times are still tough for most people.  Have you ever wanted to give art as a holiday gift but weren't sure where to start, where to go or what to buy?  Art can sometimes feel intimidating.  It shouldn't be, if you keep my number one piece of advice for buying art in mind--buy what you like!  Some galleries may try to convince you that it is important to buy for investment.  For most, though, who don't plan to buy a Picasso or Kandinsky, value is less important.  True, many artists' work will appreciate, but in a bad economy, you may not get your investment back if you decide to sell it. That's why it's even more important to buy something that speaks to you or something that your loved one will enjoy.  After all, you or someone will have to live with the piece day in and day out. It may even become a treasured family heirloom! 

With artists and galleries struggling, it is even more important to buy your art locally.  Every community is blessed with terrific artists, and New Mexico cities are no exception. Often times, people will spend upwards of $200 for framed prints by famous artists at the local hobby shop.  Did you know that for the same price or less, you can give a one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays in the form on original art made by a local artist?

New Mexico has some amazing original art that is available both directly from the artists themselves and galleries.  My experience as a New Mexico resident has allowed me to see a wide array of art. That's the reason I decided to put together my own comprehensive holiday gift guide featuring great art for people shopping on a budget.   From functional art to traditional Native American, contemporary and wearable art, I hope you find my picks as exciting as I do!

Functional Art:

Functional art is the kind of art that we can live with, enjoy, and use in our everyday lives.  Furniture is a great example.  Ghost Town Furniture in Nob Hill is one of the best purveyors of rustic furniture in the Mexican style in Albuquerque. Claudio Cruz and his family create beautiful pieces made from reclaimed wood and metal.  Pieces include colorful chairs for $135, this ranch shelf for $240,  nichos for $125 and holiday angels for $18 for small ones and $58 for the larger ones.

Ranch shelf
Ghost Town Furniture

Reclaimed wood and metal angels
Ghost Town Furniture

Micaceous serving bowl by Clarence Cruz
Andrews Pueblo Pottery & Art Gallery

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo potter Clarence Cruz creates beautiful functional pottery out of black and gold micaceous clay.  From bean pots to stew bowls to ollas, Cruz's work is stunning and can actually be used to cook and eat from because of the properties of the micaceous clay and the firing process involved with making the pottery.    Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery in Old Town carries a wide array of Clarence Cruz's functional pottery.  This is a wonderful idea for a holiday party hostess gift. It's a serving bowl that will only set you back $75.

Native American Art:

When it comes to buying Native American art, do your research and know the dealer from whom you are buying it.  Only reputable dealers will represent the art they sell as made by Native Americans.  Native art sales are highly regulated by the government.   Bob Andrews of Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town knows a thing or two about Native American art since he has been selling it for 38 years and you know that when you buy from Bob Andrews that it is going to be authentic.

Dreamcatcher  by Carrie Lucero

I really love the traditionally made dreamcatchers made by Carrie Lucero, who is a member of the Onondaga Tribe of the Iroquois Nation.  Did you know that the circle is not a traditional form? It came about when artists started using metal hoops to make them. Carrie utilizes natural wood with organic materials ranging from horse hair to quartz crystals to shells and feathers.  She also handwrites booklets that are attached to the dreamcatchers, which give the meanings of all of the materials.  This dreamcatcher painted black is available at Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery for $62.

White marble and black jet bears
by Herbert Halate
Andrews Pueblo Pottery &Art Gallery

If you live in the Southwest, you are, no doubt, familiar with festish carvings from Zuni Pueblo. While it is forbidden to sell true fetishes that are used for religious purposes, many artists such as Herbert Halate, create fetish carvings that can be sold.  Pieces such as these bear carvings cut from jet and white marble are essentially miniature sculptures and are the perfect gift for those who love bears or sculpture. Both are available at Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery for $69 and $95 respectively.

Contemporary Art:

"Our Lady of Sorrows" by Nicholas Herrera
Legends Santa Fe

 If finding affordable art by top contemporary Native American artists is your thing, look no further than Legends Santa Fe, a gallery that specializes in Native art and regional non-Native artists. On November 25, Legends Santa Fe opened its "Holiday Small Works" show offering pieces in the $300 to $1000 range by its roster of artists.  Famed non-Native American New Mexico artist Nicholas Herrera created "Our Lady of Sorrows" for the show. It's priced at $450, which is a bargain for this artist whose work is found in museums around the world.

"Untitled" by Frank Buffalo Hyde
Legends Santa Fe

Cool Nez Pierce and Onondaga Native artist Frank Buffalo Hyde created this awesome untitled piece featuring the Bat Mobile for the exhibition. It is currently selling for $300.  For more information on the show and the gallery, visit www.legendssantafe.com.

Day of the Dead ornanments by Amber Middleton
Mariposa Gallery

One of my favorite galleries in New Mexico is Mariposa Gallery in Albuquerque's Nob Hill. Since 1974, the gallery has been carrying funky and fabulous local art. Local artist Amber Middleton creates these cool Day of the Dead paper clay ornaments. They're not what you usually think of when it comes to the holidays, but they're quintessentially New Mexico and will make a wonderful addition to your holiday tree. They come in smaller and larger sizes ranging from $40-$45 in price.

Ariela Boronat is a Cuban-born, Santa Fe-based artist who creates beautiful mixed-media paintings that are based on her travels around the world.  Her works, which can be found in private collections around the world, can run upwards of $300.  This holiday season, Ariela is creating pieces such as "Musical (11" x 14")" priced at $175 and "Old Memories (8" x 10")" $85, a great way to make her work affordable.  They are available at www.arielaboronat.com.

"Musical" by Ariela Boronat
www.arielaboronat.com

"Old Memories" by Ariela Boronat
www.arielaboronat.com

Wearable Art:

Earrings by Priscilla Aguilar
Andrews Pueblo Pottery & Art Gallery

Turquoise earring are a staple in New Mexico. Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery features gorgeous inlay earrings made by Kewa Pueblo jeweler Priscilla Aguilar.  Andrews carries a variety of colors and designs.  These earrings are authentic and are a steal at $165.

If you're in the market for wearable art, check out Studio 13 in Albuquerque's Old Town.  Owner and artist Daniel Ramirez, who is Saginaw-Chippewa creates original art on clothing based on his art.  Daniel is currently working on "The World's Longest Native American Painting," which features prominent tribal women, who are constants in his work.  While $800 to $5000 paintings are not in most people's budgets, prints can be had for around $18 to $95 and cards sets cost $28.  Original painted clothing such as the t-shirt below featuring a basic design ($40) are great affordable statement pieces. Cost is determined by clothing item and complexity of the art. Visit Studio 13 in Old Town in person or online HERE.

"Women of the Four Directions" by Daniel Ramirez
Studio 13

Original wearable art by Daniel Ramirez
Studio 13

Bra Shrinky Dinks ring by Kris Mills
Mariposa Gallery

When I was a kid, Shrinky Dinks were all the rage. Today, local Albuquerque artist Kris Mills creates miniature graphite drawings on Shrinky Dinks before baking them.  Then she sets them in silver making pendants, cufflinks and exciting rings like this "Bra" ring available at Mariposa Gallery in Nob Hill.  This is a unique and affordable gift at $135.  www.mariposa-gallery.com.

Men are often hard to shop for. For the man who appreciates unique and sleek jewelry, why not give him this tufa cast cuff bracelet and ring by Kewa Pueblo artist Dino Garcia.  The bear claw and tulip designs are traditional,  but they can be incorporated with the fashion-forward wardrobe and can be worn together or separately.  The cuff is $225 and the ring is $90. Both are available at Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery. www.andrewspp.com.

Tufa cast cuff and ring by Dino Garcia
Andrews Pueblo Pottery & Art Gallery

Street sign money clip by Peter Gilroy
Mariposa Gallery

For the man who hates a cumbersome wallet, give him this one-of-a-kind street sign money clip made by Northern New Mexico artist Peter Gilroy.  He retains the original patina of the signs that he uses in his work, but makes them cool and bold by polishing the sides and backs.  This is definitely not your grandfather's money clip, and it's a bargain at $50. Available at www.mariposa-gallery.com.







(*Paul Niemi is a compensated spokesperson for all of the products and services contained within this gift guide)

The Road to Indian Market 2010: The Nampeyo Legacy with the Sahmie Sisters of Hopi

Even when an artist has years of experience, the road to SWAIA Indian Market can be long. The Sahmie Sisters, direct descendants of the greatest of all Hopi potters Nampeyo, for instance are no exception.  While Nyla Sahmie does not participate in Indian Market, Rachel Sahmie, and Jean Sahme Nampeyo (Jean spells her last name without the ‘i’.) do.  In spite of their lineage,  even these ladies aren’t guaranteed a problem-free process prior to Indian Market. They sometimes lose pots, just like every artist who participates.

What doesn’t fail these three fabulous women is their zest for life and wonderful senses of humor. As a matter of fact, they are all so dynamic in three different ways, that you can scarcely pick your favorite Sahmie Sister.  While they all take things in stride and laugh at life, what they do take seriously is the responsibility of being Nampeyo.  To them, that means carrying on the name with grace and adherence to the traditions of the past, which have carried them through the present and will lead them into the future. The quality and specialness of their work is undeniable.

The week prior to the 2010 SWAIA Indian Market, Nyla, Rachel and Jean all came to Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery from Hopi to meet with customers and present a comprehensive show of their work. Nyla, the vivacious middle sister, while skilled and most interested in creating as large of pots as possible, brought along some of her miniatures, and Rachel, the youngest sister, brought a wonderful large canteen with a design reminiscent of the work of Sadie Adams, as well a bowl, an olla and two large cylinders with her own designs that adhere to traditional Nampeyo form and methods. Rachel always likes to ask the collector “what do you see?” and that is what I love best about her. The quietest and the oldest of the three is Jean Sahme. Jean, who is a teacher, is known for her large, gorgeous cylinders, and she didn’t disappoint fans at Andrews by bringing some of her best work to show and sell.

All three women are daughters of Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo and they use only traditional methods of forming, painting and firing their pottery. As part of my “The Road to Indian Market 2010” series, I decided to interview these three sisters, who keep everyone on their toes. Learn about their heritage as members of the Nampeyo Family and their distinct styles in my video interview with them HERE:

The Road to Indian Market 2010: Pueblo Pottery and Art Dealer Robert Andrews

While many collectors don't think of Albuquerque when they think of SWAIA Indian Market, some actually make a plan to check things out at ABQ's Old Town Plaza.  There are a number of shops offering authentic, handmade Native American art, but Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery by far has the best selection of contemporary Pueblo pottery and art in town with some of the best prices in New Mexico, including the work of 2008  Indian Market "Best in Show" artist Sheldon Harvey.  Owner Bob Andrews' prices are so competitive, it makes it worth the trip on the New Mexico Railrunner or by car just to see what you can find. 

Since I spend a great deal of time at Andrews, it was a no-brainer to talk to Bob about how the economy has affected the gallery, what they do to attract Indian Market goers to the gallery, and how the whole season contributes to his business's bottom line.  Watch my interview with Bob Andrews HERE:

Being Martinez: San Ildefonso Potter Marvin Martinez on Maria and the Family that Made Him Famous

There are moments in life when you have to pinch yourself and be reminded that, indeed, you are there, living an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  In my forty years, I've been in the position to meet some extraordinary people, but they were in equally glamorous situations, surrounded by other people.  In the Southwest, it's the Native American artists who are the real celebrities, and real is what you get with them.  There's no glamour.  There's no glitz--just total heart and passion.  Profoundly, there is also the reminder of why we are here on this planet--to express the will of a higher power through the talents we have been given.

Last Friday, while waiting for another artist who was scheduled to arrive at Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town, the most extraordinary opportunity found its way into my life, and I have to say that I am still a little bit in awe. San Ildefonso potter Marvin Martinez arrived out of the blue to sell gallery owner Bob Andrews some of his work that included smaller Avanyu (the iconic waterserpent) pots, as well as gunmetal-colored stone-polished medicine bear clay fetishes with a shine that would make you think they were anything but clay.  Since I am currently reading Alice Marriott's 1940s biography of Marvin's great-grandmother Maria Martinez, Maria: The Potter of San Ildefonso, meeting him was a particular treat and connected me even more to the book.

Anyone familiar with traditional Pueblo Pottery knows that husband and wife artists Maria and Julian Martinez were Pueblo Pottery royalty and best known for their black on black designs.  Maria hand-coiled the pots and polished them, while Julian painted on the designs.  Marvin and his wife, originally of the Santa Clara Pueblo, where potters are known for their fine polishing work, create pottery together.  In general, Marvin and Frances share the duty of making the pottery with Frances coiling and polishing the red clay prior to firing. Next, Marvin paints the intricate and beautiful designs on the pots and they are fired.  Marvin is quick to say that while he learned a great deal about life from his great-grandmother, it was Maria's son Adam and his wife Santana Martinez that taught him what he knows about making pottery. Now deceased, they were pottery stars in their own right, and often lived in the shadow of Maria and Julian.  He honors Adam and Santana wholeheartedly because they were the people who raised him.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to learn about Marvin's life as a Martinez, and, by serendipity, having brought my Flip camera along, we sat down at the old Spanish-style pueblo-made table at Andrews and chatted.   See my very special and candid interview with Marvin Martinez here:

Award-Winning Navajo Artist Sheldon Harvey Shares Thoughts on Art and Preserving Navajo Culture

Two words describe Navajo (Diné) artist Sheldon Harvey--Cool and humble. I've met him on several occasions at Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza. If you're fortunate to be in the gallery while he is on one of his selling trips from Arizona, what you first notice about him is that he is quiet and subtly confident. Once you've talked to him, you'll discover that he's an overall good guy too.

At just 30, Harvey has already taken Santa Fe's Indian Market by storm. As a matter of fact, in 2008, he won "Best of Show" at Indian Market, and his star has continued to rise steadily ever since. It's no surprise, though, since he has worked with master Diné artists Don Whitesinger and Tony Abeyta.

The prices of his paintings and Ye’ii figures,which depict Navajo supernatural beings as Harvey sees them, are going up quickly. These carved wood sculptures, decorated with paints, macaw feathers, horsehair, canvas and yucca, are among his most creative works and his most popular. That means if you are in the market for Native art and want to own one of his colorful and spiritual works, you better jump now. While Harvey didn't even submit his work for judging at the 2009 Indian Market, he did receive a great deal of press and added more people to his loyal fan base that includes collectors from the United States, Europe and Asia. With a particular fondness for the Japanese, Harvey has painted numerous works that are part of a wonderful series inspired by his travels to Japan.

This week, I was lucky enough to have some time to chat with Sheldon Harvey while he was on a recent selling trip in Albuquerque. Check out my video interview here:

Sheldon Harvey is represented in Albuquerque exclusively by Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Art Gallery. For more information, visit the gallery at http://www.andrewspp.com/.