I was sitting at my computer recently, working on the blog (so what else is new, right?) and an email came in from Sylvia Montesinos, a reader of the blog who lives in Albuquerque, NM, just 2 hours away. It was a gorgeous weekend and she and her husband, Mark, had spur-of-the-moment spent the night in Santa Fe. They were thinking of driving up the High Road and were wondering if I would be available. And, as things sometimes happen, I was! We concocted a loose plan and they headed up the mountain.
Their first stop was Cardona Hine Gallery (see previous posts A Journey of the Soul and Renaissance Man). I don’t remember if Sylvia had already met Alvaro and Barbara yet or not, or if she’d only seen their work on the blog. We’ll have to ask her: Sylvia? But she and Alavaro have something in common. They both grew up in Costa Rica. As it turned out, Sylvia knew one of Alvaro’s distant relatives. Imagine. And she’s given me a recipe for a Spanish-style stuffed pork roast that I’ll be trying soon. Can’t wait.
Anyway, something very special happened. Both Alvaro and Barbara were in the gallery that day (not something that often happens) and a couple came in to buy a painting while Sylvia and Mark were there. Wine was brought out and a celebration ensued, one that included Sylvia and Mark. I live here and Barbara and Alvaro are my friends and I KNOW how special those moments with them are.
Sylvia will have to tell us about the couple who bought the painting. If I’m remembering correctly, I believe she said they’d met each other at the gallery the year before, and had both admired the same painting. They’ve since married and they came back to buy the painting. Sylvia? (This could just be the romantic in me fabricating a story I want to believe, but it sounds good, doesn’t it?).
So we met up later and, although Anna and my gallery was closed that day, we headed over there for them to see it anyway (see previous post Anna Karin Gallery, Truchas, NM: Before and After). Then we went to Hand Artes Gallery, of course (see previous post Disparate Pieces), and we ended our day here at my house (I’m chagrined to tell you that I kept forgetting to take photos, so the best of the day, I think, were shot by Mark—those of Sylvia and me with my dear animals which are near the end of this post).
Sylvia is a doctor who has left the profession to pursue her art. She found the blog after having made that decision and she’s communicated with me about it frequently. She’s just started a painting class and has been doing The Artist’s Way on her own for a couple of months now. It was truly great to meet her in person, and to meet Mark. They are both lovely people.
As with everyone who visits the High Road, they realized there was just too much to see and do in one short visit. So they will be back. And Sylvia and I have a date to sit over a glass of wine discussing art and beauty and life… What could be better?
Love to you all,
Jeane
Amazing!! Of course!!
XOXOX
Grace
Maybe you could come next? XO J
Jeane, I just stumbles upon this as I was reading another of your entries. What a delight to think back to our beautiful visit. It was just heavenly!You are such a gracious hostess.
As for some of your questions. That was my first time meeting Alvaro and Barbara. I had seen their work online and read a few of his delightful books. They are both so warm and kind and interesting of course. As I am have become a big fan of Alvaro’s from afar it was a treat to get to spend time with them. Barbara and I got a chance to talk about women in art a little too which was a blessing. As far as the couple there, my understanding is that she had just met her fiance about a year ago when she was traveling through Truchas and discovered the gallery. She had a passing thought about how great it would be to buy one of Alvaro’s paintings as an engagment gift to each other if they ever happened to get married. A little over a year later they were both there and Mark and I were lucky enough to be part of this beautiful moment.
Lest I write a comment the length of the blog, I will stop here. It was delightful and a privilege to meet you Jeane and to get the tour of such a magical place. And our course, we loved your tribe of pets.
It is fun remembering that magical day. Looking forward, already, to your next visit.
Oh, and thank you for answering those questions for all of us.
It’s nice to read this blog after hearing Sylvia’s version of the story recently. I too am a new friend to Sylvia and we have met several times over breakfast and/or coffee. As a matter of fact, I am now following your posts because of Sylvia! I too am a New Mexico artist, living in Albuquerque. I love the way the internet can connect us all in ways we may have never connected without it. Of course it is always so much more fun when we get to meet in person and connect on that level too! 🙂 Perhaps I will get up to Truchas someday for an in person visit! 🙂
It would be lovely to meet you up here in person one of these days. But, until then, I’m so happy Sylvia has introduced you to the blog. I’m still stunned at the level of connection this medium fosters and allows. It’s ALMOST as good as being here!
A visit from Sylvia, one of the great artists from a family of great artists. You were most fortunate.
I didn’t know that Sylvia is from a family of artists. Do tell.
You would best ask her for the whole story, I am not sure I have the lineage right, but several of them are quite well known.
OK, next time I see her I will.