Artist Profiles

Mandelman was quickly captivated by the high desert light, the rugged terrain, the living traditions of the Taos Pueblo, and the vibrant artist community she encountered upon arrival. She came at a time when realism and abstraction were sharply at odds in Taos, yet she easily built friendships across both artistic camps.

Marco’s artistic self-assurance was forged in an uncommon childhood. He grew up with his aunt who ran a prominent art gallery in Mexico City. Pablo Picasso spent time with their family and they were neighbors with Frida Kahlo seeing her frequently.

Alvaro didn’t start painting until he was in his 40s. He describes it as his most joyful medium: “…all that splashing around with color.” It also provides his livelihood. I know Alvaro primarily as a painter.

Lisa Trujillo married into a fiber arts heritage that goes back seven generations. She acknowledges both the gift and the privilege of coming into such a rich legacy, as well as the heavy responsibility that accompanies it.

Ultimately, Irvin speaks a truth that resonates with so many who choose the artist’s path: no matter the challenges, we continue. We take leap after leap into the unknown, creating art simply because it is a part of who we are.

My friend, Anna Karin, moved to Truchas over six years ago now, arriving with her red wolf named Sheba and an orange cat. She was at the end. All of her resources were gone and she didn’t know what to do next, so she did what was in front of her: She rented an old adobe church with a house in back.