"Apricots orange as sunset"
On the Farm End of July
by Star Coulbrooke

"A pan filling as the clocks tick"
Rural in Summer
by Star Coulbrooke

"Hanging by our fingers from thick limbs"
Apple Tree
by Star Coulbrooke

The Village

To paint this bird’s eye view, I stood on the edge of the Rim Road in Des Montes north of Taos and looked down on the valley of Valdez. The village spreads out from the old church plaza with its one room school house and is bounded by the river to the south and the acequia to the north. Cultivated fields still encircle the houses, and the road cuts a path through it all. The two old fir trees stand like sentinels as witnesses to the quiet history of this community. I live in the foothills just beyond, and every time I follow the road home, it is like driving through the painting; each house now a familiar friend.

"Nights were full of summer"
Loon Lake
by Sharmagne Leland-St. John

"We hear your sweetly whistled songs"
Rose-breasted Grosbeak:
Nature's Pavarotti
by Michael Escoubas

"Soft as roses with thorns"
Jellyfish
by Margaret Gish-Miller

"When nights were full of summer"
Beauty determines the distance I go
by James Navé

"Geese in half light"
Temperatures Falling
by Lyn Lifshin

"The stars are arranged predictably each night"
Love Letter to a Lukewarm Night Sky
by CM Hagan

"The owl nesting in the hollow"
Pine Pollen
by Haleh Liza

"I could teach them how to jive"
Forever Young at Heart
by Karen Schwartz

Side Door of the Ranchos de Taos Church

The San Francisco De Asis Church has been interpreted by so many artists that it is daunting to attempt it. Walking around the church, trying to find my own view of it, I was struck by the brilliant sunlight gleaming off the side door and immediately set up my easel. This painting was published in the Taos News in an article on a juried exhibit at the Encore Gallery about the church called “Humble Masterpiece”. Standing in the beauty of the 200 year old church is truly humbling.

Tripping With the Top Down
By Ellaraine Lockie
Reviewed by Sarah W. Bartlett

Taos Overlook

When you drive up out of the Rio Grande Gorge and turn the corner, this view of Taos Valley opens up leaving you in absolute awe. The river gorge etches its way into the flat landscape leaving deep canyon shadows, as the mountains seem to rise up to the east and touch the sky that looms large above everything. You can see the curve of the earth and your small troubles drop away as you lift your head to the beautiful world in front of you. For me, it is the view that means I am coming home. Many people say this view has given them an “aha” moment, and we are so grateful that it is now protected as Federal land.

MoonPath Press Presents
Cosmic Egg
by Brendan McBreen

Walking Rain

Storms sweep in from west of Taos and you can look out over the sea of sage on the mesa and watch the weather move in. Clouds gather and scattered rain showers pour out from openings in the dark sky, as the white veil of rain walks across the land. Thunder and lightning accompany the light show that changes moment to moment as the storm moves in.

A great light, healthy summer salad
Jicama-Mango-Cabbage Slaw
from the kitchen of Sharmagne Leland-St. John

Add a flavour from the orient to this dish
Wasabi Crusted Halibut
from the kitchen of Sharmagne Leland-St.John

Treat yourself to a popsicle over the hot 4th of July weekend
Lime Popsicles
from the kitchen of Sharmagne Leland-St John

Holy Trinity

The historical church of La Santisima Trinidad is in the heart of Arroyo Seco, NM behind the main street on the old plaza. The Holy Trinity Church was built by the Hermanos de Penitentes in 1834 and according to legend, it is on the site where a white dove appeared sitting on a shiny stone that seemed lit from within. Buried under the stone, they found a bulto, or wooden carving of an old man and a young man with a white dove above, appearing as the father, son and holy spirit. It was decided to build the church here in honor of the holy trinity. This painting is a side view of the church, where the sunlight strikes the warm adobe walls and lights up the white door, reminding me of the legend of the iridescent stone. Now, it is as if the light is coming out of the church itself after all the years of worship.

Terry Davis

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Late Fall on Vallecito

Fall stretched into late October when I finally had time to stop, on my way home from work, to paint this view of the mountains that I had been watching, day by day. I was aware of the beautiful figure, sometimes called the Corn Maiden, who is made by the green of the forest at the edge of timberline. Her ponytail flies out behind her turned head and her arms are flung out in benediction, as the aspens beneath her glow with an inner light. I painted in awe of her presence.