Nicholas Herrera

T H E    E L   R I T O  S A N T E R O

Photos & Text by C. Whitney-Ward

Nicholas Herrera is a force of nature - always creating, always working. You might find him under the hood of  a rusted and immovable car perched in his driveway...

Painting a door to his daughter's room replete with a 'gun' doorknob...

"For when she brings home a boyfriend," laughs Herrara.

Fashioning a fab studio desk out of car fenders and a grill...

Or carving a magnificent saint out of cottonwood in his vast and light-filled studio.

Nicholas is a self-taught artist following in the footsteps of his great, great uncle who was a Santero de Muerto, also carving in cottonwood. His family history is rich, tracing back fifteen generations in New Mexico -  originally coming from the Canary Islands - and six generations  in El Rito and the family ancestral ranch in the mountains. Nicholas lives and works in the same house where he was born.

A room in the original house is like a mini museum...

And, Nicholas built a private chapel to St. Anthony out back where

 his mother is buried.

His work -  in 30 museums including the Smithsonian - is powerful and unique combining traditional Santero art with a contemporary twist and commentary. 

"The history and genealogy of my family is in my art," explains Nicholas, who has just completed a large painted and carved piece - Matachines - The Dancers - for a July showing at LEGENDS GALLERY in Santa Fe.

N I C H O L A S   H E R R E R A

El Rito, New Mexico

www.nicholasherrera.com

LEGENDS GALLERY

125 Lincoln Avenue - Santa Fe, NM

Opening - July 6

 5-7pm

.

I love a parade...

Especially the  W I S E   F O O L "Occupy Possibility" parade that took place this past weekend at the Railyard. All the giant masks and paper animal 'flags' etc. were made in Wise Fool's FREE workshops. There was a band, lots of kids and families and fun to be had as the parade wended its way through the Farmer's Market and beyond...

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

And a dragon...of course...

Wise Fool New Mexico
2778 Agua Fria Street, Suite D
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 992-2588

David Michael Kennedy - The Alchemist of El Rito

A . M A S T E R . A T .T H E . F I N E . A R T . O F . P H O T O G R A P H Y

Photos and Text by C. Whitney-Ward

David Michael Kennedy lives and works in El Rito, New Mexico, a blip on the map that is off the beaten path and a sanctuary for a bevy of remarkable artists. He invited me to his home/studio and  introduced me to two other amazing artists that I will be featuring in Chasing this coming week.

DMK's platinum/palladium prints are hauntingly beautiful, capturing the essence of his subject(s), everything from a weather-beaten car, the ethereal movements of a Native American dancer, the true grit of Bob Dylan - to the quiet eloquence of Isaac Stern. And, he does it all on film with finesse and grace and then creates magic in his darkroom.

Photos courtesy DMK website

In the 70's and 80's  David worked in advertising in New York, photographing a portfolio of celebrities - Bruce Springsteen, Yo Yo Ma, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Cliff, Loren Maazell  - just to drop a few names. Then in 1987 he decided to follow his dream and  settle in Northern New Mexico where he's firmly ensconced - save for a two year photographic journey  across America in an Airstream trailer. His images From the Road are raw and real, capturing a rapidly vanishing way of life. 

Pentecostal Minister Sister Reiddie Harper's larger-than-life portrait makes a quiet statement  in DMK's living room.  Which brings me to his home and studio. The house  is really two - a 200-year old house which was one of the first structures in El Rito, and a newer addition. David took me on a tour and I snapped away.

                You enter through a large gallery/studio filled with current work - every surface warm and inviting.

As you meander through the rest of the house,  his favorite prints and belongings take pride of place in every room.  

His handmade kitchen table.

 Henry who was along for the two-year road trip.

Upstairs is his darkroom where the magic happens.

David teaches Master Classes in landscape, portraiture and Platinum/Palladium printing. His vintage airstream is outback and available if an artist would like to be in residence for a week or so. David's work is on display locally at Legends Gallery,   and his work is coveted by an impressive list of collectors. Five of his photographs are being considered by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for their permanent collection.

DAVID MICHAEL KENNEDY

www.davidmichaelkennedy.com

505.660.3312

LEGENDS GALERY
125 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM