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Bill Watson
Bill Watson, Awaken, 2007. Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 20 in. Courtesy of the artist.The art scene in Santa Fe, New Mexico remains vibrant and active. There are more than 250 galleries in a town of 67,000 and more than 150 are within walking distance of the central plaza. This includes the well-known Canyon Road area.
The railyard within this walking perimeter is undergoing extensive renovation, and a number of galleries have moved adjacent to the contemporary art space Site Santa Fe. The Collectors Guide lists more than 1,000 artists and galleries.
In addition to galleries and studios, Santa Fe hosts an acclaimed Indian market, a Spanish market that includes colonial and contemporary sections, an international folk art market, and numerous other festivals during the year. In many large galleries less than 40 percent of the sales are in-store. Offsite sales include previous visitors as well as website purchases. Purchases of well-known artists are frequently made sight useen. Liberal return policies by the galleries make such purchases more feasible. Several galleries host auctions in Santa Fe or in other sites around the country.
The number of galleries and artists provides something for almost everyone’s taste. As an artist I find such a variety of stimuli that it is difficult to maintain a style. The bright skies, mountains, deserts, and ever changing colors provide visual stimulation, while the juxtaposition of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, over an extended period of time, add an intellectual, spiritual, and religious component.
In 2010 Santa Fe will be celebrating its 400th anniversary as the capital of the region. Coronado passed through the area in 1540, and the settlement, which was not peaceful, began in 1598. As might be expected, there is a significant concentration of Western, Native American, and landscape art in the galleries; however; cutting edge contemporary art is struggling to make an impact on the market.
I attempt to edge into the genre through the use of bright basic colors and native motifs to express oneness with the environment. However, when coyotes, deer, and even mountain lions pass beneath my studio window, and ravens do acrobatics in the sky, how can I resist not including them in my paintings?
The coyote and raven appear frequently in the folklore of the region and make wonderful motifs. Modern Native American art, which is sought after by many local residents and collectors worldwide, is prominent in the galleries. Fiber arts in the area are quite imaginative and several galleries specialize in these works.
Sculpture is predominately western or Native American; however, contemporary sculpture is beginning to make a significant impact. The Shidoni Foundry sculpture garden has examples of the work of many local sculptors, and the Alan Houser sculpture garden provides insight into one of the most recognized Native American sculptors.
