Las Vegas New Mexico is a town so old it qualifies for being ancient, (way older than the USA), with it's many stone and brick buildings it is definitely a throw-back to a different era. Oil 6.50" x 9.00" SOLD j@jonconkey.com.
A "Journal of Paintings" by Jon Conkey, Themeworks was a "one-year-long" record of my progress in the art of "oil painting", and an attempt to paint 365 paintings in one year. Changing the monthly theme allowed me to focus on subjects I may not have otherwise painted. As an artist, I was looking for discovery and breakthroughs in my works through this daily practice.
9 comments:
Joe - great painting! I was raised in a small town about 60 miles from Las Vegas (Santa Rosa). We used to go to "Vegas" just to have something to do. Thanks for bringing up those old memories.
Your welcome Cara, but I'm not Joe. Too bad Las Vegas doesn't have any art venues...they just don't support the arts there.
Sorry! I'd like to say that my finger just slipped but the "n" is too far from the "e" to get away with it. It was always strange to me that Vegas didn't develope a stonger art community with the university there and the easy drive for tourists from Santa Fe. I was there in 2003 and there are so many wonderful old buildings that would make for a great gallery area.
Hi Cara,
I agree it is a beautiful town, just don't look to closely. It takes educated folks to appreciate the higher arts, music, dance, etc. Folks in Las Vegas seem just thankful to make minimum wage and exist. I have not been impressed with the "attitude" if you get my drift.
Are you familar with the trilogy of novels written by John Nichols (Sp?) that begins with Milagro Beanfield War? Man if there was ever anyone who had their finger on the pulse of a (any) small northern NM community it was him. I think he expresses it best.
Cara,
I would like to read them, I was shocked at how much trash (budlight cans)was on the ground in Truchas and Chimayo, plus I almost hit a lady that was so whacked out on "junk" that she literally leaped in front of our car in her stumble. I get kind of scared by that sort of community...and their tolerance for it.
As the story goes - when Robert Redford produced the movie version of Milagro Beanfield War (which is a great movie but doesn't hold a candle to the book - definatly read all three if you can find them)he wanted to film it in Chimayo but there was so much fighting - you know how it goes - typical NM politicing - that he moved the location to Truchas. What a shame about the trash. Its such a beautiful part of the state.
Yes, it is very beautiful around all these areas...like most remote spots in the USA, it is hard to earn a great living with so little infrastructure, but the trade off is total peace and harmony (for the most part). Too bad the drugs, corruption, and problems also gravitate to these types of places. Luckily, most of the problems seem to stay located with the problemed individuals and their associates. Living way up here is awesome though...like the the soaring hawks, we like to stay just above all the fray.
I was born in Las Vegas in 1948. Then, it wasn't too bad a place to grow up in. I went back to visit recently and was saddened to see what the super wal-mart has done to the downtown areas (both east and west LV). It looks like everyone hastily evacuated because of a toxic spill. Wal-mart has robbed the community of its vitality. If you read the "THE OPTIC" online, you'll see the issues of today are no different than they were years ago.... no water, corrupt politicians, and lack of jobs. Las Vegas, New Mexico.... nice place to be from, but I wouldn't want to live there.
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