Roadmap Or Hike To a Painting™

The Snow Moon is an early Winter Full Moon, and in Northern New Mexico the scene will catch your breath.

Nothing quite like it...

Plein Air painting in the winter can be brisk, but it is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the quiet beauty of  Winter in New Mexico.  An especially compelling time for me is the Snow Moon.  The term Snow Moon is often associated with the Eastern part of the North American, but the dynamics apply to the American West as well.  The full moon that occurs in February is called the Snow Moon, perhaps because there is typically heavy snowfall in that month.  The origin of this name has been attributed to Native Americans, Europeans and others, but what I really love is the early morning after.  A wonderful thing about New Mexico is that the morning typically breaks clear and cold after a storm.  In February the Snow Moon against that brilliant blue sky, accented by dramatic clouds that are beginning to melt away, was the inspiration for this painting.   My hope is that such a painting will catch your breath, just a bit, like a cold winter morning.  This painting is set in Las Trampas, one of my favorite spots, but I wanted to accentuate this village scene with a winter view of the Sangre de Cristo range.  The Sangre's actually sit North and West of this spot by less than 50 miles, further up the High Road to Taos.  For me, this composition captures the uncompromising beauty of the high road after a winter storm. 

Snow Moon Over The Sangre's

I have written about the picturesque village of Las Trampas before, when writing about the High Spot on the High Road Fall scene.  Over the past few years, I’ve painted the church and village from different perspectives, and in different seasons.   This painting is 24' x 36", so I chose to complete it in the studio and competing several sketches, color studies and small thumbnail paintings.  For this scene, I wanted to focus on the church from the Nave, with a local traveler making his way along two lane trail into the village.  The view of the Sangre de Cristo Range can be seen on Highway 518 looking North toward the back side of Taos.  For my initial works, I did "back of the car" easel setups along the road to capture the light and color from that season, along with the mountain vistas I wanted to incorporate.   As always, before setting brush to canvas, I also took some reference photos for use later, when I was back in the studio putting finishing touches on the painting.  

Roadmap To A Painting or Landscape Travelogue 

My BLOG's always include a travelogue. If you take this ride; directions are provided along with  where you might stop or eat.  Such options are fewer in the winter, but the High Road to Taos remains a truly iconic drive. Blending winter scenes with the mountains, villages, winding roads, breathtaking vistas, and enduring images like San Jose Church in Las Trampas, is all part of the ride.  To get there, start on US 285 North of Santa Fe.  Continue on to New Mexico 503 and turn right toward Nambe, this is one entry point on the High Road to Taos.  Be on the lookout 7 1/2 miles on, for a left turn onto Juan Medina Road that drops down into Chimayo.  From Chimayo take a right on Highway 76 and head up toward Truchas.  As I have mentioned in a previous Blog, this is the village where Robert Redford filmed The Milagro Beanfield War.  From Truchas, follow this route on North to Las Trampas.  If it is warm enough, feel free to get out and walk around the church.  As you continue North or 76, you will eventually intersect with New Mexico 518 North of Vadito.  As you head West on 518, just a few miles down the road you will crest a pass, and the view above will unfold.   Continuing on this highway travelers will reach the historic and beautiful village of  Taos, New Mexico.  Anytime of the year, Taos offers countless opportunities to explore shops, galleries, restaurants and great places to stay a night or two.   Have fun!

For More About Jack Mc Gowan, please visit  www.jackmcgowan-artist.com