I finished these paintings on February 18th 2025 after having started the series with the ultramarine version about 4 years ago. I titled the white/bone version “Palace Portal” because it’s warm white hues are based on a carved wood window grill seen on a door at the Palace of the Governors on the Santa Fe Plaza, a very special place where every day under the shade of the deep portal (pronounced “por-TAHL”) dozens of Native American artists from surrounding Pueblos set out their wares— pottery, jewelry, beadwork, etc. to sell to visitors looking to take home an authentic souvenir of the visit to the Land of Enchantment.

So what, exactly is a “window grill”? Well, originally, they were simply wooden bars set into window openings as a security measure. Early settlers with a creative flair might have put some time and effort into carving their bars into fanciful designs like those seen here. As the art form evolved, folks needing window bars but lacking the patience or skill to carve them would cut flat planks in a fashion that mimicked the silhouette of carved bars. Gradually these flat-cut bars were crafted with more and more decorative silhouettes, and these can be spotted in many variations over windows, garden gates and screen doors all over Santa Fe!

Some of the good old carved ones survive if you know where to look— when next you are strolling beneath the Palace of the Governors, look for the white window grill on the doors to the building’s museum space. The color for the ultramarine painting is drawn from brightly painted blue window bars that can still be seen on what was once the “St. Francis Cathedral School” on the corner of Paseo de Peralta and East Alameda street. I replicated the vibrant blue tones very faithfully, so that this iconic piece of Santa Fe’s architectural heritage may grace your home wherever you may be!

The final painting of the series in red ochre is a personal favorite— inspired by warm red chile ristras baking in the warm early autumn sun!

These paintings each measure 20” x 26”. The medium is tinted matte gesso on raw linen. The raw linen has a unique texture that has some “nubs” in it that can be seen in the painting. It is stretched on stout 1.5” deep stretcher bars and has “d-rings” and wire on the back for easy wall hanging.

I am happy to deliver these to you within Santa Fe and even hang it free of charge! I am happy to ship within the US for a flat rate $80.00 shipping fee which covers the cost of the shipping materials and USPS Ground Advantage shipping to your home.