Southwest Art by Wendy Meg Siegel
Welcome to the Southwest Art Lens
I absolutely love the Southwest. It's one of my favorite places to visit and to photograph. Within this lens you'll find images of my Southwest artwork and products displaying these photo/mixed media paintings. In addition, you can choose to learn more about the Southwest through the links, books and music included on this page. I have also included places to visit, links to Southwest art museums and information on Southwestern petroglyphs (rock art).
Thanks for stopping by.
"Ancient Dwelling"
Photo Mixed Media Painting
Wendy's "Southwest Extensions"
A Series of Photo/Mixed Media Paintings
The series of paintings I call the Southwest Extensions, have provided me with the opportunity to play with color while focusing on the lines and light of the architecture of New Mexico. This is how I describe that magical location...
The Spirit of New Mexico is tangible, extending far beyond the boundaries of the land. It is a place where earth and sky meet to create a mystical energy field. It's very presence can be inhaled in the air we breathe and taken through the skin's pores into the bloodstream.
The luminous colors of the changing landscape and the soft edges of the architecture, leave a lasting impression. It is this very Spirit that remains with me. I carry it within my heart.
"Four Corners"
Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Paintings are Copyrighted
All images of Wendy's paintings are copyrighted by Wendy Meg Siegel. Images may not be used or copied without written permission from the artist. Thank You.
"Canyon Opening" - Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Favorite Places to Visit in New Mexico - Here's my top 10
One of my all time favorite places to travel is New Mexico. The colors of the landscape, along with the soft lines of the adobe architecture, the history and the lighting, all draw me back. The places I have listed below, are both favorite places to visit and favorite locations to photograph. The photos in my paintings have been taken at many of the following locations. Here's a list of my top 10 choices:
- Chaco Canyon is a fabulous journey into the historical lives of the Ancient Pueblo People. It is located in a remote setting, accessed by unpaved roads. It was a major cultural center from around the 9th century till the 12th century and then was abandoned. Visitors to Chaco Canyon will see the largest stone ruins in the United States, ancient roadways and stairways, petroglyphs and pictographs. One can learn about the complex seasonal calendar, created by the placement of slabs of rock and a spiral petroglyph. Pueblo Bonito is the largest of the pueblos found at Chaco Canyon, with somewhere around 650 rooms, built to be several stories high. A visit to Chaco Canyon is a fabulous trip to the past.
The photograph within "Canyon Opening" (the painting shown above), was taken at Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon.
- The Church in the Tiny Town of Las Trampas, New Mexico - The San José de Gracia Church is a national landmark. It can be found along the High Road to Taos, about half way up from Santa Fe. It was built around the 1760's and completed in 1776, in the adobe style of architecture. The church is filled with charm and a wonderful sense of history.
- Bandelier National Monument - I absolutely love Bandelier. There are ancient cave dwellings along the canyon wall and ruins of community housing that built on the floor of the canyon. You'll find a wonderful ceremonial cave and kiva that can be reached by way of ladders, petroglyphs and loads of great hiking trails.
- The Puye Cliff Dwellings - This cliff ridge was formed by the Jemez Caldera volcano. It was home to close to 1500 inhabitants from around the 1200's to the late 1500's. Over 700 rooms have been carved into the stone. The Santa Clara Pueblo oversees the Puye Cliff Dwellings. It's a National Landmark.
- The Town of Madrid - Madrid is located on the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It had been a coal mining town that became a ghost town after the mines were closed. Now it's an artist community with quaint little shops and galleries. As you walk or drive around this small town, it is easy to see Madrid's history through the remnants of it's past.
- Canyon Road in Santa Fe - It is a gallery goers dream location. Santa Fe is the second largest art market in the country and Canyon Road is it's primary gallery district. Along with the many galleries, there are artist studios, unique shops and restaurants along the road. There's no other city or town that I would rather go gallery hopping.
- Driving the Loop from Santa Fe down to Route 44, then up to Route 4, past Bandelier National Monument, and back to Santa Fe by way of 502 to 84. - This route takes you past the Jemez Pueblo, the Jemez National Monument, White Rock, and Bandelier National Monument.
- Enchanted Mesa - I love looking out at the view of Enchanted Mesa from any vantage point. The mesa stands over 400 feet high and is located about two and a half miles from the Acoma Pueblo.
- The Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Annual Arts and Crafts Show - it takes place in July and is held at one of the Pueblos. When I attended the show, there was a wonderful variety of works from excellent artisans. What a terrific event!!!!
- The Gila Cliff Dwellings - ancient ruins located in southern New Mexico in the Mogollon Mountains. A visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings gives you the opportunity to explore the homes of the Mogollon people who lived there over 700 years ago.
"The Gate" Painting
Inspired By My Visit to Chaco Canyon
The ruins at Chaco Canyon are quite spectacular. There are many Great Pueblo buildings to explore. The photo I used in "The Gate" was taken at Casa Rinconada, across the canyon from Pueblo Bonito. Although it is not as large as Pueblo Bonito, it houses the largest Kiva in Chaco Canyon. It's quite a spectacular structure.
A kiva is an underground room used for religious ceremonies and spiritual rituals, by the Pueblo People.
"The Gate"
Photo/Mixed Media Painting
The Desert Southwest
"Enter Here" Painting
Inspired By My Visit to Bandelier
The photograph used in this painting was taken at Bandelier National Monument. It was taken at the entrance to one of the cave dwellings cut into the canyon wall. I spent an entire day at Bandelier, exploring the ruins, the trails and the kivas. It was a hard place to leave and the experience of that visit has not left me.
"Enter Here"
Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Ancient Ruins of the Southwest
"Mission Vision" Painting
Inspired By Visits To The Las Trampas Church
Whenever I travel to New Mexico, I make sure to take the high road to Taos so I can stop at the Church in Las Trampas. There is something about the place that draws people back. It feels warm and inviting, safe and peaceful. I love the feel of the worn floor on the soles of my shoes.
"Mission Vision"
Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Southwest Art Magazine - Get a one year subscription
"Duplex" - Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Southwest Art Museums - Below is a list of links to museums and art centers of the Southwest
- Georgia O'Keeffe Museum located in Santa Fe NM
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is dedicated to the life, art and legacy of Georgia O'Keeffe. - The Collector's Guide to the Art of New Mexico
This is a great resource whether you are planning a trip to New Mexico or live there. A wealth of information is supplied about galleries, museums, art studios throughout New Mexico. Visitor information is provided as well, including lodging, travel, - Arizona Art Museums and Arizona Art Centers
This web page provides loads of links to Art Museums, Non Profit Art Organizations and Art Centers in Arizona . - Museum of New Mexico : Four Museums in Santa Fe and Six Monuments
Welcome - you are about to enter a virtual world of New Mexico art, history and culture - please enjoy your stay. - Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian hosts exhibitions of contemporary and historic Native American art with an emphasis on the Southwest. - Heard Museum | American Indian Art & History
American Indian Art & History - Museum of the Southwest
The Museum of the Southwest is located in Midland, Texas. It includes an Art Museum, Children's Museum, and Planetarium. - Utah Art Museums and Utah Art Centers
You will find a list of links to Art Museums, Non Profit Art Organizations and Art Centers in Utah. - Autry National Center of the American West
The Autry National Center of the American West is an intercultural center that celebrates the diversity and history of the American West through three interconnected institutions: The Museum of the American West, The Southwest Museum of the American
Southwest Coloring Book
Petroglyphs - Rock Art
An Ancient Art of the Southwest
Petroglyphs are symbols or pictures that have been carved into stone. The top surface is removed, revealing the lighter inner layer of rock. Ancient peoples throughout the world have left these beautiful visual gifts behind allowing us a glimpse of a time long past.
When you travel around the Southwestern United States it is not uncommon to catch a glimpse of either a couple of symbols on a rock or many, as in the case of Newspaper Rock in Southern Utah. I had seen many rock art sites but nothing has come close to the WOW of viewing Newspaper Rock. It is a huge rock wall totally filled with these stylized pictures.
The photographic images in this painting were taken at Newspaper Rock.
"Petroglyphs"
Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Images in Stone
Rock Art at Newspaper Rock, Utah
Petroglyph Book for Children
Southwest Travel Poll
Have You Visited the Southwest?
More About Southwest Art - Here are some links you might find interesting.
- The Art of The Eight Northern Pueblos
Here you will find a huge number of links to sites that provide information on Native American Art and Artifacts, Pueblo Pottery, Navajo Rugs and so much more. - Art of the Southwest
This site provides listings and information on the galleries, museums and artwork of the Four Corners area: Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. - Native American Pottery, Native American Jewelry, Navajo Rugs
A Southwest Indian Art Gallery with an emphasis on Southwest: Native American Pottery from all of the Pueblos in Arizona and New Mexico; Native American Jewelry, Navajo Rugs.Indian Baskets; and Hopi Kachinas. - Southwest Art Magazine - Fine western art, artists, and galleries
A magazine that focuses on the art, crafts, artists and galleries of the Southwest. There are lots of articles to read at their site, about individual artists, visits to their studios, Indian arts, fine art crafts and so much more. - Chaco: 1054 Supernova Petrograph
It is believed that the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon witnessed a Supernova in July of 1054 (now called the Crab Nebula). Rock Art symbols were created to mark that experience. It is also believed that the same wall holds symbols of the appearance of H - Internet Public Library: Pueblo Pottery Gallery
This is a link to the Pueblo Pottery Gallery at the Internet Public Library. Click on any individual image to find out more information about that piece of pottery. The Internet Public Library is an online reference service in which you can search on - Southwest Arts Festival - Indio, CA
Southwest Arts Festival - Indio, CA Sponsored by the Indio Chamber of Commerce. January, 2010 - Southwestern Native Art
Information about traditional and contemporary Southwestern Native American arts and crafts with links to native artists. Covers Southwest art forms including pottery, basketry, weavings, rugs, jewelry and kachinas. - Navajo Art, Navajo Jewelry, Navajo Rugs, and Navajo Pictures
Navajo Arts is dedicated to showcasing Authentic Native American Art and Crafts, Navajo Jewelry, Rugs, and Pictures from local Artists. Learn about the Navajo nation, history, culture, language, food, hogans, legends, sand paintings, code talker, Nav - Native American Designs and Symbol Guide
This site explains the meaning behind the commonly used symbols and designs in Native American arts & crafts.
"Pueblo Top" - Photo/Mixed Media Painting
Southwestern Decor - Here are some links to help add a bit of Southwestern Artistic Style to your home.
- Kokopelli Treasures
Southwestern Decor and Lighting, Metal Wall Art, Southwestern Art and Everything Kokopelli - Warm Up Your Home with Southwestern-Style Decorating
For a warm, inviting room, you might choose a Southwestern style. - Southwest Decorating
Southwestern decorating ideas for Kiva Ladders, Rustic Wall Decorations, Hand Carved Mirrors, Lights, Moulding and Trim and more. - Inexpensive Ideas for Southwest Decorating
eHow.com - You do not need expensive works of art and one-of-a-kind furnishings to decorate your home in a Southwestern style. Many affordable alternatives--from accessories and do-it-yourself projects.