Barbara Schutzgruber – Storyteller & Weaver

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Recently I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Being a gal from SE Michigan = the Land of Great Lakes, gray skies, humidity, 840ft/260m elevation and flat…. this was an adventure in opposites = high desert, sunshine all day every day, no humidity, 5300ft/1600m elevation, the Sandia Mountain Range (10680ft/3255m) within walking distance, WIDE open spaces, cacti, rattle snake, and prairie dogs.

I was surrounded by the varied textures in the landscape, learned the history of the people, and witnessed some of the most spectacular sunsets at the Valley of Fires, White Sands National Monument, Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, the Coronado Historic Site  and the Jemez Historic Site, the Gilman Tunnels, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, and Santa Fe.

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At the Jemez Historic Site I met Cindy Fragua of the Jemez Pueblo.  Cindy creates traditional Jemez pottery, storyteller and other figures, miniatures and ornaments.

It is always fun to talk with other artists – especially ones who work in different mediums than I do. Cindy was generous, shared ideas, and willing to trade art for art so she and I have exchanged work.
I have 2 of her Corn Maiden figures

and she has 2 of my purses.

This trip certainly brought inspiration and new perspective!

New Mexico truly is a Land of Enchantment