Hurd-La Rinconada Gallery & Guest Homes
December 2009 Issue #10 |
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Growing Up Wyeth
"Old Kris," 1925 by N.C. Wyeth
N.C. Wyeth made the celebration of Christmas an art form of it's own, creating enduring traditions that his children and grandchildren carried through adulthood. The celebration of Christmas was a magical ritual, as described in this letter to his parents written in 1910:
Dear Folks:
Christmas is over-and yet it isn't over-the glamour of it all still fills the house.... The smell of second and third day turkey is still with us, and the every-now-and-then toot of a tin bugle or the tumble and clatter of blocks.
We were up at five-thirty-while Carol dressed I got the fires up bright and warm downstairs (Oh! what a sensation it was to come downstairs in the dark, the air heavy laden with the aroma of the tree, and that new smell of the presents lying about, and to feel around the dark room for a match, conscious of that glittering tree in the corner, the faint dropping of a "needle" or two striking a tinsel ball with a tiny ring-) it was all so mysterious and beautiful. Then (I had bought a corking long-whiskered mask with peaked cap combined) with the hall lamp dimly burning I bobbed up the stairs and peered through the palings at the top of the landing. Henriette dressing in the bathroom saw me! It was glorious!! She was laughing and crying both, and between them she managed to pipe out a timid, "Hello Chris!"...
My antics were carried out with such seriousness and enthusiasm, that...I felt unreal as though I were some one else, or crazy-or something! I can't say! I only know that underneath it all, the great truth that I was a father, acting this all out for my own family seemed fantastic, a dream!... |
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The Shepherds' Christmas by Peter Hurd
This lithograph, depicting a Christmas celebration amongst a wandering band of New Mexican sheepherders, served as the Hurd family's Christmas card one year in the 1930's. The Gallery currently has one signed lithograph of "The Shepherds' Christmas" available. Please call 800-658-6912 for more information.
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Biscochitos-The Official State Cookie of New Mexico
Biscochitos are a special treat in many New Mexico homes at Christmas~usually served with New Mexican hot chocolate.
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup lard
3/4 cup sugar
3 tsp. anise seed
1 egg
1/4 cup brandy or white wine
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
(Mix sugar and cinnamon; dip cookies in mixture before baking.)
Sift dry ingredients together; set aside. Cream lard, sugar and anise seeds. Beat eggs until fluffy; add to creamed mixture. Add flour mixture and brandy alternately. Mix until well blended. Knead slightly and pat to form a stiff dough. Roll dough 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut in circle or shape of choice. Dip each cookie into cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking. Bake at 350 degrees on ungreased baking sheets 10-12 min. or until lightly brown. Makes 3-4 dozen. These cookies freeze well after baking. | |
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Morning Snow
Price: $4,800
Medium: watercolor
Size: 10" x 15 1/2" |
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Storm Over the Rio Grande
Price: $3,500
Medium: watercolor
Size: 9 1/2" x 13 1/2" |
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A Rare Treat in San Patricio!
Despite our proxemity to the village of Ruidoso, which is well known for snow and skiing, it has been a long time since Sentinel Ranch has experienced significant snowfall. We were pleasantly surprised, however, by several days of snow at the beginning of December that presented plenty of inspiration for painters, photographers and snowman-builders alike! |
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Definition of a Sentinel Ranch "Windy:"
A term coined by Peter Hurd referring to a (mostly true) story told by any member of the Hurd family for the sole entertainment of anyone within earshot.
The glorious snow that we experienced at the beginning of this month was accompanied by a full moon which was too much temptation for a photographer, such as myself. Despite my aversion to cold, I dragged Michael out to accompany me on two night-time photography expeditions. On the second night, the sky clouded over, but there was still enough light filtering through the clouds to make the landscape glow. It was on this second night that I suggested we try some photos at the Old San Patricio Church.
Like his father, Peter Hurd, Michael is a fun-loving prankster. Knowing this...and knowing my ridiculously overactive imagination, I had to summon my courage to venture out into the church cemetery in the dark. Michael waited for me in the car and I warned him not to play tricks on me because I had to hold very still during the exposure. Unable to control himself, he immediately began to make ghostly howling and moaning sounds or say things like, "Did you hear that? I saw something moving over there!"
My heart rate had already begun to accelerate somewhat because I actually had heard something down by the river...probably an animal stepping on a twig...but nevertheless, a bit unnerving. I focused on what I was doing and relocated my camera and tripod to get a different angle. While making the next few exposures, I thought about how snow muffles sound. With the cloud cover overhead, the world literally seemed "dead quiet." After several minutes of shooting, my camera battery died and I decided it was time to head home. I packed up my tripod and turned to walk the few yards to where Michael waited for me in the car...but he was gone.
My heart stopped. I couldn't move and all rational thought left me. I had that feeling that you get when you're having a nightmare and suddenly realize something really scary is about to happen. This had to be a BAD dream! Where did he go!?! I was alone, in the cold, in a cemetery...
Suddenly in the dark shade the trees, a white smile broadened in the dark as the prankster revealed himself. He had somehow managed to put the car into neutral and roll backward down the road until he was hidden amongst the shadows. Once my heart started beating again...I almost killed him. | |
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