Bird Vendor

Bird Vendor
Xochimilco, Mexico, Distrito Federal
© John Farnsworth 2008

White Buffalo

White Buffalo
(For George and Sheila)
© John Farnsworth 2008

Buckskins in Pawn

BUCKSKINS IN PAWN
© John Farnsworth 2008

These buckskins have been pawned by the Navajo and Zuñi at Richardson's Trading Post in Gallup, New Mexico. A time honored tradition, pawn allows for safe storage of valuable items, and occasional cash loans for those slow times between winter and lambing season, or until the next sale of a rug or pieces of hand-wrought silver and turquoise jewelry. When redeemed, they will be used for making shoes, clothing, and ceremonial items.

Antequera

ANTEQUERA
© John Farnsworth 2008

This is the view of El Torcal Mountain, also known as La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lovers' Leap". Local legend speaks of an impossible love affair between a young Christian man from Antequera and a beautiful Moorish girl from nearby Archidona, driven to the top of the cliff by Moorish soldiers, where they chose to hurl themselves into the abyss, rather than renounce their love. Antequera is one of the enchanting Pueblos Blancos, or white villages of Andalucia. It is about 40 minutes north of Malaga, and is the center of many historic and natural wonders.

Buffalo Burger

Buffalo Burger
© John Farnsworth 2008

Greasewood Wash

Greasewood Wash
© John Farnsworth 1968
Oil on Panel
16 x 12 inches

While camped at Greasewood on my sponsorship, I spent my days sketching in the Trading Post, or out among the people gathered to visit and gossip in the clearing out to the west of the store. Some days, I would climb to the top of the small mesa behind the store, or the hill in front of the store. On others, I would take my home-made version of a French easel, and either ride Johnson James' horse or hike out into the surrounding landscape, to paint the washes, arroyos, mesas, trees and mountains.

Here's a painting from one of those walks. It depicts the Greasewood Wash, which ran from the Lukachukais down past the rear of the store. I walked up the wash until I saw this Juniper tree, silhouetted against the sky and background of the Lukachukai Mountains. and sat down on my folding stool in the middle of the chamisa filled wash, to paint it, and the side and bottom of the wash.

The Spanish Conquistadores brought horses, cattle, goats and sheep into the Southwest, and the Navajo, through raids and trading, quickly learned to herd and tend flocks of the sheep and goats, which provided a ready source of meat, lessening the need to hunt. The herds soon became the Navajos' main source of food, clothing, wool, for their rugs, and a source of wealth and standing in the community. Eventually, however, overgrazing by the sheep, and to a lesser extent, the cattle and horses, resulted in wide spread and devastating erosion. The federal government stepped in and drastically reduced the size of the Navajo herds during the 1930's, slaughtering 80% of the stock, to the dismay of the owners. The government continues, still, to impose limits on the numbers of sheep the People are allowed to own.

The deep arroyos caused by the erosion provide picturesque and visually exciting subject matter for painters, while serving as a reminder of the history of the region.

Dying Moth

Dying Moth
© John Farnsworth 2008
I found this moth dying in the street outside the gallery. I picked it up and placed it on the hood of our neighbor's pickup, and photographed it, before turning it loose.
I believe it is a Pamina Moth (Automeris Pamina)

Dandelion

Dandelion
© John Farnsworth 2008

Thea's Roses

Thea's Roses
© John Farnsworth 2008

Brushes in Evening Light

Brushes in Evening Light
© John Farnsworth 2008

Two Sides to Every Story

Two Sides to Every Story
© John Farnsworth 2008

Patio Lights

Patio Lights
© John Farnsworth 2008

Succulent Rhythm

Succulent Rhythm
© John Farnsworth 2008

Buddy Seat

BUDDY SEAT
© John Farnsworth 2008

Skull at Caroline's

SKULL AT CAROLINE'S
© John Farnsworth 2008

Young Lovers

YOUNG LOVERS
© John Farnsworth 2008
On the Alameda Central, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
I love street photography. I love street photography in Mexico City; and I especially love photographing in the Alameda Central, a beguiling park, created in 1592, by Viceroy Luis de Velasco, and named for its many cottonwood trees. It's in "my" neighborhood whenever I'm in the city, as are the enchanting Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Latin American Tower, Museo Franz Mayer, and Diego Rivera's mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda, in which Diego and his wife, Freda Kahlo appear with other historic figures as well as the "Katarina" figure from the Day of the Dead Celebration.

Moonrise with Pelican

Moonrise with Pelican
Charleston, South Carolina
© John Farnsworth 2008

Pigeon Spa

Pigeon Spa
San Francisco, California Zoo
© John Farnsworth 2008

Waffle House, Atlanta

Waffle House, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
© John Farnsworth 2008

Ant

ANT
© John Farnsworth 2008

Evening, San Miguel

Evening, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
© John Farnsworth 2008

Naturaleza Muerta a la Luz de la Luna

Naturaleza Muerta a la Luz de la Luna
© John Farnsworth 2008
The slow death of the Moon's crescent as it merged with the rising Sun, and the birth of a new Moon from the solar fire of sunset may have given mankind the first push towards the notion of death and rebirth, which is central to so many religions.
Isaac Asimov

Familia Charro

Familia Charro
© John Farnsworth 2008

Don't Tread on Me

Don't Tread on Me
© John Farnsworth 2008