Dearest friends,
Sometimes, we fall short in remembering the power of our imaginations, the power of seed planting. Years before I had visited Santa Fe, I had become aware of the incredible masterpiece that Inn of the Five Graces is. It was the mosaic work appeared first before I began to thoroughly take note of the elements that make it memorable. Almost 13 years later, I was invited to be their first artist in residence this past August.
Upon exploring the rooms and the property back in early summer, I immediately noted the omnipresent red textiles throughout which piqued my curiousity. I studied color theory in school, noting it as one of the primary colors but also became intrigued by the nature of emotions evoked by red. As a good artist does, I began to ponder.
How does red tie into the history of textiles from around the globe? Who traditionally has worn red and what is the symbology behind it’s placement in the echelon of life? What piments or plants provided the material for extraction and how were those materials extracted? What was the effect of mass produced color production upon those materials? How do design with tones, shades & hues to make an impact within art?
I decided to sit with these questions as the basis for my residency with the Inn. I was invited to stay in the recently opened “ Red Door “ Villa, a luxurious two bedroom villa renovated inside a territorial adobe home in the oldest Spanish neighborhood within Santa Fe. High ceilings adorned with textiles from Afghanistan, Tibet, India, Mali and Uzbekistan, indigo chenille upholstery and a cascade of red yarns acquired to weave with. As the residency was 6 days, I knew the piece completed would be rather small which was perfect. It was intended to function as a conversation piece rather than a complete idea. Each morning I began interacting with clients from all over the world who held a keen eye for art and beauty, how deeply fitting. The sienna red boucle happened to be one of my favorite textures evoked next to a fine lace weight black silky cotton. I used the tapestry comb to build up rows of 10 warm colors, row by row beating each thread down in order to design bricks of time, a subtle manifestation into being that arose with seeds of awe around the hotel planted many years prior now alive!
Cochineal and Kermes were the insect deriative forms that made the most tremendous impact on textiles and the industry before synthetic dyes were implemented. What I learned is that the cochineal gardens were highly prized and protected before the Spanish took a strong hold of it and it’s import into the bourgeoning New Spain. Madder root, one I have experimented with, has also produced an incredible colors with hues affected by mordants and water quality. Several women who’ve been milliners have used it on their felt for wool hats and the colors evoke a pleasant rusty warmth. Often when I’m wearing red or one of it’s striking tones, it emboldens me. I’ll never forget the time in Morocco many years ago I wore traditional attire and was flocked by Moroccan men walking down the street. It was a rather uncomfortable experience and I ended up walking with a male friend on each side of me due to the attention and the symbology that red meant I was looking for a husband. Red to me is that powerful colorful, like red lips, that is feminine, strong like fire, almost untamed by blood. When the Aztecs ( Mexica ) were sacrificing people, it was intended the color of blood would function as the offering to appease the Gods. Women themselves are so tied to the color red when they become mothers due to the blood, courage and intensity of birth while throughout our lives, we know so consistently how red is the color of life. There is much more study to be done on the topic as it translates into the colors of the textiles from the aforementioned countries above but that can be done in time. I find myself still so grateful for the opportunity to have been soaked into every niche of handmade beauty within the hotel and the opportunity to share my story.
Images below by Kobi Shilling, a local photographer in New Mexico.
