Taos Pueblo I 1925 - 1926

This is Andrew Dasburg's abstracted take on the Taos Pueblo. I just love the graphic quality of the woodcut. It's not just a picture, it's an artifact of labor, a record of decisions, and a testament to the artist's vision. I can imagine Dasburg carving into the wood block, each cut a commitment, a paring away to reveal the essence of the scene. He is pushing and pulling between representation and abstraction, trying to capture the feeling of this place. What does it mean to translate a three-dimensional, lived-in space onto a flat plane? It’s a kind of alchemy! The bold black lines create a rhythm, a dance between light and shadow. The ladder leaning against the building is so simple, yet it adds a touch of human presence. And the mountains in the background – they feel like ancient guardians. It reminds me that, as painters, we’re all in conversation with each other, building upon the ideas of those who came before us. Painting is about embracing the unknown, trusting the process, and allowing the work to surprise you.