Paintings of Time and Place

SOLD “The Long Walk of the Navajos to Bosque Redondo,” Oil on Canvas. Sold by Jackies Trading Post in Taos, New Mexico. Thank you, Bill and Joy.

This painting was inspired by a tragic occurrence in Navajo and US
history. In 1864 the US government decided to place the Navajos with Mescalero Apache on a reservation at Bosque Redondo in east central New Mexico. Kit Carson destroyed sheep and rounded up about 8000 Navajos for this move. The Navajos were herded on an 18 day, 300 mile walk from Arizona to New Mexico. What was originally conceived as a reservation at Bosque Redondo soon became a prison. A sad chapter in both Navajo and US government history. After four years the government returned the Navajo to their homeland.

"Pueblo Mini," Oil Miniature of Taos Pueblo

 

Back to more traditional artwork for a change.  I love Taos and its pueblo, so every once in a while I paint a pueblo image to be shared with others.  For those who like to remember the pueblo itself, this painting serves to do just that.  Small enough to fit into a niche and large enough to be remembered.

Pueblo Mini, Oil on Canvas, 3" X 3" (image size), mounted on 5" X 5" gessobord,  8 1/2" X 8 1/2" (framed size

                                                     SOLD

                                   

 Copyright 2015  Charlotte Shroyer

www.charlotteshroyer.com

 

 

"Beauty of New Mexico," Oil Painting on Masonite

 

I paint many abstracted faces that appear out of mind, but every once in a while I like to paint a more realistic image.  This is one of those images.  Not any particular person, to me she personifies New Mexico in so many ways--a melding of the cultures inhabiting the land, Native American, Hispanic, Anglo, and more.  Taos Pueblo is always a part of the landscape as here in this painting.  It has survived for over 1,000 years and will continue to do so.   All is part of the land, the air, and the people.

 Beauty of New Mexico, Oil on Masonite, 12" X 9" (image size), $285 USD

         SOLD

Copyright 2014 by Charlotte Shroyer

"My Pueblo Forever," Oil Painting Inspired by Taos Pueblo

"Stoic II," Monotype Included in Millicent Rogers Miniature Show

Name him what you want.  He is a creation of my mind as are my other monotyped faces.  There is just a 
fascination with the face that I can't kick--the landscape of the face.  The landscape of color, plane, features, detail--all is included in the face.  I started to create a woman's face with long hair, but this male face reminiscent of the Native American face appeared.

I created this monotype for the Millicent Rogers Miniature Show at the Millicent Rogers Museum, 504 Millicent Rogers Road, Taos, January 31 through March 2.  Reception is January 31, 5:30-7:30. 

If you can't attend and want to purchase the monotype, leave a comment and I will get back to you.

                                   SOLD

 

Stoic II, Monoprint on Paper, 16" X 6" (image size), 21" X 11" (matted and framed size), $295 USD.

Copyright Charlotte Shroyer 2013

 

 

 

 

“Southwestern Dreaming,” Miniature Oil Painting of Native American

In spite of my love for creating abstract figurative images, I also enjoy the challenge of creating a piece more representative of what most people see as the human face.  This is one of my latest efforts at doing just that. 

Southwestern Dreaming, Oil on Gessobord, 5” X 5” (image size), framed, $175 USD

This image, striking in color and features, fits well into many different decors where just a small accent piece is needed.  Or think of it in a small corner with just the right touch of color and thought.

 

 

Copyright Charlotte Shroyer 2013

www.charlotteshroyer.com

“Determined,” Monograph on Paper , Inspired by the Determination of a Proud People

 

Another of my monographed faces.  This face was inspired by the many faces of character that I see in the Native Americans of my town, Taos, New Mexico.  I am so inspired by the weathered lines of the face and the stories they tell or hide within.  How to paint and depict these faces so that other people may understand the history of these proud people and how they are a part of this country in which we live has become a goal of my work.

 

The other morning in that haze between deep sleep and wake, Navajo weaving came to mind.  I wove in the Navajo style for many years, but since starting to paint, have left my looms idle.  Could those early morning thoughts be a call to action for me?  Either to start weaving again or to work on the book which I started many years ago?  A book entitled Lessons of Life from the Navajo Loom.  Time will tell.

 

Determined, Monotype on Paper, 16” X 10” (image size)

                          SOLD

“Proud to Be,” Oil Painting of Native American from Taos Pueblo in Pow Wow Dress

Proud to Be, Oil on Canvas, 12” X 12” (image size), Framed in Black Contemporary Frame, $295 USD

 

Most of my paintings are very contemporary, but every once in a while I like to “stretch” skills a bit to be more realistic.   I liked the attitude of this woman from the Taos Pueblo.  She is proud of her heritage—it comes from a people who have always been proud in spite of what has happened to them historically.  I am proud to be a part of Taos where I can feel the energy of the “Mountain” on  pueblo land and of the people who inhabit that land.

 

I feel as if I was “brought” here to Taos in an unusual set of circumstances.  I had no intention of staying here, but here I live after 14 years.  The power of the mountain!!!

This painting can be purchased at Jackie's Trading Post, Taos or online.

                                          SOLD

www.charlotteshroyer.com

Copyright Charlotte Shroyer 2013

"Ancestors," Oil Painting in Honor of Native Americans of Taos and US

Years ago as a seven year old child rubbing my feet in the black loam of our Ohio vegetable garden, I made a marvelous discovery--a stone tomahawk hidden in the dirt.  It seemed so obvious and yet so mysterious that I picked it up in wonder.  What an exciting find!  As I look back on that discovery, I am still in awe and perhaps have even less understanding than during that time of innocence.  Could it have been an omen of things to come?  Could it in its own small way have pushed me to a path of discovery which would help fashion my adult life?  I have woven Navajo style; I live in a place inhabited by descendants of the Anasazis, and I wonder at the beauty, mystical energy, and intelligence of the Native American culture in which I live.  This painting is a tribute to our ancestors of the Americas, the people who lived and still live in this land.  Thank you.

Ancestors,  Oil on Canvas, 60 X 36," Gallery Wrap, $4500 USD

www.charlotteshroyer.com

Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

Indian Axe Painting: A Connection to my Soul

 For years this axe sat on my bookshelf waiting for me to notice.  It has only been during the past three weeks that my attention finally got it--wake up and look through the window of your soul at the reminder of your long ago intentions to write a book about lessons of life from the Navajo loom.

This axe is not Navajo, but it is a part of a culture which has valued the earth and all that is a part of it.  So much of who I am has been reflected in the Navajo style weaving that I did for years and still do to a minor extent even today.   The spiritual connection of putting  organic materials into a visual form with order and aesthetics satisfied a yearning deep within for close to 20 years.                   

NOte:  The book Lessons of Life from the Navajo Loom has its beginnings on paper almost three chapters done.  One of the chapters Yarns of the Soul has already appeared as an award winning feature aricle.  Hopefully the rest will follow.

Painting above:  Indian Axe, Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6," $30.00 USD