09.16.23 William Martin

William Martin, Reflections

By Rebekah Powers | September 2023

I recently met with the William Martin in his studio in Taos. He graciously paused in his current painting, a stand of hollyhocks in the sun to talk with me about his current work at Chimayo Trading.

We are fortunate to feature several of Martin’s major works, such as “Winter Crossing”, a large painting of two Buffalo thundering through a river. They are covered in snow and mud, their breath shows in the cold and the light of day shines through the amber eyes of the massive Buffalo. Martin’s overarching inspiration was how much these almost mammoth creatures are as much a part of the land as the river, the snow and even the frigid air. Standing in front of this powerful painting, you can feel harmony and beauty of the wild deep in your bones.

Another painting by Martin that garners the attention of most visitors is his work titled “Hello, My Friend”. This image of a woman encountering a wild horse in the beautiful forest of aspen is an apparition from the imagination of the artist. The mountains of northern New Mexico are one of the few places in the world where a herd of wild horses still roam, and autumn is a season of golden trees and shafts of sun that call up chimeras and visions of walking in beauty. This woman appears to be from Taos Pueblo, in a wearing blanket and tall white moccasins. The golden moment is suspended in time like a dream, a vision that the artist had one day when coming upon such a place in the Taos Mountains, a place in the sun where magic happens.

No discussion of William Martin would be complete without recognition of his still life paintings of the Southwest rendering the most authentic, realistic historic Pueblo pots, Navajo weaving true to texture, color and design, with an attention to detail and subtleties of lighting that can only be painted by an artist of great talent, extensive education and enlightened experience. “Reverence for the Past”, the title of his latest masterpiece is Martin’s honoring of what is real through still life, one of his most favorite subjects. He paints to record and preserve the details of the ancient artifacts of the Southwest, allowing them to continue to touch people, speaking their history down through time, surviving beyond the life of the objects or even the artist himself.

If you have not yet visited the world of William Martin, you have an adventure waiting at Chimayo Trading in Ranchos de Taos. Walk through the many cool adobe rooms filled with the newest and the oldest in local art. Historic baskets, modern jewelry and contemporary works contrast with the living history of beading and carving and weaving of the ancients.

After a generous break for our discussion, the artist returned to the hollyhocks on his easel and although the painting looked complete, and gorgeous in color and form, William Martin wouldn’t leave it at that. He will make the magic that only he can and the flowers will become even more vibrant, so alive, they almost tremble in the breeze and the light will shimmer in that way that has captured the imagination of so many. See the finished painting for yourself, coming soon to Chimayo Trading!

If you have had a memorable experience with us in the past,
please leave a review.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Copyright © 2023 Chimayo Trading Del Norte | Ranchos Del Taos, 87557 | All rights reserved.