American Southwest (2), a photo from New Mexico, West

Photographer's Note

The middle in a small series of scenes that I think embody something important about the American Southwest - the area of the country that includes New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. On my most recent trip, we went only to two of those states: New Mexico and Colorado.

This is a fairly typical display in a Santa Fe tourist shop, but we've also got several elements of Southwest American culture here, from plastic versions of the peppers from yesterday's photo to the cattle skulls (real? fake? I wasn't really able to tell) to the ceramic skulls and suns painted in bright New Mexican colors.

timecapturer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

batalay (32822) 2012-09-07 18:23

Hello Andrew,

This eye catching scene, I thought, could only be in the US South West. Your personal note complements the photo. Indeed, it is somewhat reminiscent of a photo I posted a couple of years ago, Paintings of Clocks, not in their subjects as much as in their surrealist nature.

Warm regards,

Bulent

rbellemare (2087) 2012-09-07 18:23

Hello Andrew,

Very nice presentation of this souvenir stand. Interesting skulls and beautiful colours of the ceramics. Nicely framed.

Have a good day.

Réjean

bukitgolfb301 (30017) 2012-09-08 2:20

Hi dear Andrew

Sorry formy late reply, as I was so busy this week.
Wow very interesting and happy shop. Just window shopping seems to get relax and be happy. Thanks for your shring with great posting and have a good weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

timecapturer (30138) 2012-09-08 4:25

Hi Andrew
a fascinating mixture of elements and colours here that make the image so fascinating and compelling. Love the detailing and the clever use of the diagonal composition. Wonderful imagery!

Enjoy your weekend - Brian.

mjw364 (3606) 2012-09-08 10:39

Andrew

I like this image for its colours... the red chillies, the bleached skulls and the yellow sun masks. The colourful masks put me in mind of Mayan, Inca culture. Those ladders too, like the one in your previous image that led into a cliff cave type dwelling... is that Pueblo Indian culture? Clearly the arid desert is referenced too with the skulls. Many cultural flows, historically speaking, evident here.

It's a little crazy to me that people should want to eat chillies in the desert! Having eaten Mexican food when I was in the States though I have to say... I do like the cuisine.

Chillies in the UK are more associated with Indian food which in the West Midlands where I live is excellent and I did try Indian food cooked by a Mexican chef in the States and it just didn't work for me!

Thanks for the image.

Mike

abmdsudi (26183) 2012-09-10 3:22

Hi Andrew
Beautiful simple compo, giving a very good impression of wild wild west stuff on display. What an extravaganza of textures, razor sharp, wonderful colors and stunning contrast, love how those skull are sandwitched in between and the hot red chiilies!! This is a wonderul opportunity to capture the local culture and flavour, so well taken presented but I miss the cowboy hats! Amazing and thanks for
sharing, TFS
Warm regards

Waylim (22349) 2012-09-12 18:15

Hi Andrew,

I almost came here on my last trip to the SW. However decided to skip it and wait till next time when we can dedicated more time to see it, instead of just passing through. Beautiful colors of the souvenirs I love those skulls, makes me thing of O’keef’s Painting. I could use on of the sun on top of my outdoor fireplace :)

Very cool shot of the tourist spot.

Way

jmdias (45754) 2012-11-09 0:42

andrew

very interesting artcraft mixed with skulls of cattle, in my region these skulls are used to "break the envy" in ranches. nice pov of the image catching the objects and their colors. TFS.

hugs

jorge