La Luz. 32 x 40.

La Luz Trail is a footpath up the face of the Sandia Mountains from
Juan Tabo Park outside Albuquerque. It passes between the jagged
cliffs at the top of the painting. One noon, I saw the mountain
breaking in and out of cloud shadows as thundershowers rose behind the
crest. The lighting was so dramatic I jumped into the car and drove
the eight miles up to the park. By the time I got there the
thundershower had reached monster size, and the downdraft was pushing
moist wind off the crest and out into the sunlight. Where the peaks
stirred the wind, small ephemeral clouds flowed outward and dissolved
in a lacy filigree. Watery light bathed the barren slopes of the
foothills and glistened on the rocks in the draws. The throaty rumble
of thunder reverberated in the calm hot air of the park.

Have Questions or Comments ? Contact Us.