Tumacacori Summer
Feb 19, 2023
I am hopelessly in love with the beautiful shapes of the Arizona Native American ruins and architecture. Tumacacori National Historic Park features a Mission and a few structures with an adobe style. Tumacacori Summer is very much about that building style, using my own photography as a reference. I came across Tumacacori when I opened my very first gallery in Tubac, AZ in 2006.
At the time, I was learning the business side of art while enjoying one of the most precious opportunities to feature Rinconart and my work in such an incredible location. It was the combination of the mountains, the low-key and busy artisan streets of Tubac (reminiscent of old Mexican artisan towns), the beautiful forest in Madera Canyon (where I used to hike and I almost got ambushed by a bear once), and the the warm but definite silence of the Tubac and surroundings that provided a space of the most profound creative and introspective experiences, especially at night.
My gallery was located at the very front of the entrance and I designed it differently, featuring other talent besides myself. This attracted attention right away. We stood out as an eclectic and modern art hub in comparison to the rest of the galleries around. Events and other art activities drew a crowd even from Tucson, (about an hour away) when I was involved in organizing events for La Entrada. We did an awesome dance show with Batucaxé and made lots of noise in the Summer Nights of Tubac.
Nevertheless, my daily experience was more of a solitary one inside my beautiful but very old building. At the time, many personal events were transpiring, which needed introspection, understanding, and healing. I cannot think of a better location and circumstance to find peace and quiet than that jewel in Tubac, so I am grateful for what I had. I got to paint while I meditated on life and other matters, and also worked with amazing artists like Joe Pagac, Paul Scott Malone and Nancy Schroeder. It was at that time when I was commissioned the drawing for renowned photographer Murray Bolesta's Moods of the Santa Rita's book, and of course the cover of the Verizon Yellow Book for 2009 after closing the gallery. I did not lack for blessings, but there was depth to the whole thing.
I would say that my experience running the gallery/studio was particularly unusual. I drove around the dirt roads of the area and walked around Tubac frequently. visiting Tumacacori numerous times and making it a lunch spot on occasion. I could imagine and feel the old days, because Tubac and Tumacacori exude reverberating history. Bittersweet history. It almost felt personal, as if I'd been there before, many times. Native Americans, Jesuits, Catholics, Mexicans, and US interests were all involved in the history of that little town over the last 4 centuries.
The more I learned, the more I figured that no one historical group was be able to claim the place and though it was a lawless land at some point, today it remains a beautiful artistic community where I still feel at home.
The original painting is no longer available, but you can purchase prints on paper, prints on canvas, and many other items by following this link to Tumacacori Summer. Also, below are a few links to informational videos about Tubac and Tumacacori. I encourage you to visit!
