Alamogordo just completed its largest New York Avenue event in the post Covid-19 world with the success of Atomicon 2022.
Street acts from transformers to superhero’s and fire Artist transformed New York Avenue into a center of artistic expression and performance art Saturday night.
“The night was a huge success and lots of fun for everyone, it was great to see so many kids and families on New York Avenue” said Alamogordo MainStreet Executive Director Nolan Ojeda.
”The event went off without incident, there were lots of smiles and great fun. We have few learnings about sidewalk spacing and accessibility which will be addressed at future events due to a few vendors placement,” said Roadrunner Emporium merchant co-owners, Rene Sepulveda & Chris Edwards.
The day began under the leadership of business owner of Elite Memories Boutique Claudia Loyla rallying the troops and cleaning the streets with her volunteers beginning the day at 8 am with a commitment to create a safe, fun environment to entertain on New York Avenue for Atomicon.
Around noon vendors began arriving and the street setup began…
Flickinger Center prepared Hobbit Town for the kids…
then the crowds came and the festival was a success
To the 100s that visited Alamogordo Main Street New York Avenue Alamogordo’s Cultural Arts District thank you for joining for a wonderful night celebrating the performance arts, culture and a community of positivity.
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2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.com Influence Magazine New Mexico Features 7 Local Women of Power & So Much More
With its origins; the historic cultural arts and commerce zone of New York Avenue in Alamogordo, New Mexico, conceived by New York Avenue entrepreneur and editor Meike Schwarz; the new May/June 22 edition of Southeastern New Mexico Influence Magazine has many articles showcasing what is diverse and cool about the region. This newest edition of the print edition of the magazine launches with a launch party May 13th at Picacho Peak Brewing Co. on Friday, May 13th, at 6:00 pm at 3900 W. Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88007 phone (575) 647-4797 RSVP’s for the party are required E-mail info@influencenm.com to reserve your seats.
This author contributed three stories; one highlighting the Ghosts of New York Avenue and Alamogordo titled “Spirits from the Other Side” that is sure to enlighten and intrigue the reader, another spotlighting, “The Understated Influence of Alamogordo’s Black Churches” and a final article in collaboration with Meike Schwarz exploring the world of art from the abstracts of Bob Lombardi to other fine artist and to include the fine jewelry to journaling artisan creations of Joanne Blumenthal, resident artist of Roadrunner Emporium Fine Art, Antiques and More, Alamogordo.
There is story of hope and wellness titled “Capped from Treatment to Wellness.” Of special interest is a very enlightening story highlighting the “Day and the Life of a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner” by Jazmine Valencia with the lead story of significant interest is titled “The Right Money, Rodeo Phenom Shad Mayfield” by Vince Alexander.
The feature story showcased above photos and below explains the influence of “7 Women of Power” by Meike Schwarz and Andrew Jacquin to include: Machienvee Villanueva Lammey, Michelle Perry, Wahanama Robinson, Danii Sedillo, Tva Parks, Major Brittany “Blitz” Trimble and Alamogordo Mayor Susan Payne. Congratulations to these inspirational women for being showcased. How awesome it is to see so many talented and inspiring individuals showcased in this beautiful magazine showcasing diversity and influence and what is positive and right about Alamogordo and our region of Southern New Mexico.
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Shopping #AlamogordoMainStreet the historic New York Avenue from 1900 to present day, anchored by Roadrunner Emporium Fine Arts Gallery , Antiques & More 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo New Mexico. Now is the time to shop local, shop historic, rediscover Alamogordo’s artesian community that makes southern New Mexico so unique. Santa Fe quality Southern New Mexico pricing. Welcome back to the historic New York Avenue.
Honey & Eggs, why buy local verses at Walmart? Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo New Mexico sells local La Luz honey and local free-range farm raised eggs but why buy local? This is why!
Why would I want to purchase eggs and honey at Roadrunner Emporium verses the convenience of Walmart?
Supporting local businesses and keeping money in the local economy
You are getting local quality honey and eggs verses what may not be pure honey and the eggs are not industrial produced eggs from industrial farms.
Health benefits to purchasing local products
Local purchased Honey is better for the environment
Local Honey and Eggs verses Industrial Walmart Honey and Egg, The Story Economics of Local Purchases:
Roadrunner Emporium on New York Avenue is partnered with 40 small business owners, artists, farmers, and antiques vendors. Each are local small business professionals. The farms in La Luz, the Naturally Balanced Farms products and others are all local and purchasing supports the local economy.
When one purchases a container of honey from Walmart let us review the travel path to get to your home. Much of the honey at Walmart and other big chain retailers and big chain drug stores originated in China and technically is not honey at all. More on that in a few minutes.
Its safe to assume a large percentage of the product marketed as honey in the big chain stores originated in China and as such travels thousands of miles to a Walmart or similar distribution center via ship, train and then eventually to your local store via truck. That product was purchased for pennies in China, the major expense is not the product but the shipping to eventually get it to you.
You then purchase the product at Walmart or your big chain retailer and 90% of the money from the sale goes to the companies headquarters and then overseas. A purchase from Walmart of honey or other items does not help the local community and does not help the American economy.
Here are the facts per the Alliance on American Manufacturing specific to Walmart:
95 Percent vs. 20 Percent
Walmart China “firmly believes” in local sourcing with over 95 percent of their merchandise coming from local sources. In America, estimates say that Chinese suppliers make up 70-80 percent of Walmart’s merchandise, leaving less than 20 percent for American-made products.
Walmart’s financial records show it collected $3.9 trillion in net sales between 2005 and 2014. In 2013, the company committed to purchasing $250 billion in American-made goods by 2023 – just 6 percent of its net sales over the past decade (5% in 2014). If Walmart continues to grow at the same rate, in 2023 the company will spend just 3.2 percent on American-made goods.
Source: Walmart Stores Inc. Annual Report 2014, 2010, 2005
5 hours for $10 million
Walmart makes $34,985 in profit every minute, meaning that Walmart makes $10 million in profit approximately every five hours. For several years, Walmart has been the single largest U.S. importer of consumer goods, surpassing the trade volume of entire countries. According to the Journal of Commerce, Walmart remains the top U.S. importer.
100 For Every One More than 100 U.S. jobs were displaced for every actual or promised job created through Walmart’s Investing in American Jobs initiative.
When you purchase your honey from a local supplier or local store such as Roadrunner Emporium then you are supporting local small business owners and not a large corporation and as such you create local jobs and the money stays in the local economy.
When you buy local honey, you are getting authentic honey:
According to the FDA (as well as the food safety divisions of the World Health Organization and the European Commission), the one test that authenticates honey is the presence of pollen. If the liquid gold does not contain pollen, it is not honey. This prompted Food Safety News to test more than 60 different samples of store-bought honey for pollen. The results were damning:
76% OF GROCERY STORE “HONEY” HAD NO POLLEN IN IT!
When buying from drug stores like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS, the failure rate went as high as 100%!
However, the FDA is not checking honey sold here to see if it contains pollen. Ultra-filtering is a high-tech procedure where honey is heated, sometimes watered down and then forced at high pressure through extremely small filters to remove pollen, which is the only foolproof sign identifying the source of the honey. It is a spin-off of a technique refined by the Chinese, who have illegally dumped tons of their honey – some containing illegal antibiotics – on the U.S. market for years.
Food Safety News decided to test honey sold in various outlets after its earlier investigation found U.S. groceries flooded with Indian honey banned in Europe as unsafe because of contamination with antibiotics, heavy metal and a total lack of pollen which prevented tracking its origin.
Food Safety News purchased more than 60 jars, jugs, and plastic bears of honey in 10 states and the District of Columbia.
The contents were analyzed for pollen by Vaughn Bryant, a professor at Texas A&M University and one of the nation’s premier melissopalynologists, or investigators of pollen in honey.
Bryant, who is director of the Palynology Research Laboratory, found that among the containers of honey provided by Food Safety News:
•76 percent of samples bought at groceries had all the pollen removed. These were stores like Safeway, Giant Eagle, QFC, Kroger, Metro Market, Harris Teeter, A&P, Stop & Shop and King Soopers.
•100 percent of the honey sampled from drugstores like Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS Pharmacy had no pollen.
•77 percent of the honey sampled from big box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, and H-E-B had the pollen filtered out.
•100 percent of the honey packaged in the small individual service portions from Smucker, McDonald’s and KFC had the pollen removed.
•Bryant found that every one of the samples Food Safety News bought at farmers markets, co-ops and “natural” stores like PCC and Trader Joe’s had the full, anticipated, amount of pollen.
Purchasing honey at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue means you are getting real honey that is full of pollen and has the health benefits of local grown honey.
Health Benefits to Purchasing Local, Honey Eggs and Products:
Local bees make local honey, which means the pollen they collect and bring back to the hive is all sourced from local plants. Since many seasonal allergies are caused by these same plants, eating honey that contains that pollen can possibly combat those allergies, the idea behind trace-exposure to allergens to desensitize patients to food allergies is one that is gaining steam.
In addition to potentially fighting allergies, one of the great benefits of local honey is that it is unprocessed and pure. The stuff you find in the grocery stores is often filtered, a process that removes the trace amounts of pollen it might contain and as detailed above is not pure and real honey. The purer the honey, the stronger its medicinal benefits, like potential anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Local honey is known to be the best remedy for cough. This may be the best health benefit of honey. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend honey as the best natural remedy for cough. Honey is even better than some of the common medications for cough. Research shows that a tablespoon of honey can reduce the irritation in the throat. In addition, it reduces cough symptoms and helps in better sleep more than cough medications.
Good-quality and pure local honey contain some important antioxidants that are beneficial for your health. Antioxidants are your body’s natural defense against diseases and promote good health. They reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks and some types of cancer. Antioxidants basically slow down the dangerous disease processes in your body. They work by destroying the free radicals in your body – compounds that can damage healthy cells. Research shows that honey contains variable amounts of polyphenols. These are powerful antioxidants that help in reducing the risk of cancer and heart diseases. Polyphenols are also present in fruits, vegetables, green tea, and olive oil.
The sweet taste of honey makes it a natural replacement of sugar. It contains about 38% of fructose and 31% of glucose which makes it sweet in taste. Sugar has a lot of harmful effects on your health and contains no nutrients, but only empty calories. Due to this reason, honey is supposed to be a better option than sugar.
Another major health benefit of local honey is its healing effects. Since ancient times, people are using it to heal burns and wounds and it is still common today. These healing powers of honey come from its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Studies show that honey is most effective in healing partial thickness burns and infected wounds after surgery. Another study published in The Cochrane Library says that “topical honey is cheaper and better than other interventions like antibiotics – which may have other side effects.” In addition, honey can also be used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, which can have serious complications. On top of that, it can nourish skin tissues and can help in treating other skin conditions.
So rather the convenience of purchasing honey at Walmart or the big box retailers, take 5 more minutes and stop by a local store such as Roadrunner Emporium and purchase your local produced honey to ensure you are getting a local product that is pure and have the health benefits of real honey verses an over processed honey like product.
Local Purchases of Honey, Eggs and other products are Better for the Environment:
Different flavors of honey are available at Roadrunner Emporium and the flavors are based on the plants pollinated. Local plant life in La Luz and other honey producing farms factors into the local honey-making process. The honey produced at the farm comes in different flavors, including the traditional wildflower, orange etc. These flavors do not come from additives, however. Instead, they are created based on the plants from which the bees draw pollen. Releasing the farm-raised bees into select local plant life not only creates some incredible honey flavors, but it also helps pollinate the plants, which is beneficial to all local wildlife.
Besides benefiting the plant life, supporting local honey helps the bee population as well. Since bees are now endangered, it is more vital than ever to support local bee farmers in New Mexico and beyond who are helping raise and maintain healthy bees.
Another benefit of local verses the large store purchases is the carbon footprint. A jar of honey produced in China, shipped over on an ocean liner, carried by train to a warehouse and then trucked to the local store consumes lots of gas and spews lots of carbon into the air to get you that little jar of honey. However, is you purchase local La Luz honey or honey from your local community you are further reducing the carbon footprint and helping the environment.
So drop by and purchase your fresh eggs or honey, natural soaps and oils and artwork and antiques and other repurposed goods from, Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue. Roadrunner Emporium is a local Main Street Alamogordo business, that is committed to enhancing the local community, providing alternatives to a healthier lifestyle, and enriching our community with offerings fine arts, antiques and locally procured products in a safe engaging environment that brings value to the Alamogordo community. Drop by Roadrunner Emporium and meet the 40 artisans and partner small businesses that offer unique and engaging products and are a vital part of the Alamogordo small business community.
Author Chris Edwards Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media
Angelina Flowing Ivy, Wood and Lava Rock Natural Native American Inspired Sculpture Artist Rene Sepulveda available at artistrenesepulveda.com or at Roadrunner Emporium & Fine Arts Gallery Alamogordo New Mexico
“Angelina” Flowing Ivy, Abstract Wooden Basket and Lava Rock Natural Native American Inspired Sculpture by Artist Rene Sepulveda
“Angelina” A Flowing Ivy, Abstract Wood Basket and Lava Rock Natural Sculpture by the Artist Rene Sepulveda was crafted as a piece to honor his 80-year-old aunt Bertha Angelina Sepulveda Rommel. The historic symbolism of ivy, central to the sculpture by Rene Sepulveda as it reaches out of the wooden basket deals with connections of family, because of its propensity to interweave in growth. Ever furrowing and intertwining, the ivy is an example of the twists and turns our relationships and family connections take – but also a testimony to the long-lasting connections and bonds we form that last over the years. Ivy is further considered a symbol of survival and determination for the same reasons. It seems to be virtually indestructible and will often return after it has suffered damage or has been severely cut back symbolic of the indestructability of family.
This is an example of the human spirit and the strength we all have, to carry on regardless of how harrowing our setbacks may have been.
The basket is one of humankind’s oldest art forms, and it is certainly an ethnic and cultural icon filled with myth and motif, religion and symbolism, and decoration as well as usefulness. Taping in the artist Native American heritage of his ancestors he felt a wooden pieced basket was an essential part of this sculpture due to its symbolism and history as a not to his family roots. The Native Americans may well have left the greatest legacy to the world of baskets. The Indians of Arizona and New Mexico made basket-molded pottery from 5000 to 1000 B.C. as part of the earliest basket heritage. Their baskets (many of which have survived in gravesites) are heralded as a pure art form and one that was created not only by a primitive people but also by women. Basketry extended into the making of many other materials the Indians used daily including fishing nets, animal and fish snares, cooking utensils that were so finely woven that they were waterproof, ceremonial costumes and baskets, and even plaques. The Hopi, Apache, and other Pueblo tribes made coiled baskets with bold decorations and geometric patterns of both dyed and natural fibers. Thus, the bold geometric coloring and shape of the basket crafted into this artistic sculptured work by Rene Sepulveda.
The wood of which the basket hangs is of fallen branches that were gathered near the Apache Mescalero tribal basin and symbolize the strength of eternity. This strength lives on and transcends life and death representing the timeless strength of family.
The 5000-year-old lava rock of which is the sculptures base is composed of rock from the Valley of the Fire lava flow originating at Little Black Peak in Southern New Mexico. The selection of this material as the base was to signify the strength of the earth from deep within, as lava flows deep within the earth and periodically erupts, so do the emotional ties of a family. Those ties and emotional connections are buried deep and carry from one generation to the next, and on occasion erupt to show their true inner strength and strong bonds as the foundation of family.
Finally, the piece is capped with a metal Zia symbol. Given that this artistic creation was conceptualized, crafted and created with natural elements of New Mexico, Artist Rene Sepulveda found it only fitting to cap the piece with the Zia symbol which is sacred to the original people of New Mexico, from the Zia Pueblo and who regard the sun as sacred. Four is a sacred number of the Zia and can be found repeated in the points radiating from the circle.
The number four is embodied in: The compass (north, south, east, and west) The seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) The periods of each day (morning, noon, evening and night) The stages of life (childhood, youth, middle years and elderhood) The sacred aspects one must develop (a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and a devotion to the well-being of others)
That final aspect in symbolism of the Zia is what ties this artistic creation of Rene Sepulveda, entitled Angeline, together in each of those characteristics that speak of his aunt. She has always been one from youth to age 80 of strong body, clear mind, pure spirit and devotion to her family as well as the well-being of others.
Each component of this work of art independently is of beauty, but when combined into a sculptured work named “Angelina,” from the heart and mind of the Artist, Rene Sepulveda; one sees it spiritual relevance and reverence to family, presented as a visual piece of artistic beauty.
Available to be seen as part of the Valley of The Fire Collection Exhibition of Works of Artist Rene Sepulveda at 2nd Life Boutique and Gallery at Roadrunner Emporium and Fine Art Gallery, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico and is available online to ship for free anywhere in the US at https://www.etsy.com/listing/1007837864
Congratulations to the new owner of Artist Rene Sepulveda’s Abstract Sculpture titled “High Desert Bloom.” This original abstract was showcased on exhibition at the Roadrunner Emporium & Gallery at the 2nd Life Art Gallery, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico and is SOLD and enroute to a collector of fine art in Austin, Texas, USA.
About the Piece: “High Desert Bloom” Artist Rene Sepulveda created this one-of-a-kind nod to the New Mexico high desert and white sands located near Alamogordo New Mexico. The piece was crafted with 5000-year-old Lava Rock from the Valley of the Fire Lave Flow, combined with ancient fallen driftwood and replicas of desert flowers that create a unique and inspiring view of natures “High Desert Bloom”. This one-of-a-kind piece is heavy, crafted from ancient lava flow rich in iron and heavy metals. The wood is ancient from the Lincoln Forest and the flowers are replicas of flowers colorized to the artists imagination and found in the High New Mexico Desert.
About the Collection: Artist Rene Sepulveda reaches from his Native American Tarahumara tribal roots and creates works of art from 5000-year-old New Mexican Volcanic Lava Rock paired with recycled metals fallen driftwoods to create art of nature for home, office or outdoor spaces. Highly prized and highly collectable. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak located in Southern New Mexico erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. From a distance, the region appears as barren rock but when you visit the nature trails there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees, and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include a variety of desert ants, bugs, bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, lizards, great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows, and golden eagles and more.
This collection of works crafted by Artist Rene Sepulveda is inspired by his Tarahumara tribal roots as a tribute to the wildlife, flowers, cactus, and beauty of the region, crafted from recycled lava, woods and metals found from the Tularosa Basin and Sacramento Basin. The molten lava rock is repurposed rock pulled from abandoned homes and abandoned locations; repurposed into a “second life” as an “artistic sculpture” to bring joy and value to the owner of each unique piece.
Where in New Mexico would someone go to see original Root Art, Cholla Desert Cactus Art, Sculptures of Recycled Metals combined with 5000 year old lava rock, original paintings, New Mexico Photography and more? Santa Fe? Albuquerque? No, to see these original works of art and much much more one must travel to Alamogordo New Mexico’s Main Street, Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo…
Artist Rene Sepulveda Presents at Roadrunner Emporium AlamogordoAwesome window displays by local artist to inspire Roadrunner Emporium Alamogordo
Roadrunner Emporium hosts 40 partnered vendors, Artist Rene Sepulveda showcases his works that have been purchased by individuals in Europe, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United State. Rene Sepulveda does not take his art work too serous and approaches with whimsical insights but serious in their color, texture and use of natural elements procured from the natural environment.
Rene Sepulveda is credited with starting the “colorlicious styling & textured design’s” trend for in home, patio decor and fine art piece designs. His captivating sculptures crafted of Cholla Art, 5000 year old Lava Rock and/or recycled metals are being received to much acclaim and are bringing a little touch of New Mexico’s Desert in the form of artist sculptures using Cholla Cactus Skeleton, lava and metals to homes and offices throughout America.
Rene Sepulveda’s newest released collection released 3/14/2021 is “The Valley of the Fires Sculpture Collection” highlights the use of natural wonders from the Tularosa Basin combining recycled 5000 year old lava rock with recycled metals and/or distressed driftwood to create one of kind unique artistic wonders ideal for the home, patio or professional office spaces. His items ship around the world but are hosted at Roadrunner Emporium, Alamogordo.
Per the artist, “I believe that the artistry of Cholla Art, Tree Trunk Art, Root Art or Lava Rock and Metal works are unique and not well understood, in that most homeowners or business owners don’t have the knowledge of the beauty these pieces can bring to their environment. Most people have not been exposed to these kinds of sculptured works, very few artists create art with these mediums as a canvas. Most people don’t know the sense of Zen or harmony that is created by including these pieces into the home, office, or business environment. However those that venture south to Alamogordo are in for a treat. A treat of the senses. When they visit downtown Alamogordo they will find a gem of a art gallery that is part art gallery, part antiquing paradise, and more. One never knows what surprise awaits the customer that strolls into Roadrunner Emporium, Alamogordo. “
Delia Lopez Holloway showcases her works of wonder, complex design and interpretative expression on canvas. A Fine Arts Major of New Mexico State University. Her artistic creations are an expression of love, joy, beauty, calm and on occasion the exact opposite. She believes art show provoke and inspire.
The Beauty of Women A collection of Works by Delia Lopez Holloway Roadrunner Emporium & Gallery, Alamogordo New Mexico ( Alamogordo Town News 2nd Life MediaAn Expression of Exquisite Color and Complexity on Exhibition Roadrunner Emporium & Art Gallery, Alamogordo New Mexico by Delia Lopez Holloway ( Alamogordo Town News 2nd Life Media)
Photography such as from the infamous California nature photographer Janet Thornton. Scenes from California, New Mexico and the natural environment around us…
“Moss” A Photograph in Nature Janet Thornton Gallery Roadrunner Emporium“Wisteria” A Photographic expression of color by Janet Thornton Galleries at Roadrunner Emporium Alamogordo (Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
The photography of history and abandon of New Mexico by Author, Display Artist and Photographer Chris Edwards 2nd Life Gallery, Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo.
Photography of Author Chris Edwards Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early DaysPhotography of Author Chris Edwards Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early DaysPhotography of Author Chris Edwards Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early Days
The Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo is owned by Debra Reyes and is dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural arts and downtown redevelopment of the Alamogordo Main Street District. It is located in a historic building that is clean, fresh and historic. Come check out the best art gallery in Alamogordo for art and more 10 to 5 daily. Closed Sundays.
Rene Sepulveda former NCAA Award winning Track and Field Coach, Rehabilitative Coachturned artist creates sculptured works. One art critic recently said of his works that they are “incisive meditations of colorishis designs, shapes and composition complimenting natures wonders using lava rocks, tree roots, tree trunks, bark, cholla desert cactus as components of his canvas.”
Artist Rene Sepulveda’s carefully constructed sculptures and art installations are abstract interpretative works that rely heavily on the influence of nature for texture and symmetry, for rural to urban spaces.
We sat down with the man who wears many hats; Former Award Winning NCAA Coach, Rehabilitative Fitness Coach, Author and Artist Rene Sepulveda, to find out more about his processes, inspiration, and his unique artistic journey with the release of his most recent exhibition the “Valley of The Fire Collection” With this interview he is also releasing two sculptured works, a tree trunk abstract sculptured piece called “Baily Canyon” which is a stunning blend of a hallowed out tree trunk textured, preserved and intriguingly colored then placed on a bed of lava rock and combined with local treated and colored natural cactus to make a stunning visual display.
The second piece to be released today he calls “Stark NM” it is a combination natural wood, recycled metals and woods crafted into a one of a kind abstract piece sitting on a Zia stone with lava. This intricate piece is a dazzling array of colors that inspires awe in its bold colors and unusual textures.
How would you describe the sculptures and artwork you create?
“My goal is to create compelling works that draw the viewer in to explore the underlying structure of color, texture and the natural elements created by mother nature. My hope is that the initial reaction is an emotional response to the color relationships, the contrasting textures between the flat and fluid paint and the hard edges and gestural marks that are embedded in the pieces as marks of nature. I want the person to enjoy my sculptured pieces and to be rewarded as they soak into the piece so that the placing of each element, the precise color balance, the textures, and carefully calibrated proportions of my sculptures are revealed to our inner senses. The inspiration comes from both natural and man-made elements and share my preoccupation with patterns, colors, textures, and the natural elements of nature.”
What message do you want to get across with your artistic works?
“I tap into my Native American roots. I believe I’m empowered by my grandfather’s ancestors in how I commune with nature to bring harmony and balance to my art pieces. I believe nature is complex in texture color. I know that harmony can be achieved to create an appealing and interesting work of art when we reconcile vastly different and contrasting colors and textures using techniques and processes that I’ve created to enhance natures work to be placed into an urban or rural household, office, or place of business.
I believe that the artistry of Cholla Art, Tree Trunk Art, Root Art or Lava Rock and Metal works are unique and not well understood, in that most homeowners or business owners don’t have the knowledge of the beauty these pieces can bring to their environment.
Most people have not been exposed to these kinds of sculptured works, very few artists create art with these mediums as a canvas.
Most people don’t know the sense of Zen or harmony that is created by including these pieces into the home, office, or business environment.
I’ve created works where chance takes over as the prominent sense and caused me to be fluid with colors and textures. The colors and textures then take over my mind and through my hands flows the wonder of color and texture. Sometimes it flows through me like a force of gravity down the surface of the art piece showing a series textures and colors from my mind that are then frozen in time to create a timeless piece of art.
Several of my creations become art dense in color and texture with very defined creations begun my nature that eventually show a high degree of control but are complex in their inspiration of color. I see this as the human impact on the natural world that is expressed with the culmination of taking objects from nature such as complex root art systems, tree trunks, unique fallen forest wood pieces, 5000 year old lava rock, unique cholla desert cactus skeletons and using them as the canvas for human expression of color and texture.
Patterns of all kinds fascinate me, including the hidden structures of living things. Tinting, repeat sequences, geometric shapes and grids, pre-historic symbols and pottery designs and the underlying laws that dictate how the natural world evolves influences my craft. The influence of all of that finds a way into my work, which I don’t really consider to be pure color or texture abstraction. Maybe interpretative abstract sculpturing is a better term for my works. I use very defined textures but counterbalance with color and the canvas of nature in my sculptured works. My work is all inspired by something I have seen or felt which has sparked my imagination. Nature is the foundation of hope for the world we live. That hope comes with a responsibility to acknowledge natures role in our daily lives, to embrace it and to appreciate its influence, by its placement, through art into our homes, offices, or businesses.”
How did you come to mixing texturing and color design in your natural art sculptures?
“Textures and colors of all kinds have always intrigued me, most especially the colors and textures of nature. When I was young and an Olympic Trials Athlete, I would run 100s of miles weekly in the mountains, the desert floor and in the woods and always along those runs, I could almost feel the colors and the textures of the natural elements around me.
So when I began exploring my artistic side, the ideas of color and texture were a natural expression of what I had absorbed from my time outdoors. On my travels around the world, I’m always attracted to the colors and textures of our ancient ancestors. The geometric abstraction in colors and shapes of the Inca’s in Peru, the geometry of the Pyramids in Egypt, my travels to my mother’s homeland of Ireland, the imaging of my grandfather’s ancestral tribes of the Tarahumara; each imprinted on my mind. Those influences’ flow through me into each art piece I create with color, textures, and design.”
Do specific colors and forms hold definite meanings in your work?
“For me color complemented with texturing is the most important part of creating art to be enjoyed. The relationship between the size, shape, texture, and color of each art form to ensure it compliments natures handiwork is of highest priority to me. The dominance of each color, the warmth or coolness, flatness, or texture, as well as denseness and fluidity, are hopefully resolved so that there is a restless balance that is appealing to the eyes and inspires the heart of those who are viewing my creations. My appreciation for color and texture began with me, in appreciate of Georgia Totto O’Keeffe’s paintings of enlarged flowers and New Mexico landscapes. O’Keeffe recognized as the Mother of American modernism certainly had an influence on me. Similarly Antoni Gaudi of Barcelona remarkable for his range of forms, textures, and for the free, expressive way in which these elements of his art seem to be composed have always inspired my own appreciation for colors and textures.
The colors and textured in each piece have symbolic meaning for me. The earth colors are often mixed directly with the piece to form the landscaped base and then the real creativity begins. I see color and texture as an evolutionary process, building up layers and design elements to reflect light and darkness differently with each vantage point. In some designs the colors of the urban world show though as they are attached to a piece created in the natural environment of forest or deserts. What is crafted is a contrast that is appealing and inspiring to the observer. Colors of reds and yellows remind me of the sunsets within nature and the natural elements of sunflowers which bring joy. The various grays, blacks and coppers define a more commercial manufactured world but when combined with the textures of nature they then bring meaning of wholeness with nature to me and hopefully the observer.”
Have the goals of your work changed during the Covid-19 lockdown and do you have advice for an aspiring artist?
“I have a hard time viewing myself as an artist. My business partner jokes with me and tells me once I began selling my works, I became a professional artist. I don’t know if I’d ever view myself as an artist, certainly not a professional artist, as I have a Masters in Epidemiology and a Master’s in Public Health. I Coached for over 20 years at the university level and competed professionally. I continue to coach as a rehabilitative coach today. However, the Covid lockdown did provide me an opportunity for reflection and a period of isolation without distractions to explore and expand on the artist within. With the support of family and my business partner, I’ve created some fun pieces that I am immensely proud to have been able to craft. Some people seem to enjoy my work. Some pieces are a bit eccentric, abstract, and sometimes confusing but overall the reaction has been incredibly positive, and we have sold several hundred pieces even with a pandemic going on. For that I am humbled and surprised. Each art piece I create is almost like a child to me. I nurture it and collaborate with it and want to ensure each piece goes to a good home or business where it will be cared for and cherished for years to come.
I can see preoccupations, moods and themes running throughout my artistic journey. My aim is to create a balanced work that is balanced between color, and texture and complimented by the canvas of nature. Those are competing forces which are the canvas that work as the inspiration in my work.
My advice for an artist starting out would be, just do it. It doesn’t matter if you are an art major or an art novice, it doesn’t matter if you are 12, 18, 25, 55 or 70 everyone has art within themselves, but few will ever express the art they have the potential to create. The world needs art, color, complex designs, and simple beauty. If its within you, do it, put it out there and just do it. Everyone of us wants to express ourselves from within, in some way; some write, some create art, some craft music, or performance arts. Whatever is within you, just believe in yourself and just do it.”
Learn More About Coach, Author and Artist Rene Sepulveda. Several of his pieces are showcased online via the 2nd Life Boutique and an Etsy Store. Rene Sepulveda’s more exclusive pieces are showcased on the artist website ArtistReneSepulveda.com. Many of his pieces are showcased and can be seen in person at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo, New Mexico. A few of his largest installation pieces are showcased on exhibition in the yards and homes in and around Northern California and Southern New Mexico. His recently released 9 foot by 8 foot complex root art piece he calls “Ventricle” and his extraordinary 9 Foot Tall sculptured abstract tree trunk artistry sculpture called, “Bailey Canyon” and his other awesome piece called “Stark NM” can be found on exhibition at 2 private residences on McKinley Street in Alamogordo, New Mexico and are available for viewing. All are sold via his website ArtistReneSepulveda.com or at a discounted price when purchased in person and for pickup via the 2nd Life Boutique at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo New Mexico.
To schedule a viewing in person and a discussion with the artist or for more information contact Mr. Sepulveda’s publicist coachedwards@2ndlifemedia.com or call 707.880.6238
Chris Edwards Author, Mentor/Executive Coach & Political Consultant 