A young woman came into our shop recently and, after looking around, said, “I see you have lots of wild animal art.Do you have any otters?”I responded that my art was based on animals were those you were likely to see in New Mexico.“But, we have them”, she said, “and they are making a comeback!”. What!?!It turns out, this young woman works with the otters at the aquarium. We chatted, I did some research on my own, here is what I learned:
New Mexico was a home for North American river otters, but the native population was wiped out in the 1950’s.In the early 2000’s, non-profits, tribes and government agencies worked together to reintroduce otters to the upper Rio Grande.There was some controversy – mostly due to fear that the otters might do further damage to an already at-risk native fish population.However, it appears that the otters prefer to munch on invasive crawfish and slower non-native fish species.This may actually be beneficial by freeing up habitat for the trout.
The otters that were relocated to New Mexico came were mostly trapped “nuisance” otters (causing problems for fish farmers) from the Seattle area.Rather than be euthanized, they got one-way tickets to the upper Rio Grande.They may have to work a little harder for a meal but what a sweet deal!The same story goes for our two aquarium otters Chaos and Mayhem – they were Louisiana fish farm pests and are now beloved Albuquerque Aquarium superstars.
So, I added some otters to my menagerie along with the turtle and trout.I’m working towards a collection I will call “Riverwalk”.
Other members of the “Riverwalk Collection”
You can find this artwork in our online store in stationary, wall art and pillow covers.
The village of Corrales, New Mexico is nestled in the Rio Grande river valley between the cities of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. The village, as locals call it, is part farmland and part bedroom community. You will also find a handful of local shops and restaurants but no chains. The bosque, a dense ribbon of trees that follows the Rio Grande, blocks our view of nearby Albuquerque. Rio Rancho is hidden by a tall mesa to the west. The iconic Sandia mountains shimmer on the horizon. Like most agricultural areas in central New Mexico, villagers receive irrigation water by acequias – man made canals that divert water from the Rio Grande through the farmland. It is along these acequia trails, in the bosque, that we gathered inspiration for our 2018 Along the Rio Grande textile collection.
Prickly pear and cholla cactus along an adobe wall.
Gardens
The properties along the acequias tend to be well irrigated and familiar cottage garden plants. Lilacs, honeysuckle and roses spill over fence lines and courtyard walls. But the real stars of Corrales gardens are the native high desert plants that thrive in the hot sun. Sages and pentstemon send up flowering spikes all summer long in shades of red, purple, pink and white. Bright orange trumpet vine and delicate silver lace vine provide thick fence line coverage and food for hummingbirds and bees. Chamisa spends most of the year looking like an ordinary, muted desert shrub then erupts into cascading golden branches in the late summer. Prickly pear cactus and cholla cactus gather in the un-irrigated areas.
Prickly pear, chamisa and cholla cactus along a wood fence.
Wildlife
Wildlife provides a constant source of wonder and amusement. Coyote can often be seen trotting casually along the trails but will quickly disappear into a field if a human gets close. Bunnies are everywhere. Comical roadrunners run along fence tops, stopping every few feet to fluff their feathers. And silly quail dart across the trail in groups, changing direction several times before they decide where they really wanted to go. Coopers hawks lurk in the trees and blue-tailed lizards scurry on garden walls.
Geometric motifs can be found in both local architecture and tracks on the sandy acequia trails. Adobe is a common building material in New Mexico. These naturally insulating earthen bricks are used to build houses, churches and fences. Another popular fencing method uses rows of latillas – long, narrow timbers with the bark left on – stacked tightly together and wired to a fence frame. Tracks along the trails are made by animals visiting the acequia for water – racoons, skunk, rabbits, ducks and porcupines. The mesmerizing trails of shoe and paw prints mixed with tractor and bicycle tracks show that these country lanes are well traveled.
An adobe barn in a filed of chamisa and sage.
Sky
Looking up, the New Mexico sky is another constant source of amazement. For most of the year, it is a dazzling azure blue with the occasional fluffy white cloud. Most of the annual rainfall comes from summer monsoons, heavy thunderstorms that build throughout the day and explode in the late afternoon. The thunder and lightening rattles windows and the heavy rains leave huge roadside puddles that become instant toad habitats. In the fall, the bosque skyline turns in to a bright gold as the cottonwood leaves change. The combination of green and gold against the bright blue New Mexico sky dotted with hot air balloons is just magical.
Summer sky in New Mexico
The 2018 Along the Rio Grande Textile Collection
The Collected Hands Along the Rio Grande textile collection draws inspiration from trekking the acequia trails. The designs blend vibrant hues from native flowering plants with the muted tones of the high desert. The collection includes whimsical wildlife and repeating patterns of overflowing gardens and rhythmic fences. Together, the collection evokes that sense of wonder – of “Hey, did you see that!” You can purchase these textiles by the yard via spoonflower.com and in completed products, such as pillows and notebook covers, in our retail store in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town. You can also visit us locally at the Sunday morning Corrales Makers Market. Please contact us to discuss customization of any design to meet your particular needs.
