An Affair to Remember.......

"Tesoro"

"Away"

.......an art affair in Santa Fe, that is.  I recently wrote about winning 2 awards in a photo contest I was brave enough to enter, and I just returned from my quick weekend in Santa Fe to take part in the reception and opening night of a month long showing of the winning images. What a weekend it was!   My image of "Tesoro" (second place) even made 2 Santa Fe papers (one shown below)!

Santa Fe Journal

But, first, let me back up a little.  The weekend wouldn't have been as mar-ve-lous as it was if I hadn't been joined by my friends - Leslie Anne, Katy and Cara.  We four did the town up right.....from boot buying in town .........

Vintage Boots at "Traders Collection"

Vintage Ladies in Vintage Boots??? Nah!

......to shadow playing on Canyon Rd......

Cara, Katy and me on Canyon Rd

Katy doing "The Crane"

........and just generally goofing off........... 

Katy and Leslie Anne give a "2 thumbs up" to Santa Fe

Always the horse trainer!

In front of Gregg's photo "Ghost Horse" on Canyon Rd

The venue for the evening was Collected Works Bookstore - a bookstore, coffee shop, gallery - which kindly donated their time and space for the event.  Dorothy  and her daughter Mary, who own the store, were the most gracious of hosts, and I enjoyed getting to know them both.

On my way to the "Grand Reception"!

Dorothy welcoming the crowd

Leslie Anne and I showing off our brochures

The reception and showing of the winning works, along with the book signings by the judges, was joined by a sneak peek preview of a new documentary by filmmaker James Anaquad Kleinert - "Wild Horses and Renegades" - about the plight of the wild horses in America. 

James gave a little talk about the film, and he and I are looking into having him  show the film here in Grass Valley soon!  Check out his web site for more about him and his films.  We ladies were hoping that Viggo Mortensen would be at the reception, (he is featured in the film)  but..........alas!

James introduces his film

Jackie Fleming, who runs the non - profit Cimarron Sky Dog Horse Sanctuary - also talked about the plight of the mustangs in her state of New Mexico.

Jackie talks about the wild horses

When the evening was over, Gregg Albracht, Tony Stromberg (two of the three judges), Jackie and we ladies adjourned to La Fonda restaurant for a late meal and re-living of the evening, which, of course, was a smashing success!   

Gregg, Leslie Anne, me, Tony, Jackie, Cara and Katy

It's still hard for me to believe that I have images hanging in Santa Fe, but seeing is believing - and I was there in person!

I want to thank all of you who made it possible for me to make this trip (ya'll know who you are); I want to thank Gregg for taking his time to show us ladies all the best places in town - you're the best; and Jackie for doing such a great job of putting on her first photo contest; and I want to thank my friends Leslie Ann, Katy and Cara for making this trip the BEST EVER!!

Leslie Anne - this one's for you

(Double Dog Dare)!!!

The photos in this post were a compilation of images from the cameras of Lesley, Leslie Ann, Katy and Cara.