Steeped in the vibrant colors of his native New Mexico and rendered with the uninhibited imagination of a child, Ed Sandoval’s paintings are as recognizable as the artist himself, who has been known to ride his Arabian horse, Patron, through Taos Plaza dressed as Zorro with a mask, cape and sword.
High Mountain Vista, oil on canvas, 36 x 48"
Tapping into his own boyhood memories growing up on a small ranch, Sandoval has become known for scenes depicting rural Southwest life and culture within enchanted landscapes under dynamic desert skies. Most of his paintings are inspired by vistas close to home, but his most recent work—which will be shown in his upcoming show, Distant Vistas—draws from road trips through southern New Mexico in the early part of the year, prompting paintings of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the Gila River.
Moonlight Sparkles, oil on canvas, 34 x 21"
“Renowned artist Ed Sandoval reigns as having one of the most important voices of heritage for New Mexico through the depictions of New Mexico’s rural culture as it relates to the varied landscapes and ever-changing skies of the region,” says Canyon Road Contemporary gallery owner, Nancy Ouimet. “Sandoval has been painting for nearly 70 years and has mastered his craft and his message, which is at once humble and mystical.” 
Returning Home, oil on canvas, 36 x 48"
While Distant Vistas showcases work that depicts lesser-known regions of the Land of Enchantment, fans of Sandoval’s work and el Viejitot—the little old man who often appears walking, alone or with a companion through a dancing palette of color—will be glad to know that Sandoval’s signature character made the journey with him.
“The story of New Mexico is told from the perspective of el Viejita and la Viejita, as they implore the viewer to follow along and step into magical rural and wild scenes,” explains Ouimet.
The idea for El Viejito was born on the set of Robert Redford’s 1988 film, The Milagro Beanfield War, which was shot in the mountain village of Truchas, NM, where Sandoval then lived. 
Rain Over Black Mesa, oil on canvas, 48 x 60"
“One of the main characters was an old man with a walking stick, and I spent a lot of time with him talking about life and adventures,” recalls Sandoval. “When I saw them filming him it just resonated with me and I started doing some paintings of him while thinking about my grandparents, spending time with them, loving them and hearing their stories. I felt that this imagery was very important in my work because it represents the culture and stories of New Mexico.”
Distant Vistas opens on July 22, followed by an artist demonstration on Saturday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. —
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