Georgia On My Mind
Much of my New Mexico explorations were rooted in my adoration for the late great Georgia O’Keefe. Imagine my surprise when I wandered around the Denver Art Museum and discovered that a Georgia O’Keefe photography exhibit was about to open. Georgia passionately pursued the perfect beauty of nature and the majesty of light. She found the magic in New York City and the Land of Enchantment. She was wildly independent, determined to forge her own path, focused on the things that brought her pleasure, and did away with the things that dragged her down. She is a trailbrazer and inspiration to many. It was imperative that I visit the gallery before I left for LA and the Land Down Under.
Santa Fe is home to the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, an obvious first stop for any fan. Honestly, of all the beautiful things I saw and experienced in New Mexico, Abiquiu and her beloved Ghost Ranch is the absolute top of the list. The Georgia O’Keefe Trail Ride is one of my favorite excursions of my life. It was so great I had to do it twice. It was surreal to ride past the cottage she used to love to paint, the vistas that inspired dozens of paintings, and watch snow fall on the plateau on which her ashes were spread. I was so glad I came back, because visiting her beloved home in Abiquiu was incredibly inspiring. To see the odds and ends that she collected and valued, the views that she studied, the home that she so lovingly curated was an experience I’ll always treasure. I highly recommend a red dirt ride while listening to this charming novel about Georgia and her marriage to famed photographer (and philanderer) Alfred Stieglitz. It’s thoroughly researched, and helps provide a lot of insight into her life and work.
Imagine my surprise when I walked into the exhibit and saw hundreds of photos where I had also stood in the same spots and attempted to capture the views. I don’t know how to describe the soul song that begins when you visit hallowed ground that inspires great art. I felt the same way at Ghost Ranch and Georgia’s house that I felt when I arrived in Giverny to see Monet’s garden, and at this photo exhibit.
If you pursue your passions and make it a point to explore the things that fill your heart, the echoes will surprise you in the strangest places. I had a bit of a dramatic trip to Colorado, it was full of all kinds of surprises- good and bad. I was feeling really anxious and nervous about what comes next. A wander down the European Impressionism gallery and several hours surrounded by Georgia’s view of the world helped make mine a whole lot brighter. It’s always good to visit the greatest hits in each city, go see all the things that the guide books and instagram suggest… but sometimes it’s the serendipitous surprises that mean the most.
