The Colors of Taos

On Saturday, I spent a couple of hours walking around the plaza in Taos looking specifically for things with bright colors to match my bright springtime mood.  In the soft spring sunshine, they were easy to find.

Despite the predominately earth tones of its adobe and stucco buildings, Taos is splashed with brilliantly colored windows, doors and sidewalk art, along with many surprises.

Taos was established around 1615 as Fernandez de Taos, following the Spanish conquest of the Indian Pueblo villages in the area.  The name Taos derives from the Native Taos language meaning "place of the red willows."

Beginning around 1900, artists began to settle in Taos, forming the Taos Society of Artists in 1915.  In time, the Taos art colony developed, and art remains a strong influence in the town's culture today.

As I stepped out of my truck and onto Paseo del Pueblo Sur, I spotted this couple strolling past turquoise-painted store fronts.  The man's t-shirt and the woman's skirt picked up the colors of the store fronts, tile roofs, and the wares displayed on the sidewalks.  Even her bag picked up the surrounding colors.

Color-coordinated Couple

Taos is nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and the mountains are visible from anywhere  in town.

Mountain View 

With the warm springtime temperatures and a sunny, dry day, lots of folks brought their classic cars out of winter storage to cruise the streets of Taos.  I barely snapped this 1956 Chevy Bel Air post, complete with wire wheels, as it whizzed by.  Nice!

Chevy Bel Air

I continued up Paseo del Pueblo Sur where I passed a shop showing these metal wind bells.  I couldn't resist snapping this cheerful and artfully done display.  Notice how the bells' wind catchers follow the top line of the shrubs.

Wind Bells

After enjoying an ice cream cone and exploring side streets for a while, I turned towards the plaza.  Here I encountered this wooden Indian guarding a store front.

Store Front Indian

Just look at this fun and inviting toy store.  What child - of any age - could resist!

Toy Store

In the plaza park, I encountered several of these benches. The cameos on the bench backs each show what appears to be a European agricultural scene.  If anyone reading this knows the significance or symbolism of these, I'd sure like to know.

Park Bench

I browsed many of the art galleries and shops that surround the plaza, but none showed anything as fun and whimsical as these larger-than-life metal chickens.

Colorful Chickens

To find out more about what to see and do in Taos, click here.  This site provides lots of ideas and info on restaurants, galleries and seasonal activities.

I also captured a couple of new images to add to my Southwest Windows collection, and I'll have them up on my website soon.

Cheers til later....Gail.
www.gailyovanphotos.com

All images and text ©2014 Gail Diane Yovanovich