Guest Artists

Barbara Knupper - Fiber Artist

I learned to weave on one of those square red metal looms, turning out potholders the summer of my 8th year. Then I really learned to weave while attending Northern Illinois University (Bachelor of Arts degree), and a few years later I really learned to weave at the Webschule Sindelfingen (a weaving trade school in Germany). And since then I’ve been weaving, and teaching weaving, and exploring the world that textile arts present.

At this time, my focus is primarily on creating “Art to Wear”. The way handwoven cloth drapes, and the unique way that colors blend and interact on the loom offer endless possibilities. It’s a joy to the senses. The idea of “slow fashion” is quite real, and each piece I create speaks to the fact that humans have created clothing for warmth and self-expression for millennia. I love sharing this awareness with my clients.

Deb Kinney - Pyrographer

I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I am the youngest of three children. Even from an early age, I was always interested in various forms of art. In school, I took as many art classes as possible. After finishing high school, I attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Here, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Arts, followed by an Associate of Fine Arts degree.

I am the very proud mother of three children and their spouses, and the grandmother of three boys, with two standard poodles completing the family.

When I was eight years old, I discovered my brother's wood-burning kit; I was hooked. From that day on, I burned on many things, though mostly wood. For a while, I had abandoned burning, returning to it later in life. These days we call it pyrography, the freehand art of decorating wood and other materials with a burning tool. Now, this art form has taken on many diverse new objects to burn. I work with many unique materials to create my special form of art, primarily with wood, but also leather, hats, wool, felt, jeans, and paper. After I burn on a piece, I often use watercolor, colored pencils, ink, and acrylics to enhance the design and add color. My passion also includes carving and tooling leather.

	Hat pyrography	Zia
Pyrography turtle

Stan Ford - Photography

Stan Ford is an award-winning nature photographer specializing in landscapes and wildlife. He has earned first place awards in numerous international photography contests and his photographs have been included in multiple shows, exhibitions and publications. In 2016, he served the National Park Service as the “first-ever” Artist-in-Residence at Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico and currently teaches workshops at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Nature photography and sharing his work has become his raison d'être.

Mesa Arch Sunrise	Missing Cabin & the Milky Way	Valle Grande Summer
Waiting for Dinner	Morning Flight	Around the Bend

Clever D. Garcia - Acrylic Painting

Clever D Garcia, aka Than Ta, meaning Painted Sun in the Northern New Mexico Tewa language. Born to the late Gordon I Garcia, and Angela J Vigil. Clever’s father originates from Ohkay Owingeh and his mother from Tesuque Pueblo. Born into the arts at an early age, Clever Garcia started finger painting and watercolors in his early education. Being drawn to mechanical pencil and colored pencil in his high school career. Clever eventually discovered a paint brush and acrylic paints, as well as sculpting, ceramics, writing and mediation

In the Summer of 2016, Clever Garcia won an internship to be a part of the Walt Disney Imagineering: Place Makers internship in Glendale California, where he shadowed Imagineer art directors and painted replicas and modulars of their future coming attractions: Star Wars: Galaxy Edge. Garcia returned to New Mexico and graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the Spring of 2017. Completing his BFA in Studio Arts and Minor in Creative Writing.

Accompanied by his Senior exhibition “Pueblo Revolt: 1680 Series” in the Fall of 2016. Clever Garcia went on to exhibit at the Poeh Cultural Center in Pojoaque Pueblo on March 2, 2018. Exhibited more of his paintings and “Pueblo Revolt: 1680 Series” as well as newer printmaking works, he created from his senior year at IAIA. Since then, Garcia has been in several artistic shows, and pop-up events throughout New Mexico including the First Pathways in 2019 and Pathways 2023, SWAIA Winter Market 2023 and Krypt and Morgue Fest summer of 2023. Clever Garcia currently resides in Alburquerque NM, exhibiting in local galleries, painting in real time, and pushing the creative conscience of human spirituality and pueblo existence plus experience.

Artist Statement:

Born in the Summer of 1992 on August 15, under the Leo sun, created to inspire, dream, and uplift people. Inspired to help bring out the inner flame in humanity, that creative spark that ignites the inner artist within all of us. As a Native first and American second, I have a calling to uphold the traditional ways as well as navigating this modern world and its complexity. Bridging the old traditions of the Pueblo people, to the newer indigenous generations of the future and those willing to learn the traditional arts, New Mexico history and human creative conscience.

Britta Brunet - Acrylic and Watercolor Paintings

My name is Britta Brunet, a New Mexico local born and raised. I've been painting since I was 12 years old - a passion rooted in my childhood spent creating alongside my grandma. Those early memories sparked a lifelong love for art, leading me to pursue my craft and develop my unique style over the years.

Today, I specialize in abstract realism, with a focus on animals. I’m drawn to the balance between precision and freedom — I love painting small, thoughtful details while also embracing loose brushwork and bold, expressive color. My preferred media are watercolor and acrylic, which allow me to blend control with spontaneity in every piece.

Each painting is a reflection of wonder, movement, and connection — a glimpse into the beauty I see in creation and the emotion behind it. Thank you for taking the time to explore my work. I hope it speaks to you."

Bear Cub	Soft Gaze - Owl	Fog is coming - deer
Horse	Coyote	Curious Fox
Owls	Beauty Evolved

Larry Colon - Wood Sculptor

Larry started carving in 2010. His passion is carving Walking Sticks and canes. While living in Albuquerque, New Mexico he joined the Rio Grand WoodCarvers of New Mexico. It was during his time in the group that he found a new passion for carving birds, other animals and flowers. He has received many first place ribbons at the New Mexico State Fair. He also shares his talent by teaching at the Senior Centers and the Bio Park in Albuquerque, inspiring young and old alike.

Flowers	Blue Jay	Road Runner

Diane Castillo - Jewelry

Diane is a native New Mexican who spent her first career as a psychologist in the VA specializing in PTSD. Throughout her career she engaged in various art mediums through classes in pencil/charcoal, watercolor, sculpture, and pastels, as well as created wall art in quilting.

For the past 10 years and since retirement, Diane has fully emersed into designing unique artistic jewelry, which began with beading and for the past 8 with wire weaving/wrapping. Her work combines a blend of intricate wire weaving patterns and the use of gemstones and beads to center stage or compliment the full artistic expression of each piece. Her jewelry creations reflect a distinct southwestern influence and her Hispanic heritage, such as the multicolored wire wrapped Sugar Skull. She is also inspired by nature and animals with the Gecko or fetish Bear design. Her jewelry designs include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bolos, and rings. Her award-winning original designs have been shown in a variety of venues such as regional juried shows and galleries. She has taught classes in wire work.

SS Swirl Collar Necklace w Black Indigo Gabro

Kristy Green - Ceramics

Kristy was born and raised in Ham Lake, Minnesota, as the youngest of six. From an early age, she was captivated by all forms of art. She began working with ceramics in her sophomore year of high school and never stopped. While majoring in studio art with a focus in painting at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, she accepted a dream job at Deneen Pottery in St. Paul before completing her degree.

After two years of learning the art of production pottery, Kristy moved to Albuquerque for a more creative opportunity—and warmer weather. She now works as a studio assistant and instructor at Creativity Warehouse, which has allowed her to focus more deeply on developing her own artistic style. Having a painting background, she is especially drawn to combining both mediums by hand-painting illustrations with underglaze onto her pottery.