At first glance, Taos appears like a town that has past its glory days. We are in search of a bakery or coffee shop and all are closed. The local barber tells us that staffing has been an issue since covid, and that the galleries don’t open until 11 or afternoon.
As we stroll, we come upon the plaza, and discover this is where the action is on a saturday. The farmers market has drawn a crowd and there is live music. Adjacent to the plaza is a modern pedestrian mall with galleries, boutique shops and cafes. We enjoy visiting the many small galleries and I am drawn to the work of a watercolor artist who runs a gallery with his work and that of a few others. Lynn McLain’s paintings resemble photographs and he spends some time explaining his technique; I am inspired to try this medium.
All in all, Taos though artsy and quaint, was not what I had expected. I had envisioned more outdoor sculptures, murals, artists at work in open studios and demonstrations. I was hoping to see art being created and not just being sold – it was a bit too commercialized for me. In retrospect, a day trip would have sufficed.
