Bienvenidos

     My name is Marian McKenzie and I live in small rural town in New Mexico in an area known as the Rio Abajo.  New Mexico is the land of faith. Dating back as far as the Spanish settlers to the present day, the faithful have had a need for expressions of faith.

I am a santera, an artist who paints representations of the Saints known collectively as Santos. Santos are devotional art which include traditional hand painted retablos, bultos (statues), straw appliqué crosses, and colcha needlework. They are expressions of our faith. And still today we have the need ... a primal need that has not ceased. We need these images to keep us on our path.

     I grew up in a strong Catholic home yet it was not until I taught at  the small Catholic school of St. Mary's  that I truly discovered my faith and found a means to express it.  I am primarily a self taught artist except for a workshop I took on natural pigments with the santero, Charlie Carrillo.  My works are totally a product of my faith and where I live. I am a juried artist and my pieces can be found in collections world wide but closer to home you can find my pieces at Tome Art Gallery. 
 
Saints provide us with wonderful role models. They are not worshiped; they are venerated and asked to help pray to God for our needs. Having a retablo in your home can be a gentle reminder of your own spiritual journey.  I want others to be able to feel God's love when they look upon my work. Through my art, I hope to pass on to you and others the many blessings God has bestowed on me.

This is my journey. This is my faith. This is my art!

My retablos are available at Tome Art Gallery and through this web site.
Special commissions are also available.
Please email me for additional information.

marian@marianart.org

All Images are Copyrighted 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.

Coming Events!
Tome Art Gallery 10th Annual Santos Show
2930 Highway 47 at Patricio Road in Tome, New Mexico
March 14th - 30th  2008
Meet the Artists Opening Reception:  Sunday, March 16th  2- 4PM