Ed Sandoval: Best Artist

I always wanted to be an artist, but my dream was helped along by a car. When I was about 6, I was with my brother and cousin, laying on the side of a dirt road looking down at some water in a ditch. A car up the hill came out of park, rolled down the hill and hit us. I was at home in a body cast for about a year and had no way to entertain myself (no TV, etc.), so my dad — who worked in the labs at Los Alamos — scraped together some money and sent for an art correspondence course. For a year while I healed, I drew and painted. From that moment, I was hooked on art. 

Fave perk of your job?

As a painter, I get to look at our beautiful Northern New Mexico landscapes while remembering and capturing the scenes of my boyhood on the canvas. I’m nostalgic about my past. I felt safe, loved and an overwhelming sense of belonging. Painting those memories erases time and I almost relive my boyhood. 

If you could invite three people (alive or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

I’ve read so many artists’ biographies, and I’m fascinated by their lives. I’d have to say top guest would be Vincent Van Gogh, because I want to talk about his painting style and learn the truth about his death. I’d also invite Leonardo da Vinci, who I think had the most expansive, creative and insightful mind in history. And Paul Cezanne if he promised to take a bath first. (Brilliant painter but lacking in the hygiene department …)

Best book you’ve read in the past year? Tell us a little about why you liked it.

“Telluride Top of the World: A Novel” by Tom Tatum, who is a friend of mine. I really got into the main character, Cooper, as he tried to keep his ranch together and safe from greedy developers, bankers, challengers to his water rights, etc. 

What’s a song that really moves you and why?

“Desperado.” Lynn Anderson sang that song at a horse show, and a prince from Saudi Arabia was so moved by her song that he gifted her a magnificent brown Arabian, whose sire was THE Desperado. After a time, Lynn realized that she traveled too much to properly care for such a spirited horse, so she gave it to me. That’s how I came to own Patron, the brown Arabian you’ll see in my pasture to this day. 

Taos dish you’ve eaten the most?

I’m particularly fond of menudo, which is made from tripe and I get at Guadalajara Grill quite a bit, and chicharron burritos. I guess they remind me of my mom’s cooking.

Besides your current job, what’s the best job you’ve had? 

For years and years and years, I had my own construction company and built adobe homes all over the Southwest and even in places like California and Florida. I love working with adobe, and to this day I create projects for myself so I can “keep my hand in” so to speak. I just finished building an adobe courtyard wall, and it’s beautiful. 

Favorite thing to do when you’re stressed?

Take a gummy. LOL. No, I suppose relaxing in front of a fire with a good glass of wine. (Cabernet Two Buck Chuck is my everyday wine, but for special occasions I’ll take a good Malbec.) 

Favorite walk in Taos? Because … ?

I don’t really walk in Taos proper, but I love hiking up and down arroyos. There are several on our property, and I find something new and interesting (tree root structures, rocks, animal prints) every time I hike in them. 

Something you’d like to see more of in Taos?

Our unique and historic pueblo architecture is truly remarkable, and I’m thankful that Taos has taken steps to ensure that new construction adheres to its style and spirit. Unfortunately, I don’t think there are the codes necessary to encourage if not enforce basic upkeep, especially with absentee landlords for the historic area. I’d like to see more repairs and refreshing of exteriors, and I would really like to see LESS of Indian Hills, which is the most horrible eyesore that has ever existed in Taos.