10th Annual Quick Draw and Art Auction
Taos Center for the Arts – September 25, 2010
Couldn’t pick just one from the dozens of Taos artists taking part in the 10th Annual Quick Draw and Art Auction so we salute all the participants and their creativity. Paint brushes, tubes of paint and sculpting tools stand at the ready as the noon hour approaches. Local artists in a wide range of media begin work on creations that must be finished on site by 3pm. Patrons and browsers wander among the easels and work tables chatting, asking questions or just standing back to watch the process as each work takes shape.
At 2:50pm we hear the announcer, “Artists, you have ten minutes to finish your work.” As each piece is completed, signed, and framed they are taken to the finish line. The public can view, appraise and sign up for a bidding paddle. The auction starts at 4pm, action lively and sometimes quite competitive. Proceeds benefit the Taos Center for the Arts which provides facilities, programming and education in the visual, performing and media arts.
In the morning we viewed the shows comprising the Taos Fall Arts Festival. Quick Draw offered an opportunity to see many of 
the artists in action whose works we’d admired in the shows.. An ever changing gathering watches as horses charge across Doug Scott’s canvas. Ed Sandoval’s personality and painting quickly draws a bevy of art enthusiasts as he captures a Northern New Mexico fall scene. Pat Woodall intensely adds vibrant colors to his Ranchos church. We stop to watch Leigh Gusterson whose art we frequently admire.
In addition to painters, sculptors, potters and jewelry makers work in stone, glass, wood and silver. Live music and an appreciative audience add to the festive 
atmosphere on a perfect autumn afternoon in Taos.
As I’m sitting in the passenger seat thinking how strange this seems Bob says, “Feels funny not to be doing anything here, to just drive through.” We point out new street lights, a reopened restaurant, a road project completed since last summer, new gallery locations but keep driving. Today we’re focused on getting home. The draw of Taos is strong, we already have plans for a week this summer when we’ll see Taos up close and personal not through the windshield.
during the first half of the 20th century. The home is furnished with the family’s original belongings of European and Spanish Colonial style antiques and a lifetime of personal possessions. Walls filled with the family’s art collection include works by other Taos artists, Mary and Helen. Many of Blumenschein’s own works hang in his former studio.
When You go: 
Where To Go - Travel USA 