Recommended: “Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Houses: Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu”

by heidistraubephotographer

Georgiaokeeffeandhouses

 

Just finished reading/absorbing this book from cover to cover…
“Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Houses: Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu”

I had intended to just browse while eating breakfast – and then I was totally hooked. The photographs are beautiful, the detail of information is impressive, but most wonderful is the way the two authors have created a perspective and told a fascinating story that I have not seen or heard before.

This is more than a picture book of Georgia O’Keeffe’s homes. It is  a reflection of the unfolding of a life, creative and personal, and tells/shows quite beautifully how building a home and furnishing it can support, enrich and align with a person’s being.

The test and images flow gracefully as we see O’Keeffe’s views from her home, placement of windows, and minimalist furnishings, and then see the images she painted from her inspirational setting. Many quotes from her letters are included, and the author’s knowledge of what was happening at the time in Georgia’s personal and professional life deepens the story told.

Generous attention has also been paid to Maria Chabot, whose talent and work were crucial to the restoring the home in Abiquiu, and who was an amazing woman herself. Examples: Ms. Chabot was an advocate for Native Americans, renting buses so they could bring their art to sell in Santa Fe, then founded the immensely successful Santa Fe Indian Market, AND managed a major ranch for 20 years, AND fit in Georgia O’Keeffe’s 1800s home renovation/rebuilding, creating, recommending, and decision-making from a distance as O’Keeffe was in New York most of the time!)

A wonderful reading, sharing, visioning experience. Enjoy…