Southwest Paintings| New Mexico Paintings

SANCTUARY CHIMAYO is a magical sanctuary full of memories. I've painted the exterior many times. This is the first time I have painted my memories of the interior. Each time I visit, I head to the back room where the wall is full of crutches that the people who walk in crippled and walk out healed leave. I always wash my hands in the dirt hoping to heal any part of me that wants healing. Kathleen Elsey, California painter

Chimayo is a small town in Northern New Mexico. The first settlers came here after the Pueblo Revolt (1680-1692) for the fertile farmland. The colonists worked the land with diligence, for there was not only the chance of becoming self sufficient through their labors, but the Spanish Crown might provide them with the title of hidalgo and provide all the perks that becoming a nobleman would entail. About a hundred years later, (~1810) a local friar was performing penance, and saw a light coming from the hillside. At the sight of the light, he dug a short way down and found a crucifix. Later named, Our Lord of Esquipulas, this crucifix was taken by a priest to another area. Three times the crucifix turned up missing. Three times the crucifix was found back in it's hole in Chimayo. By now, it was determined that El Senor Esquipulas didn't want to leave Chimayo, and a small chapel was built around his favorite spot.