This next First Friday, October 6, Questa visionary and modern mystic painter Maria Mikhailas will be featured in The Taos Artist Collective Gallery for the month, along with local artists Rosemary Ryan and Ken Pieper. The October First Friday Gallery Walk will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

Come see Maria’s new work, newly and creatively framed by local Questa frame and furniture maker, ‘Mose’ Jerry Rainault, inspired by historic retablo framers. The gallery encourages the public to stop by to see all our more than 40 local artists’ work.

About Maria Mikhailas

Throughout her life, Mikhailas’ artistic expression has paralleled her spiritual journey, leading her to create images inviting contemplation or meditation. As a child, she knew she wanted to be an artist. Her first formal training began when she was a fourteen-year-old exchange student in Mexico and took art classes at the Instituto Cultural in Guadalajara. Back in her hometown of Santa Barbara, California, Maria took advantage in high school of exploring watercolor with interior designer Jack Baker as well as taking classes with other local painters. But it was not until she stepped into the studio of Taos mystic artist Herman Rednick in 1970 that she knew she had found her direction and her mentor. Maria’s studio is in El Rito/Latir north of Questa, and is a hub every year for 5 artists in the Questa Studio Tour.

About the Taos Artist Collective

The Taos Artist Collective gallery showcases regional artists in the disciplines of painting, watercolor, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber arts. The gallery was originally founded as the Enchanted Dreams Foundation and Antique Emporium to benefit children with autism. In 2009, the gallery was transformed into the Taos Artist Cooperative, and sits on the northwest corner of Kit Carson and Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Taos Artist Collective address is 106 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos.