Owners and History
Owner: Brook R. Maher, Artist
Peekskill, NY, Taos, NM
History:
In 1981, a fearless woman named Patria set forth from her native Colorado to construct her dream house on the high mesa overlooking Taos. With her two sons and a phalanx of neighborhood recruits, they built what has now become The Skies. Construction began with thick adobe bricks formed on site from the readily available dirt, in traditional Southwestern style. Massive logs or kivas became the supporting beams. The house grew organically as Patria's vision expanded. She spent many satisfying years here, painting, cooking, gardening and entertaining.
In 1997, having never been to Taos, I painted Mabel Dodge Luhan, Frida Lawrence and Dorothy Brett from a small photograph taken in the early 20th century. I was drawn to the image of these strong creative women who had chosen new lives in the American West. They were arrested by the camera in a moment of happiness at a place, Taos, New Mexico, where they seemed to have seized the freedom to escape the social constraints of their more formal lives in New York and Europe.
In 2008 my husband and I rented a house in Taos with a group of good friends. I began to realize then that I wanted to have a home in Taos where people could enjoy the spectacular beauty and easy camaraderie that we found here. Taos has a strong magnetism for visitors from many places because of its light and colors, its spiritual qualities, its rich history and its manifest embrace of creativity. With extensive hiking trails, rafting on the Rio Grande, and the Ski Valley, Taos also draws outdoor sports enthusiasts in all seasons.
Locally, it is said that if the mountain chooses you, you will stay. I am not unique in having felt a compelling attraction to Taos. So, in April, 2010, I was ready to begin looking for a home in Taos. I discovered The Skies. Immediately, I recognized it to be a place where creativity, contemplation and connections between people had been and could continue to be nurtured and honored.
I have updated The Skies to include two new bedrooms with adjacent bathroom facilities while being careful to preserve the spirit and engaging quirks of the house. My plans for the future include workshops for artists, writers, and cooking enthusiasts, gatherings of families and good friends. I hope you will love being here as much as I do.
Peekskill, NY, Taos, NM
History:
In 1981, a fearless woman named Patria set forth from her native Colorado to construct her dream house on the high mesa overlooking Taos. With her two sons and a phalanx of neighborhood recruits, they built what has now become The Skies. Construction began with thick adobe bricks formed on site from the readily available dirt, in traditional Southwestern style. Massive logs or kivas became the supporting beams. The house grew organically as Patria's vision expanded. She spent many satisfying years here, painting, cooking, gardening and entertaining.
In 1997, having never been to Taos, I painted Mabel Dodge Luhan, Frida Lawrence and Dorothy Brett from a small photograph taken in the early 20th century. I was drawn to the image of these strong creative women who had chosen new lives in the American West. They were arrested by the camera in a moment of happiness at a place, Taos, New Mexico, where they seemed to have seized the freedom to escape the social constraints of their more formal lives in New York and Europe.
In 2008 my husband and I rented a house in Taos with a group of good friends. I began to realize then that I wanted to have a home in Taos where people could enjoy the spectacular beauty and easy camaraderie that we found here. Taos has a strong magnetism for visitors from many places because of its light and colors, its spiritual qualities, its rich history and its manifest embrace of creativity. With extensive hiking trails, rafting on the Rio Grande, and the Ski Valley, Taos also draws outdoor sports enthusiasts in all seasons.
Locally, it is said that if the mountain chooses you, you will stay. I am not unique in having felt a compelling attraction to Taos. So, in April, 2010, I was ready to begin looking for a home in Taos. I discovered The Skies. Immediately, I recognized it to be a place where creativity, contemplation and connections between people had been and could continue to be nurtured and honored.
I have updated The Skies to include two new bedrooms with adjacent bathroom facilities while being careful to preserve the spirit and engaging quirks of the house. My plans for the future include workshops for artists, writers, and cooking enthusiasts, gatherings of families and good friends. I hope you will love being here as much as I do.