3D Visual Artist / Scupltor
Woodworking • Wood Carving • Functional Art
Bob Schmidt discovered his passion for wood carving in 1995 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, initially thinking it would be a simple hobby. What began as a gift for his parents’ 50th anniversary—a carved representation of their home—quickly became a lifelong pursuit. That first piece, crafted with only three tools, remains in the family today.
A retired Boiler Tech from the U.S. Navy and later a Utility Systems Operator, Schmidt now dedicates hours each day to carving, creating functional wooden utensils, wall art, and sculptures. He delights in upcycling wood scraps collected from around town, working with a variety of materials including maple, cherry, walnut, cedar, Brazilian cherry, pine, alder, cypress knee, oak, and sycamore.
Influenced by fellow artists such as clay sculptor Ron Tunison, Schmidt continues to refine his craft, blending traditional woodworking techniques with his own creative vision. His work reflects a love of hands-on craftsmanship, careful attention to detail, and a deep respect for the natural materials he transforms into art.
3D Visual Artist / Scupltor
Potter & Ceramicist • Tactile & Experiential • Functional Ceramics
Alice Sloan is a ceramic artist whose work celebrates color, form, and the tactile beauty of handmade objects. Fascinated with three-dimensional arts and crafts from a young age, she found her artistic voice through pottery, creating functional pieces that are designed to be touched, used, and cherished.
Alice’s hand-thrown pots merge aesthetic vibrancy with everyday utility. Each mug, bowl, or vessel is crafted to enhance the experience of daily rituals—from morning coffee to serving homegrown produce—highlighting the importance of slow, deliberate creation in a world often dominated by disposable goods. With rare exceptions, her ceramics are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe, making them both practical and enduring.
Living in the East Mountains of New Mexico with her husband Matt and a lively household of furry companions, Alice draws inspiration from the natural world and the rhythms of home life. Beyond pottery, she enjoys knitting and dyeing yarn, gardening, cooking, and pursuing an ongoing array of creative household projects. Through her work, Alice invites viewers and users to experience the joy, care, and intention embedded in objects made by hand.
Collector
Culture History
Richard Touchout is a dedicated antique and vintage collector whose lifelong passion for historical objects has evolved into a remarkable personal archive of everyday artifacts spanning centuries. Living locally with his wife, daughter, and grandson, Touchout has become a familiar presence in the community—someone who not only collects objects, but also preserves the stories and craftsmanship behind them.
His collection is as eclectic as it is historically rich, ranging from antique corkscrews and leather postcards to rare trinkets and curiosities that trace the evolution of design, culture, and daily life over hundreds of years. Each piece he acquires is valued not only for its age, but for the narrative it carries—who made it, who used it, and how it reflects the era from which it came.
Touchout approaches collecting with the same reverence an artist brings to creation. He seeks out objects that speak to the ingenuity, humor, craftsmanship, and cultural spirit of their time. For him, history is not distant or academic; it is tactile, visual, and deeply human, found in the overlooked tools, personal tokens, and functional artworks of the past.
By sharing selections from his collection with Enchanted Soul, Touchout brings a meaningful dimension of art history and material culture to the local arts community. His pieces serve as bridges between eras—inviting viewers to reflect on how art, design, and everyday objects shape the narrative of who we are. Through his passion and generosity, Richard Touchout enriches the gallery with a sense of continuity, reminding us that creativity is not only found on the canvas, but also in the artifacts that endure across generations.
Organic Abstract Sculptor
Earth-Based Materials & Natural Aesthetics • Intuitive Maker • Psychologist-Artist
Joe DiRaddo is a self-taught sculptor whose artistic journey began with a deep connection to the natural world. His earliest creative explorations started with clay and later expanded into wood, materials through which he discovered his affinity for form, texture, and organic movement. His appreciation for fine art was strengthened through the influence of his brother—an art therapist in Austin, Texas—whose ability to draw encouraged DiRaddo to embrace three-dimensional expression as his own artistic language.
Creativity also runs in his family. DiRaddo credits his mother, a basket maker, photographer, and naturalist, for shaping his sensitivity to craft, pattern, and the quiet intelligence found in nature. As a practicing psychologist, he turns to the artistic process as a grounding force, using creativity to balance the emotional and psychological demands inherent in his profession.
More than two decades ago, DiRaddo relocated to New Mexico, drawn by his profound love for the natural environment. The volcanic earth, richly colored clay hills, expansive landscapes, and sweeping skies of the Southwest have become central inspirations in his work. His sculptures reflect an evolution from the primitive influences of ancient cultures and tribal rituals toward a symbolic vision rooted in Organic Abstractionism. Throughout this progression, he has maintained a distinctly abstract and surreal narrative, one that invites contemplation through form and gesture.
DiRaddo’s surface treatments intentionally echo the textures and hues of the earth, allowing his works to feel both discovered and created—objects that seem to emerge from the natural world while simultaneously reinterpreting it. His practice continues to explore the delicate intersection between psychology, nature, and abstraction, resulting in sculptural forms that honor the landscape and the human experience within it.
Visual / Innovative Artist & Painter
Airbrush Specialist • Portrait Specialist • Cultural Artist
2D/3D Hybrid Fine Art Painter
Ricardo Chávez-Méndez is a self-taught artist born in Torréon, Coahuila, Mexico, whose work has earned him the nickname the “Dali of the Desert” for his extraordinary airbrush detail. Moving to Albuquerque at age 28, Ricardo has since established himself as a pioneering artist, creating a distinctive style known as Curvismo™, or curvism, which he teaches while gaining a growing following.
For over 20 years, he has served as the official portrait artist for the Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, including designing the group’s official logo. His work has been featured in publications such as New Mexico Millennium Collection and Triumph of Our Communities, and his pieces are held in private collections nationally and internationally, including those of former First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush, and former First Lady of Mexico, Marta Sahagún de Fox. His art has also been exhibited across the globe in countries including China, Korea, Turkey, Japan, Australia, and Denmark.
Ricardo teaches both private and group instruction, exhibits his work, and maintains his studio and office of graphical and computer design, CYBERDESK Solutions. His practice embodies the conviction that art is a disciplined and inspired form of human expression, not a pursuit of ego or social pose. Through his vibrant and meticulously crafted works, Ricardo contributes to Enchanted Soul’s mission of celebrating artists whose creativity moves the soul, uplifts communities, and reflects the depth and diversity of cultural expression.
Painter & Collage Artist
Mixed Media
Based in Tijeras, New Mexico, Lisa Bryant is a painter and collage artist whose work layers history, texture, and imagination into vibrant visual narratives.
With an MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and a BA in English Literature from Colorado College, Lisa draws on both language and form to create collages rich in meaning and material.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area—including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Rental Gallery—and in Boulder, Colorado.
A dedicated arts educator and board member of the Route 66 Artists Alliance, Lisa continues to share her expertise through classes in drawing and watercolor at the Tijeras Senior Center.
Visual Artist
Pencil & Ink • Nature-Inspired Symbolism • Dream Imagery
Natalie Pupiales is a visual artist based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose work bridges the spiritual, subconscious, and natural worlds. Working primarily in pencil and ink, Natalie creates intricate compositions where religious philosophy, dream imagery, and nature intertwine—inviting viewers to explore the unseen spaces between belief, imagination, and the Earth itself.
Nature serves as both muse and collaborator in her creative process. Natalie credits Mother Earth as the source of her artistic expression, finding in her patterns and rhythms an endless well of inspiration. Every line and contour honors the landscapes of New Mexico—the Land of Enchantment that shaped her heart and vision.
When she isn’t in the studio, Natalie can often be found hiking the wilderness trails of New Mexico with her dog, immersing herself in the beauty and solitude that continually inform her work. Her artistic practice is an act of devotion—to nature, to curiosity, and to the courage of creation.
At Enchanted Soul Art Creatives Gallery & Shop, Natalie’s pieces enchant visitors with their fine detail, emotional depth, and quiet power. Her drawings resonate with those who seek art that awakens the senses and stirs the spirit.
Digital Artist & Multidisciplinary Digital Creator
Digital Fine Art • Stained-Metal Digital Printing
Teresa Farley is a digital artist based in the East Mountains of New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, two mini mares, two donkeys, and two chickens. Originally from Tucson, she earned a degree in graphic design, marketing, and animation before moving to New Mexico in 2004, where the Land of Enchantment inspired her deep connection to the natural world.
Over the years, Teresa has held leadership roles in animation programs, taught graphic design and animation at several institutions, and served on the Governor’s Council for Film & Media. Through her business, Digital Prestidigitation, she creates digital art and stained-metal digital prints that capture the light, color, and spirit of New Mexico’s landscapes. Mountains, lakes, streams, prairies, and the Bosque are her ever-present muses, and she seeks to translate the beauty of sunrises, sunsets, storms, and other natural phenomena into art that evokes wonder and reflection.
Teresa’s creative process blends technology and intuition. Using programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, she layers imagery, color, and texture to produce vibrant digital works that honor the natural world. Her work is both a meditation and a form of expression, a way to connect with the beauty surrounding her while sharing that enchantment with others. Whether through digital prints, drawings, or photography, Teresa’s art celebrates the majesty of nature and invites viewers to pause, reflect, and feel a sense of awe.
Visual Artist
Poured Acrylic Paint • Clear Epoxy Finish
Paul Walton discovered acrylic painting while recovering from firefighting injuries, finding in it a powerful form of healing and self-expression. Drawn to the movement, color, and flow of the medium, he creates vibrant, rhythmic works guided by music, allowing the paint to move intuitively and finishing each piece with a clear epoxy coating to enhance depth and color.
A firefighter for over 16 years and a New Mexico resident for more than 20, Walton balances his demanding profession with his art, using the creative process as a form of meditation and mental wellness. His practice extends beyond painting, reflecting a lifelong passion for building, photography, jewelry-making, epoxy projects, and other creative pursuits.
Inspired by the open landscapes, striking skies, and unique colors of the Southwest, Walton’s work invites viewers into a world of flow, color, and discovery. Through his art, he hopes to inspire connection, joy, and enchantment for all who experience it.
Pueblo Jewelry & Mixed Media Artist
Beadwork • Silversmithing
Diana Ortiz, of Frog Clan and known by her Indian name Clouding Rain, is a third-generation artist residing in Katiishya, New Mexico. Immersed in art from an early age, Diana learned beadwork from her mother at four and silversmithing from her father at seven. Today, she continues to honor and expand upon these traditions, blending meticulous craftsmanship with deep cultural significance.
Diana comes from a family of artists represented under the Palace of the Governors Artisan Program, a legacy tracing back to the 1850s. Her great-grandmother began selling their crafts in Santa Fe, followed by her parents, and now Diana carries forward this lineage, creating works that celebrate Kewa Pueblo heritage and Native American artistry.
Her jewelry combines glass beads, buffalo bone and horn, northern and African porcupine quills, and silverwork, often incorporating intricate lapidary techniques passed down from her father. Each piece is intentionally crafted to convey meaning, energy, and unity, reflecting the interconnectedness of people and the importance of creating with an open and joyful heart.
At Enchanted Soul Art Creatives Gallery & Shop, Diana’s work embodies cultural storytelling, heritage, quality and soulful craftsmanship, offering visitors an opportunity to connect with the enduring traditions of Kewa Pueblo through art that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Mission in Every Piece: To share the energy, symbolism, and unity of Pueblo culture, one handcrafted artwork at a time.
Beadwork Artist
Beading • Wirework • Southwest-Inspired Art
Catherine Gibson is a beadwork artist and retired mental health therapist living in the East Mountains of New Mexico for over 35 years. Her artistic journey began at the age of eight when her father introduced her to beading—a craft he had learned from a friend who made wire and seed bead rings. Though she initially preferred outdoor play, Catherine returned to beadwork about 40 years ago, discovering it as both a source of personal expression and a grounding practice during her career.
Catherine’s work draws deeply from the wildlife, forests, and vibrant colors of the high desert, reflecting the beauty of her surroundings in the East Mountains. She is also inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the Southwest, including Native American and Colonial Hispanic traditions, which inform her designs and aesthetic sensibility.
At Enchanted Soul Art Creatives Gallery & Shop, Catherine’s beadwork offers visitors a connection to nature, culture, and mindfulness, showcasing the intricate artistry and enduring inspiration of her craft. Each piece is a reflection of both the Southwest landscape and Catherine’s personal journey, inviting viewers to share in the joy and care embedded in every creation.
Artist Statement: Beading has become a practice of both creativity and serenity—an expression of life, culture, and the vibrant beauty of the Southwest.
Multidisciplinary Visual & Musical Artist
Modern Abstract • Music-Inspired Visual Art • Experimental Artist
Sharon Eldridge is a self-taught artist and professional musician based in New Mexico. An alumna of Berklee College of Music in Boston, she has spent many years as a percussionist, and her musical background deeply informs her visual art. She creates modern abstract paintings with a focus on geometric shapes, sharp lines, and dynamic compositions, often translating rhythm and energy from music into visual form. Works such as Fortissimo convey the intensity of a loud, exciting composition, while Pulse evokes a sense of rhythm and movement. Modern architecture also inspires her, lending her pieces clean lines and distinct angles.
Eldridge’s work has been recognized nationally and locally. She has been featured in the Inaugural Edition Book of Art Folio and Artist Portfolio Magazine’s 10th Anniversary Issue. The State of New Mexico has acquired two of her paintings for its permanent collection, and UNM Hospital recently purchased a piece for display in its new addition tower. In 2020, one of her works was featured on a billboard in the greater Los Angeles area as part of The Billboard Creative Exhibition. Her art has also been exhibited throughout the United States, demonstrating her broad appeal and artistic reach.
For Sharon, both music and visual art are essential forms of expression. She finds joy in the creative process, believing that the arts enrich society and elevate the human experience. Her work invites viewers to engage with color, form, and rhythm, offering a visual symphony inspired by both sound and structure.
Multidisciplinary Visual & Literary Artist
Contemporary / Conceptual Painter • Writer• Performance Poet
Victory is a painter, writer, and performance poet whose work explores resilience, light, and the human experience. For much of her creative career, she focused on poetry and performance, but in 2020, a medical condition left her temporarily blind. During this challenging time, Victory turned to painting, using her limited vision as inspiration. She embraced bright, uplifting colors and explored imagery such as eyes, sunbeams, and bursts of light, creating works that celebrate perseverance, whimsy, and the beauty found even in difficult circumstances.
Her approach reflects both introspection and playfulness, transforming personal challenges into vibrant visual narratives. Using tools like magnifying glasses when needed, she worked through imperfections and allowed her experiences to guide her creative process.
Based in New Mexico, Victory draws inspiration from the Land of Enchantment, translating the landscapes, light, and spirit of her surroundings into colorful, expressive paintings. Her art invites viewers to engage with themes of light, perception, and resilience, offering both a personal story and a universal exploration of overcoming obstacles through creativity.
Nacido en La Habana, Cuba, el 16 de agosto de 1951, Eduardo Cue Villate es un creador cuya obra transita con naturalidad entre la pintura, la cerámica y la música. Su infancia en el occidente cubano marcó el origen de una vocación temprana por el arte, que más tarde lo llevaría a integrar agrupaciones musicales como compositor y guitarrista desde 1971.
En 1987, fundó el grupo de artes plásticas Arrecife, participando en numerosas exposiciones que revelaron una voz artística madura y singular. Al año siguiente presentó “Homenaje al Hombre”, una muestra personal que unió pintura y escultura en cerámica, acompañada por un recital de sus propias composiciones. Durante esta etapa también colaboró con la televisión cubana como guionista de un programa infantil, extendiendo su creatividad a nuevos lenguajes.
Su versatilidad ha sido reconocida en distintos certámenes y exposiciones temáticas: obtuvo segundo lugar en el premio de humor de la revista Palante (1990), presentó “Amor Taíno” en el Teatro de Bauta (1995), y participó en “Atabey”(1998), una propuesta dedicada a la simbología y mitología taína.
En el año 2000, Cue se trasladó a Albuquerque, Nuevo México, donde continuó explorando la intersección entre las artes visuales y la música. En 2012, compartió su dominio de la cerámica como docente en la Washington Middle School, guiando a nuevas generaciones en el descubrimiento de la forma y el fuego.
A lo largo de su trayectoria, Eduardo Cue ha tejido una obra que celebra la memoria cultural, el mito y la narración simbólica. Sus piezas invitan al diálogo entre el pasado y el presente, entre el espíritu caribeño y la vastedad del paisaje del suroeste estadounidense. En su arte confluyen el color, la materia y el ritmo, dando vida a un universo donde la historia y la contemporaneidad laten al unísono.
Photographer
Fine Art • Contemporary Landscape • Atmospheric and Contemplative Imagery
Seth Jacob is a fine art photographer based in New Mexico whose work captures the beauty, light, and spirit of the American Southwest. Drawn to expansive landscapes, dramatic skies, and the ever-changing natural world, he creates images that are both contemplative and immersive, inviting viewers to pause and experience the environment through his eyes.
Jacob’s artistic vision is grounded in a deep connection to place. He explores the subtle interplay of light and shadow, the shifting tones of sunrise and sunset, and the textures of the land, translating these moments into photographs that are as meditative as they are visually striking. Each image is carefully composed to evoke emotion and reflection, capturing both the grandeur of wide-open spaces and the intimate details of the natural world.
His process combines careful fieldwork with thoughtful post-processing to enhance mood, color, and depth, always aiming to preserve the authenticity of the scene while highlighting its unique qualities. Through his photography, Jacob creates a bridge between the viewer and the landscape, offering a sense of presence and connection to the land, the sky, and the fleeting moments that define them.
As part of the Enchanted Soul gallery, Seth Jacob shares a commitment to celebrating the art, culture, and landscapes of New Mexico. His photographs serve as visual meditations, reflecting both his personal experience of the Southwest and the timeless beauty of the region. Through his work, he invites others to engage deeply with the world around them and discover the magic inherent in light, color, and place.
Writer
Poet • Author • Storyteller and Cultural Chronicler
Larada Horner-Miller is a celebrated poet and author whose work spans poetry, memoir, historical fiction, and biography. Through her published books—including award-winning poetry collections like Was It a Dream?, memoirs such as A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief, and historical novels including When Will Papa Get Home?—Horner-Miller explores themes of family, heritage, memory, and the landscapes of the American Southwest. Her writing invites readers to reflect, feel, and connect with both personal and cultural narratives.
Growing up on her family ranch in southeastern Colorado and now living in the East Mountains of New Mexico, Horner-Miller draws deeply from the land, community, and stories that shape her life. Her poetry and prose capture the rhythm and beauty of everyday life, the history of place, and the human experience, resonating with Enchanted Soul’s commitment to showcasing artists whose work moves the soul and reflects the richness of New Mexico’s cultural and creative heritage.
Through her storytelling, Horner-Miller embodies the conviction that the arts—written, spoken, or performed—are vital to society. She not only creates works that celebrate life, resilience, and connection but also inspires others through memoir workshops, helping new voices share their own stories. At Enchanted Soul, her books and poems contribute to a diverse tapestry of artistic expression, representing the literary arts alongside visual and performance art, and affirming the gallery’s mission to honor all forms of creativity.
Past Artists
Venessee Taylor
Helene Rowe
Linda Love
Thomas Ames
Johnathan Stone
William Bock
Anna Cupich
Candy Tate
Peggy McAffee
Bonnie Maldonado