08/06/2026
Artwork of the Day
Credit: Barry A. Parks
Presbyterian Church, Taiban, NM
Recently I had numerous occasions to drive between Houston, TX and Albuquerque. Much of that trip is devoid of interest, but this fragile structure, which sits just north of US 40 in Taiban, NM, caught my eye each time. A couple of times I pulled off the road to take photos before continuing either eastbound to Clovis and beyond, or westward into Fort Sumner and beyond. Eventually, my interest grew to do a bit of research to learn that this church - original cost about $250 - was built by the Presbyterians in 1908 as part of a local building boom in Taiban, a boom that included a hotel, bank, school, and various residences. Local fortunes disappeared due to the Great Depression and a local drought, and the final service was held in the church in 1938.
I am not the first to paint this church. In fact, graffiti artists have been adding their artistic touches for years.
In my case, I looked at my reference photos, which recorded a cloudless blue sky, and decided that a bit of drama in the sky and stronger differentiation of cool shadows and warm sunlight might make for a better layout. So I imported an Albuquerque sky and made the other adjustments for the final composition.
2026. Acrylic on a 14" x 11" x 2" cribbed wood panel.
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