Day 8 - Artwork by Jo Stodgle of UpCycle Santa Fe

In New Mexico, we are known for our chile but it might surprise some people to learn that we are also home to a vibrant art culture with prolific artists of all mediums. As I prepared for the “12 Days of New Mexican Christmas”, it was important for me to include artisans of food but also practicing artists that are working to make an impact on our communities. Today, we are focusing on a featured artist, Jo Stodgel. When Jo’s not painting, he’s on a mission to help communities, in particular Santa Fe, with waste management by Upcycling waste locally instead of recycling to reduce international waste. He founded the local company Upcycle Santa Fe that takes waste like an Ecobrick (explained later) and uses these materials to make modular furniture. Upcycle Santa Fe began in early 2014 after several years of exploring plastic waste upcycling practices and on the heels of a fellowship Jo did in Brooklyn with the DO School, a German organization focused on aiding young entrepreneurs.

Students of Monte Del Sol work on their ecobrick bench.

Jo explains further, “I got into the fellowship with my idea of setting up a new kind of waste management center that would focus on upcycling locally, rather than recycling internationally which is too often the case. We need a model of open source, decentralized, small-scale solutions for every common waste material in the world, and this is what Upcycle Santa Fe wants to be and become. In 2012, I started a festival of upcycling at the local dumpsite in the rural community of Greyton, South Africa, called the Trash to Treasure Festivals. Since then, I wanted to bring this work to my hometown of Santa Fe and anchor it here in some form, although I knew it would be quite different in our "more developed" context. It is my view that we don't necessarily have a better waste management system here in the USA; we are just so much better at sweeping trash under the carpet of landfill and shipping a ton of it overseas for "less developed" communities to deal with. Santa Fe is a rich place to be from and live in, and I am stoked to bring back all that I gathered in my travels and studies and share it here.”

Anyone can join in the upcycling revolution in a variety of ways. The simplest way to get involved is make an Ecobrick by densely stuffing a clean and dry plastic bottle with clean and dry plastic waste. Upcycle Santa Fe collects these at the wooden bin in front of 917 Don Juan Street and uses them as an alternative insulation material in constructions. Upcycle Santa Fe recently made a bench using Ecobricks with the help of students and volunteers at Monte Del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe. “Really our message is that anyone who sets their mind to it can deal responsibly with every material that enters into their hands or household,” Jo expresses.

For the 12 Days of New Mexican Christmas, Jo has created an original 8"x10" painting, made with oil paint pens on canvas and depicts a green and red chile holding hands in front of a Christmas tree and a farolito covered adobe building. Underneath can be read "Merry Christmas!" Jo explains, “It is an homage to the season, and to my favorite response to the question ’Red or green?’"

I asked Jo to tell me about his interest with art and how it developed. “I have always loved to draw since I was a wee one. By the time I was at Santa Fe High School, I was a proper oil paint snob who refused to go near acrylics. Only in the last few years have I gotten into acrylics, but have also incorporated a ton of random materials and mediums into my works, from plastic waste to coffee and paint pens. More recently, I have delved into drawing and painting on reclaimed wood with full respect for the grain - something that inspires me so much because it is inherently a conversation had with Nature.”

Old Boy & The Apple

Sacred Mountain

Solo Zozo

His art website can be found at spokeofsource.com - Anyone can contact Jo Stodgel directly if they are interested in a print of an existing artwork or in commissioning an original. 

To be eligible to win the #ChileChicaGiveaway - one item from each of the 12 Days of New Mexico Christmas (valued at over $200!) - you will need to do to the following:

1.       Repost any of the "12 Days" as they are posted now through December 23rd on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - feel free to repost older days you have already read as well!

2.       Include the hashtag #ChileChicaGiveaway on all your reposts!

3.       Follow New Mexico Chiles; History, Legend and Lore on Facebook.

4.       Follow The Chile Film on Facebook.

Post everyday for your best chance to win. Each post will count as an additional entry; limit one per day per social media platform. We will announce the winner on Christmas Eve, and remember to have your privacy settings public so we can see your posts!

Day 6 - Kei and Molly Textiles, LLC

Photo courtesy of Kei and Molly: Idalia Road Market

Today we share a story about two super-moms and how their creative ideas lead to an industrious vibrant textile company in the heart of the international district of Albuquerque. Kei and Molly met through their children, who were both at Bandelier Elementary School. The two developed a tight friendship with many similar interests and decided to enter the Bandelier Holiday Bazaar in 2010 with the idea of creating an economic development project in the international district. Within two hours of the bazaar, all of their products had sold out...they knew they were on to something. "We both have backgrounds working with immigrants and wanted to start a business that would create good jobs in our community," Kei and Molly reflect. Five years later, they now employ five New Mexican women, most of whom are immigrants and artists based in the International District, working to create artisan-quality, hand-printed fabric goods. Since 2010, their business has steadily grown gaining local and national attention. Their textile products, mostly flour-sack kitchen towels, can be found in over 27 states and over two-dozen stores here in New Mexico. 

Photo courtesy of Kei & Molly

The two women express their efforts in bringing industry to Albuquerque, "The International District is one of the poorest areas in Albuquerque, but we see it as a vibrant community with recent immigrants and refugees. Our kids went to school here, Kei's husband teaches in the community, and we see so much positive energy being created in the area. We don't see poverty as a detriment to business, but rather an opportunity to train and work with people who want to contribute to the success of what we are trying to do!"

Each year, the women create two different lines of designs; one in the spring and the other in the fall. They start individually and then collaborate together as they get stuck or need to refine a design. "This is the great part of having a design partner - we have each other to bounce off ideas!" When I met the women, I could see that they both are inspired by one another and encourage each other throughout the creative process. Kei brings printing experience, having shown products at the New York International Gift Fair and worked for designers such as Jonathan Adler and Denyse Schmidt. Molly brings and international and global perspective to the designs being able to speak five languages (wow!) and was a dedicated educator for over 20 years (double wow!). The two would make any business envious of their savvy and creative talents.

A sampling of some of their designs

Although the two are undoubtedly talented, the sweetest part about Kei and Molly is they actively choose to be proactive members of their community as well as environmentally aware business owners. Their studio uses only water-based, non-toxic inks to minimize the impact on the environment. They filter their waste water to 20 microns to keep pigment out of the water system. Their product line is made using only 100% natural fibers. Waste fabric from their production is often recycled into community projects through schools and community groups. 

Their designs have quickly found homes all around the country. Some of the most popular designs include the "Red or Green" chile roaster kitchen towels that are featured in our grand giveaway (giveaway instructions below).
  

You can find their products on their website, in many local stores or catch them this coming weekend December 13th at the Rail Yards Holiday Market.

To be eligible to win the #ChileChicaGiveaway - one item from each of the 12 Days of New Mexico Christmas (valued at over $200!) - you will need to do to the following:

1. Repost your favorite of the "12 Days" as they are posted now through December 23rd on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - feel free to repost older days you have already read as well!

2. Include the hashtag #ChileChicaGiveaway on all your reposts!

3. Follow New Mexico Chiles; History, Legend and Lore on Facebook.

4. Follow The Chile Film on Facebook.

Post everyday for your best chance to win. Each post will count as an additional entry, limit one per day per social media platform. We will announce the winner on Christmas Eve, and remember to have your privacy settings public so we can see your posts! Happy holidays!

Lunch With Cheryl Alters Jamison

The New Mexican chile community throughout our state has grown and become recognizable worldwide for its many spicy accomplishments. I am proud to be a small part of this chile community and hope through my writing and film work to shed a light on the many people that have contributed and continue to make the chile industry a symbol of community for our state. I would not be where I am in my chile career had in not been for my many predecessors (some of which are featured in my book) who have taken me under their wings. In New Mexico, we are fortunate to have many extraordinary cookbook writers, two of whom I have featured today.

When James Beard Award Winning cookbook author Cheryl Alters Jamison invited me to her house for a green chile stew lunch, I was beyond thrilled. I probably let out a little girl squeal with no regrets. I had been to the Jamison house several years ago with my film crew when I was filming for my documentary The Chile Film. It was shortly after the Jamison's got a group of chickens that still reside in their weatherized coop. Cheryl gets about one egg a day in the late fall but they're more prolific in warmer times of the year.

Organic eggs almost year round.

For Cheryl Alters Jamison, her affinity for New Mexican chile began in the early 1970's when she saw a recipe for green chile chicken enchiladas that Congressman Manuel Lujan had submitted to a congressional cookbook that featured recipes from states in the US. Of course, being from Illinois, Cheryl didn't have ready access to New Mexican green chiles but the intrigue had begun. Many years later she moved to Oklahoma and then to Dallas running an arts program, when Cheryl saw an opportunity in Santa Fe. Her former boss, Bill Jamison, was now in Santa Fe and she thought he might grant her an interview. She flew out for the interview, was offered a position on the spot with Western States Art Foundation and two weeks later moved to Santa Fe, drawing her to the center of New Mexico chile heaven.

The arts, among many interests, brought Bill and Cheryl together. A couple years after working together a second time, they married. After they wed, Bill wrote a travel guidebook to Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque, becoming one of the best selling travel books for several months. From that, the publisher that had done the book met with the couple in Washington D.C. The couple proposed a beach book; the publisher loved the idea and suggested they start a series of guides on Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. They were overjoyed by the new opportunity returning to their hotel to celebrate the exciting news after they had the meeting. Then it dawned on them how much time and work it would take to do these books.

Cheryl went on sabbatical and the couple spent months in each location doing immense research and writing for the books in a time when fax machines didn't even exist.

This was the start to their writing careers that would end up dovetailing into another one of their passions food and cooking. Before Tripadvisor existed, the Jamisons were giving travelers suggestions on where to eat and what dishes they would recommend. So they decided to start off with one cookbook and because they lived in New Mexico and they wanted to start with a book that would feature the local cuisine. They met with the Jaramillo family of Rancho De Chimayo and came to an agreement that they would write the famous restaurants cookbook. It was published in 1990, gaining even more attention nationally that lead to lets try writing just one more cookbook.

Thinking that this would be the last cookbook they would write, Cheryl wanted to have every recipe she could in their book, Texas Home Cooking. Little did they think this would lead them to writing many more cookbooks and, in 1995, the couple won their first James Beard Foundation award.

Several nooks throughout the Jamison house are filled with cookbooks. This particular corner displays some of the prestigious James Beard Awards.

Throughout the years, the couple have devoted their time to creating new and exciting cookbooks as well as establishing their roots in the community. Cheryl has spent many years volunteering her time with Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as the Santa Fe Farmers Market.

So was I excited as ever when Cheryl invited me over to her home (a converted adobe dairy barn) for some homemade green chile stew, cornbread and southwestern meatloaf. I was in foodie heaven! It was truly a special day when Cheryl took the time to walk me through the memories of her life with Bill and all the amazing things the couple accomplished together. Although Bill passed away earlier this year, his love for Cheryl, fine wine, good BBQ and chile permeates throughout every corner of their beautiful home and in Cheryl's vivacious laugh.

Cheryl Alters Jamison really is a Gourmet Goddess

A beautiful rose in the garden of the Jamison home make an appearance in the late fall.

Cheryl has made a beautiful altare filled with marigolds, Bills favorite wine, stubs from his favorite games and performances, photos with his family and, of course, chile.

Their home is filled with decor and items from their many travels together throughout the world. One of my favorite arrangements was how they incorporated southwestern/Santa Fe style with the textiles and art from South America.

The dinning room table is topped with a stunning textile from South America topped with succulents

Cheryl was kind enough to share with me some of her favorite and preferred New Mexican chile and chile vendors.

1) Green Chile & Red Chile From Clyde Sanchez out of Espanola

2) Land Race Green Chile From Matt Romero out of Dixon

3) Favorite types of New Mexican Chile Heritage 6-4 and Organic Sandia Improved from Clyde Sanchez

4) Favorite dried Red Chile Chimayo chile from Chencho at the Santa Fe Farmers Market.

Cheryl makes her green chile stew with the following ingredients:

Cheryl's Green Chile Stew with a side of grated cheddar cheese and green chile corn bread

1 1/2 pounds beef chuck, in 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium onions, diced
4 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound red waxy potatoes, peeled or unpeeled
5 cups low-sodium beef or chicken stock, or a combination
3 cups chopped roasted medium NM green chile, fresh or thawed frozen
1 cup corn kernels
If in slow cooker, the 1 teaspoon tomato paste and enough soy sauce to coat the meat lightly
Salt to taste

Grated cheddar cheese for additional topping

Tomorrow will begin the series of 12 Day of New Mexican Christmas. Featuring all local New Mexican products that make excellent gifts throughout the holiday season. At the end of the series we will be doing a large GIVE AWAY of products featured. Stay tuned on how you can win all of the goodies before Santa comes your way.