Taos Pueblo Painted Stories by Jonathan Warm Day Coming On View: Through March 2, 2025
Jonathan Warm Day Coming, "Remembering Autumn"
Taos Pueblo Painted Stories by Jonathan Warm Day Coming invites viewers to connect with the stories and traditions of the people who first populated and continue to bless this valley. From stargazing atop the multistoried village of Taos Pueblo to young folks gathered near the hearth to listen to stories and songs of elders, Warm Day Coming’s paintings express significant moments and experiences in traditional life. The viewer can feel the profound connection to nature present in Pueblo life as magical scenes of the cherished river flowing down from Blue Lake, the sacred mountain hovering over the Pueblo like a mother, a glowing moon lighting nighttime singers, and others bring his canvases to life.
In addition to paintings, the exhibition will include a selection of Warm Day Coming’s ledger drawings. These unique artworks originated in the mid-19th century when traders, settlers, and the military began to invade Tribal Lands. The Plains Indians adapted to these encroachments by innovatively preserving their traditions. An example is using accessible materials, such as repurposing pages from found ledger books, especially when traditional resources like buffalo hides became difficult to obtain. This enabled individuals to narrate their history on their own terms, ensuring their voices and experiences were authentically represented. Ledger art is a testament to how Native communities navigated challenging circumstances while maintaining their cultural identities and highlights their resilience and adaptability during such a tumultuous time.
Regarding his work, Warm Day Coming said, “I hope to help preserve a record of the traditional life of our people and to educate those who know little of us, desiring that increased knowledge and understanding will help all of us to live better with one another and with the natural world.”
Warm Day Coming developed a passion for woodcarving from a young age, inspired by his mother, Eah-Ha-Wah (Eva Mirabal), who encouraged his artistic talents through drawing. After graduating from Taos High School, he pursued his passion at Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona, before attending the University of New Mexico to refine his skills and develop his unique style. His artistic journey reflects a vibrant legacy shaped by his family and experiences.
Warm Day Coming hails from a distinguished lineage. His mother was known for her powerful gouache and watercolor depictions of World War II and Pueblo life. His grandfather, Beaded Shirt (Pedro) Mirabal, was a dedicated farmer and rancher. Mirabal was also an artist and a model for renowned Taos artists such as Nicolai Fechin and Joseph Imhof. Mirabal and his brother, Miguel, made significant contributions to the construction of the Fechin House by laying adobe bricks and beautifully plastering the interior walls.
Warm Day Coming’s paintings have been shown at the International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas, Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, the Harwood Museum, Millicent Rogers Museum; and The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was the only living artist featured in the exhibition Native American Picture Books of Change. His work is also included in many private and institutional collections.
UP NEXT:
Keevan Donahue, Light and Shadow: A Study in Paint On View: March 15 - May 4, 2025 Exhibition Reception: Saturday, March 15, 1-3 p.m. RSVP
Izumi Yokoyama, Between Dreams On View: May 17 - July 6, 2025 Exhibition Reception: Saturday, May 17, 1-3 p.m. RSVP
Interested in submitting a proposal to exhibit in the Fechin Studio? Learn more here!