Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio

“Take time to look” said the very wise Georgia O’Keeffe. Such a simple statement, yet resonated with me weeks after my visit to her home and studio in Abiquiú, New Mexico. I had the most wonderful experience there, and in Santa Fe during a warm summer weekend in July. 

The very idea of New Mexico calls to mind the images of Georgia O’Keeffe, one of the most significant American Painters of the 20th century. I’ve been wanting to visit her celebrated museum and home for a long time now and finally committed to a date.  An added bonus being that La Bohème was playing that very same weekend at the Santa Fe Opera. Even for novices, or non-opera lovers, the setting in the outdoor amphitheater was breathtaking. In addition, the food in New Mexico did not disappoint and I will share my recommendations below. This getaway was worthwhile in many ways, and certainly set my reset button, leaving me inspired and motivated. 

Having no idea that New Mexico produced some of the most beautiful flowers, I now understand why she was so inspired to paint them. Many of her iconic flowers – hollyhocks and petunias are growing in her garden and it was such a thrill to see them.

Her adobe home in the village of Abiquiú has been left much as it was when O’Keeffe lived there. She purchased it in 1945 and being in ruins, it took 3 years for her to renovate it. She added architectural details and an expansive garden. The home overlooks the vast Chama Valley with never-ending views. She started painting bones and skulls, because that was all she could find out there, eventually adding flowers as her garden grew. Walking through the home, her collections of objects that obviously touched her and influenced her art was evident throughout – branches, bones, rocks and other similar items. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, so I am sharing some photos that are from the foundation’s collecton. However, there were plenty of opportunities to take photos outside of her iconic doorways and adobe walls. My favorite photo was of her hand hewn wooden ladder to the roof, where she often entertained visitors and slept under the stars. This I took while imagining this strong, fearless woman climbing the ladder, as well as painting it. 

Georgia O’Keeffe liked to cook, especially healthy food. No wonder I adore her! O’Keeffe’s kitchen pantry could rival Martha Stewarts. She liked pour-over coffee, made her own yogurt, ground her own flour and had quite a varied spice selection….I literally could move right in. Years ago, I found a recipe for overnight oats, and recently made them. Simple, yet delicious and I’m sharing the recipe here.

Her gardens are impressive and are still being maintained today. Apparently, she was frustrated by the wilting produce she brought from Santa Fe, 50 miles away.  Therefore, she created her own gardens which pleased her enormously, as it was her own source of fresh produce and flowers. One can still walk through the original layout  -shown in my photo below. She even had a small orchard of stone fruit. 

Georgia O’Keeffe passed away at the age of 98 in 1986. No doubt she was a brilliant and strong woman who lived her life in grand simplicity. Her ashes are spread on the Pedernal (in northern New Mexico), becoming a part of the landscape which inspired her and that she loved so much. 

I highly recommend a trip out there, but you must sign up well ahead online. Guided tours are approximately an hour and you can find your tickets here.

After our time in Abiquiú, our guide recommended El Farolito for lunch. A small, unassuming cafe that serves authentic New Mexican cuisine. There is one chef in the back, and his beans and green enchiladas were delicious. 

El Farolito
1212 Main Street, El Rito, NM

My favorite meal was at The Shed, located in the heart of Santa Fe. Very casual, no reservations. We waited about 45 minutes, but the fresh margarita’s helped the time pass quickly. 

The Shed Restaurant
113 1/2 E. Palace Avenue, Santa Fe