Stella Maria Baer
Earth Pigment Painter, Photographer, Horsewoman, and Mother
Stella Maria Baer, known for her roles as an Earth Pigment Painter, Photographer, Horsewoman, and Mother in Santa Fe, New Mexico, resides with her husband Seth and their three children at Moon Horse Ranch. The ranch serves as a sanctuary for rescuing slaughterhouse-bound horses, tending to a flock of goats, and hosting workshops that celebrate artistic practices deeply rooted in the natural world.
Stella shared insights into her multifaceted life and artistic endeavors. Reflecting on her current projects, Stella mentioned, "This spring, I’m working on an exhibition of earth and mineral pigment oil paintings for my upcoming exhibition at Taos Art Museum, 'Moon Horse and Sky.'" She elaborated on her upcoming Earth Pigment Oil Paint Making Workshop, stating, "I teach people from all backgrounds how to make oil paint from dirt, rock, sand, and stone."
Stella painting a giant painting of their horse Moon which is part of the exhibition of paintings at Taos Art Museum. | Photo Courtesy of Stella.
Transitioning to Moon Horse Ranch, Stella highlighted their diverse workshops, including Earth Pigment Paint Making, Moon Photography, Natural Dye, and Fleece Spinning. She enthused, "We’re so excited to offer these workshops to anyone looking to deepen their creative practice in ways that honor the earth."
A print Stella took in 2022 of her horse, Moon. | Photo Courtesy of Stella.
Sharing a touching story about a rescued horse, Stella mentioned, "I’m spending time every day with baby Sky, a 9-month-old painted tobiano we rescued from a kill pen in northern New Mexico." Reflecting on her childhood and artistic journey, Stella recounted, "Santa Fe is a high mountain desert. I had a hard time seeing the beauty of where I grew up until I spent some time away." She continued, "While people in my family were always creating things growing up, I didn’t imagine myself making art until after college."
Photo Courtesy of Stella.
Discussing her artistic process and inspirations, Stella noted, "I’m always amazed how the act of picking up a rock, breaking it down into dust, and turning it into paint speaks to people." She shared her admiration for artists like Fairfield Porter and Maynard Dixon, expressing, "I love Fairfield Porter, all the painters of the Wyeth family... They inspire my work deeply." When asked about balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and artist, Stella reflected, "Some days are very hard... Our house is never clean, and the laundry is never folded." However, she expressed gratitude for her life's journey, noting, "Being a mother, wife, and artist is not easy, but nothing worth doing is easy."
Stella concluded with a poignant quote, saying, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to the tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you." This sentiment encapsulated her resilient spirit and deep connection to the earth, art, and family.
