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NICHOLAS HERRERA

  
  
  
  

above photo credit: David Michael Kennedy

About Nicholas Herrera


Nicholas Herrera is an Outsider / folk artist from Northern New Mexico. His relatives were among the early settlers who came to New Mexico with Onate in 1598. Nicholas is a descendent of landowners, farmers, artists, and soldiers.

As a young man he walked a wild and precariously thin line until a sudden near-death experience, involving a car accident, transformed his trajectory in life.

He now lives a simple life in pursuit of meaning and metaphor through his art as a modern Santero who creates bultos, retablos, and large-scale works from recycled metal. Through the use of wood, natural pigments, and mixed media, Nicholas has exhibited works both locally and nationally that reflect the heritage of traditional santero art and address important contemporary social and political views. His strong personality and his independent spirit determine his powerful paintings and sculptures that depict — aside from the religious icons of his Catholic faith — images of the hardship of rural life, the demons of drugs and alcohol, and the horrors of war and terrorism ...

Meet Nicholas Herrera -  Produced by the Smithsonian Art Museum

(continued)
... Nicholas’ artistic abilities are diverse and each piece speaks of a spiritual nature that transcends traditional religion. He has many life accomplishments with worldwide recognition. His art is featured in over 30 museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Nicholas has also been referenced or written about in hundreds of books and publications including two biographies, Nicholas Herrera: Visions of My Heart and High Riders, and Saints and Death Cars: A Life Saved by Art. He has also received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2006 Award of Distinction from the Folk Art Society of America.

Nicholas has a rich history of supporting and helping others find their own artistic path and to give back to the community. From teaching small school children and troubled teens how to make retablos, to galvanizing a group of artists to create an alter screen for a renovated church, Nicholas has developed his craft fully. His inherent talent, and natural need to create, reveal a deep connection to his past. Nicholas has taught children’s workshops through the Spanish Colonial Art Society, the Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe, the Chicano Arts Festival in Denver, and at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles, among others. Through the years, Nicholas has provided many free seminars and lectures at public libraries, area schools, museums, and churches. Not only has he opened his home to the local youth through residential apprenticeships, he frequently shares his story, art, culture and heritage with international, national and local visitors. Nicholas is still truly a New Mexican “village artist,” residing on his family’s land within the community in which he grew up.

Nicholas has donated countless pieces of art so that organizations, nonprofits and public programs as well as personal friends in need, may benefit by the sale or auctioning of his artwork. He has made numerous donations to museums worldwide as an effort to unify people and cultures. He continues to assist the local moradas and churches with restorations and renovations of religious artwork.

Selected Awards and Honors


Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, New Mexico, 2016
National Folk Art Society, National Award of Distinction, 2006


Selected Collections


Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, Albuquerque, NM
American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY
American History Art Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC
Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
ouse-Sharp Historic Site, Taos, NM
DePaul University Museum, Chicago, IL
El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
El Museo del Barrio, New York, NY
Espanola Convento Museum, Espanola, NM
Flatwater Folk Art Museum, Brownsville, NE
Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
Fowler Museum, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Gene Autry Museum of American Heritage, Los Angeles, CA
Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, NM
Herberger College of Fine Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
La Inglesia de Ojo Caliente Museum, Ojo Caliente, NM
Longwood Center for the Visual Art, Farmville, VA
Luce Foundation Center for American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Malvern College, Music Building, Worcestershire, England
Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM
Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Museum of American Folk Art, New York, NY
Museum of Heritage and Arts, Los Lunas, NM
Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM
Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, Santa Fe, NM
National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
Pecos National Historic Park, Pecos, NM
Price Tower Arts Center, Bartlesville, OK
Regis University Collection of New Mexican Santos, Denver, CO
Ross Art Museum, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH
San Andrea Della Valle Theatine General House, Rome, Italy
Sangre De Cristo Art Center, Pueblo, CO
Santa Fe Children's Museum, Santa Fe, NM
Sheldon Museum of Arts, Lincoln, NE
Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC
The Southern Ohio Museum, Kenny Galleries, Portsmouth, OH
Tia Collection, Santa Fe, NM
Spanish Colonial Art Society Collection, Santa Fe, NM
Taylor Museum, Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Colorado Springs, CO
The Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, IL
The Terra Foundation of American Art, Paris, France
University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
William and Ann Oppenheimer Collection, Richmond, VA

Available Work


Nicholas Herrera, Bendicíon de mi Chevy
Bendicíon de mi Chevy
acrylic on hand carved wood, 20.25" x 18" x 9.25"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Preparando el Horno
Preparando el Horno
acrylic on hand carved wood, 24" x 24"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Bendicíon
Bendicíon
wood and natural pigments, 36" x 28" x 2"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Corazon de Fierro
Corazon de Fierro
recyled metal, 29" x 23" x 5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Corazon de Paz
Corazon de Paz
recycled metal, antique ice tongs, old rakes, 20" x 25.5" x 3"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Zozobra
Zozobra
handcarved wood and acrylic, 21.5" x 10.75" x 12"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Rancho Escondido
Rancho Escondido
mixed media, 24" x 26.5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Percha de la Familia
Percha de la Familia
recycled metal, 15' x 4'CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, La Cruz con Calaveras
La Cruz con Calaveras
recycled metal, 76" x 46.5" x 10"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Invierno en el Norte de Nuevo Mexico
Invierno en el Norte de Nuevo Mexico
acrylic on hand carved wood, 42.5" x 45.5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Buffalo Rider
Buffalo Rider
crylic on wood, 24" x 24"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Shot Gun Wedding
Shot Gun Wedding
acrylic on wood, 43.5" x 45.5" x 1.5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Buscando Almas
Buscando Almas
acrylic on hand carved wood, 22" x 48" x 24"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Pantalons
Pantalons
recycled metal, 34" x 20" x 5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Tango
Tango
acrylic on hand carved wood, 24.5" x 24"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Segundo Guerra Mundial WWII
Segundo Guerra Mundial (WWII)
mixed-media, 18" x 13" x 11"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Chingalé
Chingalé
recycled metal, 59" x 29"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, La Reina the Queen
La Reina the Queen
recycled metal, 55" x 39"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Ángel de los Muerte (Angel of Death)
Ángel de los Muerte (Angel of Death)
recycled metal, 36" x 41" x 2.5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Our Lady of Fatimas
Our Lady of Fatima
acrylic on wood, 25" x 9.5" x 10"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, San Isidro
San Isidro
acrylic on panel, 9.5" x 14.5"CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, La Delta
La Delta
hand carved wood and mixed media
49 x 35 x 22
CLICK FOR INQUIRY
Nicholas Herrera, Perdonalos
Perdonalos
handcarved wood with acrylic
26 x 21 x 8
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Nicholas Herrera, La Cosecha del Otoño
La Cosecha del Otoño
hand carved wood and mixed media
19.5 x 22.5 x 9
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Nicholas Herrera, In Memoria de las Enharadoras
In Memoria de las Enharadoras
acrylic on wood
14 x 18.5
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Nicholas Herrera, La Fiesta de la Casa Nueva
La Fiesta de la Casa Nueva
acrylic on wood
16 x 24
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Nicholas Herrera, El Vacquero
El Vacquero
hand carved wood and mixed media
25.5 x 16 x 12
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Nicholas Herrera, La Corona
La Corona
mix media: recycled antique auto parts
92 x 88 x 30
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Nicholas Herrera, Corazón de Tres Bales
Corazón de Tres Bales
mixed media
9 x 6.5 x 1
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Nicholas Herrera, Ultima Paranda
Ultima Paranda
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, mixed media
14 x 12 x 3.5
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Nicholas Herrera, Dolor
Dolor
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
8 x 5.5 x 5
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Nicholas Herrera, Por Tu Pasion
Por Tu Pasion
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
24 x 24
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Nicholas Herrera, Altar Dedicado a Mi Hermano
Altar Dedicado a Mi Hermano
hand carved wood with natural pigments
129 x 62 x 13.25
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Nicholas Herrera, Los Dolores de Una Madre
Los Dolores de Una Madre
hand carved wood with natural pigments, mixed media
46 x 14 x 18
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Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu
Corazón Scraffito
Wood and natural pigments
21.5 x 18
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Nicholas Herrera, Corazón de Chevy
Corazón de Chevy
hand carved painted wood with car paint
18 x 14.25 x 1.5
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Nicholas Herrera, Mi Amor
Mi Amor
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
7 x 4 x 3.5
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Nicholas Herrera, Nuestra de Senora de Guadalupe
Nuestra de Senora de Guadalupe
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
13.5 x 11.5
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Nicholas Herrera, San Isidro
San Isidro II
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
30.75 x 25 x 9
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Nicholas Herrera, Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
34.75 x 28.5
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Nicholas Herrera, Shotgun Wedding
Shotgun Wedding
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
43.5 x 45.5 x 1.5
Nicholas Herrera, San Jose
San Jose
Retablos, Wood and glass with Natural Pigments
28 x 23.5 x 2.5
Nicholas Herrera, El Mano de Corazón
El Mano de Corazón
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
22 x 20
Nicholas Herrera, Dolor
Dolor
mixed media, 41" x 27" x 3"
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón de Paz
Corazón de Paz
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
9 x 8 x 6.5
Nicholas Herrera, Corazon de Fierro
Corazon de Fierro
recyled metal, 29"x 23" x 5"
Nicholas Herrera, Cristo de mi Corazón II
Cristo de mi Corazón II
hand carved wood with acrylic
22.75 x 19.5 x 5.5
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu des los Mujeres Santas
Espiritu des los Mujeres Santas
Retablos, Wood with Natural Pigments
72 x 55
Nicholas Herrera, El Rito Summer
El Rito Summer
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
24 x 24 x 2
Nicholas Herrera, La Bendición de Los Muertos
La Bendición de Los Muertos
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
16 x 28 x 12.5
Nicholas Herrera, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
hand carved wood with natural pigments
29.5 x 18.5
Nicholas Herrera, Tormento
Tormento
recycled metal, 31" x 42"
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu
Espiritu
Bulto, Mixed Media
57 x 42 x 11.5
Nicholas Herrera, Justicia
Justicia
mix media
17 x 15 x 1.75
Nicholas Herrera, El Rito Santero
El Rito Santero
acrylic on hand carved wood, 12" x 20" x 13.25"
Nicholas Herrera, El Purgatorio y el Diablo
El Purgatorio y el Diablo
acrylic on hand carved wood, 24" x 22.5"
Nicholas Herrera, Justicia
Justicia
acrylic on hand carved wood, 24" x 48"
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Corazón de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Hand carved wood with natural pigments
22" x 21" x 3"
Nicholas Herrera, San Pasqual with Pizza
San Pasqual with Pizza
acrylic on wood, 11.25" x 11"
Nicholas Herrera, Las Cruces
Las Cruces
wood and mixed media
48 x 5.25 x 36
Nicholas Herrera, San Roque
San Roque
Retablos, Wood with Natural Pigments
45 x 28
Nicholas Herrera, San Miguel
San Miguel
acrylic on wood, 48.5" x 24.25"
Nicholas Herrera, Inferno
Inferno
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
48 x 23.25
Nicholas Herrera, Compasión
Compasión
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, mixed media
14.5 x 32.5 x 17.5
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu del Cerebro
Espiritos de la Ventana
hand carved wood, antique window, tinwork and natural pigments
58 x 35
Nicholas Herrera, Corazónes en Llamas
Corazónes en Llamas
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
9.5 x 7 x 7
Nicholas Herrera, Rancho Alegre
Rancho Alegre
acrylic on hand carved wood
24 x 18
Nicholas Herrera, Dia Soleado (Sunny Day)
Dia Soleado (Sunny Day)
recycled metal, 15" x 12"
Nicholas Herrera, Cruz de los Siete Dolores
Cruz de los Siete Dolores
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
44 x 33 x 3.5
Nicholas Herrera, Cruzar Picaporte
Cruzar Picaporte
hand carved barnwood with license plates + doorknob
40.5 x 27
Nicholas Herrera, La Boda de los Muertos
La Boda de los Muertos
acrylic on hand carved wood, 12" x 16"
Nicholas Herrera, Corazon
Corazon
recycled metal, 39" x 44"
Nicholas Herrera, Cruzando La Frontera
Cruzando La Frontera
acrylic on panel, 24" x 48.25"
Nicholas Herrera, Tuercas y Tornillos
Tuercas y Tornillos
recycled metal, 76" x 46.5" x 10"
Nicholas Herrera, Tuercas y Tornillos II
Tuercas y Tornillos II
recycled metal, 76" x 46.5" x 10"
Nicholas Herrera, Santitos de mi madre
Santitos de mi madre
Hand carved wood with natural pigments
33.5 x 13 x 6
Nicholas Herrera, La Comienza de la Lumbre/The Beginning of the Midnight Fire
La Comienza de la Lumbre/The Beginning of the Midnight Fire
acrylic on panel, 24" x 24"
Nicholas Herrera, Despues de la Lumbre/After the Midnight Fire
Despues de la Lumbre/After the Midnight Fire
acrylic on panel, 24" x 24"
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón Truncado
Corazón Truncado
mixed media
22.5 x 17.5 x 4.5
Nicholas Herrera, San Drogo
San Drogo
acrylic on antique coffee grinder
12.75" x 8" x 8"
Nicholas Herrera, La Tierra O El Muerte
La Tierra O El Muerte
mixed media
12.5 x 14 x 7
Nicholas Herrera, Cristo de Mi Corazón
Cristo de Mi Corazón
bronze
22 x 18 x 8
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón De Requiado
Corazón De Requiado
mixed media
19.5 x 14.5 x 1
Nicholas Herrera, New Mexico Cruise
New Mexico Cruise
Hand carved wood with natural pigments
4 x 5
Nicholas Herrera, Estribo de Corazón
Estribo de Corazón
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, mixed media
7 x 6 x 2
Nicholas Herrera, Por El Amor de Dios
Por El Amor de Dios
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
26 x 25
Nicholas Herrera, El Mayor Domo
El Mayor Domo
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments
15 x 20 x 11
Nicholas Herrera, Por Tu Pasion, II
Por Tu Pasion, II
Hand carved wood with natural pigments
34 x 26 x 6
Nicholas Herrera, Trabajando en El Rancho
Trabajando en El Rancho
Retablo, Hand carved wood with natural pigments
23.75 x 29.75
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón Quebrado
Corazón Quebrado
mixed media
20 x 16 x 1
Nicholas Herrera, Rosas Para Ti
Rosas Para Ti
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, mixed media
21.5 x 16.75 x 2.75
Nicholas Herrera, Cristo Crucificado III
Cristo Crucificado III
hand carved wood with natural pigments
21 x 16 x 6
Nicholas Herrera, Mi Corazón Mestizo
Mi Corazón Mestizo
Hand carved wood with natural pigments, Mixed Media
25.5 x 17 x 14
Nicholas Herrera, Siete Hermanas
Siete Hermanas
mixed media
34 x 11
Nicholas Herrera, Cruz y Alma
Cruz y Alma
mixed media
34 x 11
Nicholas Herrera, El Diablo
El Diablo
hand carved wood with natural pigments, mixed media
16 x 36.5 x 15
Nicholas Herrera, Cristo Con Los Antepasados
Cristo Con Los Antepasados
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, Mixed media
12 x 6.75 x 3
Nicholas Herrera, St Cecelia Patron Saint of Music
St Cecelia Patron Saint of Music
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
42 x 25
Nicholas Herrera, Key to my Heart
Key to my Heart
hand carved barnwood with barbed wire and doorknob
25 x 22 x 3
Nicholas Herrera, Zozobra
Zozobra
Hand carved wood with natural and acrylic pigments, mixed media
13.5 x 6 x 4
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu del Cerebro
Espiritu del Cerebro
Retablos, Wood with Natural Pigments
23 x 19
Nicholas Herrera, Santa Rita
Santa Rita
hand carved wood with natural pigments
16 x 5.75 x 6.5
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón Rebelde
Corazón Rebelde
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments and mixed media
9.5 x 5.5 x 4.25
Nicholas Herrera, Pescando Malos Vicios
Pescando Malos Vicios
mixed media
28.5 x 30 x 19
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón Cerrado
Corazón Cerrado
wood and mixed media
24 x 5 x 23.5
Nicholas Herrera, Yo Soy El Gallo
Yo Soy El Gallo
metal, mixed media
48 x 53 x 19
Nicholas Herrera, Wagon Wheel Cross I
Wagon Wheel Cross I
recycled wood
14 x 12.5
Nicholas Herrera, La Cruz de mi Alma
La Cruz de mi Alma
hand carved wood mixed media
38 x 26.25 x 5.5
Nicholas Herrera, Cristo Crucificado
Cristo Crucificado II
hand carved wood with natural pigments
32 x 23 x 9
Nicholas Herrera, Alma de Corazón
Alma de Corazón
handpainted wood with natural pigments
19 x 21
Nicholas Herrera, Forgive Them
Forgive Them
hand carved painted wood and mixed media
16 x 20.75 x 11
Nicholas Herrera, Santuario, Retablo
Santuario, Retablo
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
9.5 x 10.5
Nicholas Herrera, Shotgun Wedding
Santero del Rito
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
11.25 x 13.5
Nicholas Herrera, San Isidro
La Luz de la Virgen de Guadalupe
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
30.75 x 25 x 9
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu
Espiritu
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
51 x 33.5 x 5
Nicholas Herrera, Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
22 x 14.5 x 1.5
Nicholas Herrera, El Baile
El Baile
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
20 x 23.5
Nicholas Herrera, Corozon de Oro
Corazón de Oro
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
23x19x1
Nicholas Herrera, Fiesta de los Muertos
Fiesta de los Muertos
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
24 x 24
Nicholas Herrera, La Fiesta del Rito
La Fiesta del Rito
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
23 x 48 x 5
Nicholas Herrera, Espiritu del Corazón
Espiritu del Corazón
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
24 x 24
Nicholas Herrera, Corazón di Cristo
Corazón di Cristo
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
32 x 15.5
Nicholas Herrera, Bone Yard
Bone Yard
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
24 x 24
Nicholas Herrera, Tres Cuentos
Tres Cuentos
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments, metal chain
39 x 23
Nicholas Herrera, Still Pumping at 51
Still Pumping at 51
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
17 x 18 x 10
Nicholas Herrera, Santuario de Chimayo
Santuario de Chimayo
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
33 x 24 x 5
Nicholas Herrera, Santiago
Santiago
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
15 x 24
Nicholas Herrera, San Isidro
San Isidro
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
24 x 36
Nicholas Herrera, Santa Gertrudis
Santa Gertrudis
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
46 x 34
Nicholas Herrera, Romper el Mustang
Romper el Mustang
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
20 x 23.5
Nicholas Herrera, Rancho el Rito
Rancho el Rito
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
19 x 18
Nicholas Herrera, Rancho Del Oso
Rancho del Oso
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
21 x 34
Nicholas Herrera, La Ventana De Los Santos
La Ventana De Los Santos
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
36 x 31 x 5
Nicholas Herrera, La Luna de Caballo
La Luna de Caballo
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
16 x 20
Nicholas Herrera, La Boda Espiritu
La Boda Espiritu
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
53 x 7 x 48
Nicholas Herrera, Infierno I
Infierno I
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
39x x 31 x 13
Nicholas Herrera, Fantasmas des Búfalos
Fantasmas des Búfalos
hand carved painted wood with natural pigments
24 x 49