Go fund Doug West
The artist at work
DOUG WEST HAS BEEN capturing the landscape and light of the Southwest for over three decades — his work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. West shows at the Blue Rain Gallery and has a long history in both Santa Fe and Taos.
He recently suffered severe burns due to a water heater explosion, so Tempo reached out to his daughter, Sasha, to find out more.
Hi Sasha, so sorry to hear of this terrible accident — please tell us what happened and how the community can help?
My dad’s water heater had gone out, and when he went to relight it, there was an explosion. He suffered severe, extensive burns. In terms of help: The many cards he’s received at the hospital have meant so much to him and the family. That address is: Methodist Hospital, Doug West--Room #724 c/o MSICU, 7700 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229. We have also started a GoFundMe to help him with what will surely be astronomical hospital bills: gofund.me/479320d2.
Your father has history in Taos, can you tell us a little about it ?
My dad lived there full-time until 2012. He moved there before 2001 — maybe 1999? I don’t know the exact year, but he was there for over a decade. He owned a gallery in Arroyo Seco for a good portion of that time. He was really involved with the neighborhood out on Tune Dr. — I think it’s called the Stagecoach Neighborhood — and he founded the neighborhood association there. Before Taos, he lived in Socorro for many years, where he also once had a gallery, and where he was active on City Council.
How will this affect his ability to paint?
He has been working with a physical therapy team that specializes in burns since the fifth day after the accident. They started to working with him so early in order that he can retain his full range of motion as the burns heal. They have designed exercises to help him be able to paint again, which he does every day when he’s not in surgery.
They are very optimistic about his recovery, but since his hands suffered some of the most severe burns, it will just take a long time before he can paint again.
Anything else you’d like our readers to be aware of?
The state selected one of his serigraphs to represent New Mexico on the 2012 centennial stamp. New Mexico Magazine is honoring his work in 2023. This is more for you than readers, but he’s represented by Blue Rain Gallery and they have videos and images for him on their site if you need anything else: blueraingallery.com/artists/ doug-west.