Los Ranchos gallery melds two passions

The gallery at 8312 Fourth NW, between Ranchitos and El Pueblo, serves as a live/work space where Iris can display her own artwork and a small selection of works by other artists. It also has a kitchen area where she produces a range of specialty chocolate truffles and confections and mixes for cookies, brownies and cakes.

	The Chocolate Art Gallery What: Handmade chocolate truffles and other confections, sculpture, wood carving and paintings. Where: 8312 Fourth NW, Los Ranchos Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday Phone: 717-1025 Web: www.thechocolate artgallery.com

These are no run-of-the-mill chocolates or mixes. Iris’ truffles are flavored with intriguing ingredients like red chile, crystallized ginger, walnuts and coffee. Her Enchanted Cookie Dough and Blissful Brownie mix also come in chile-flavored versions that give a delightful blend of hot and sweet tastes.

For the unabashed chocolate addict, there is the “river of chocolate” cake mix, which bakes into a cake with a bubbly chocolate sauce at the center.

“I love to feed people that love to eat,” Iris said.

She makes the chocolates and mixes in small quantities for individual orders.

Iris’ other love, artwork, includes paintings on silk, acrylics and mixed media. Her three-dimensional work includes wood carvings and stone sculptures.

Iris uses only hand tools, working with different types of alabaster and soapstone. Many of her sculptures are of female forms, revealing themes like strength triumphing over adversity.

Formerly a fashion industry executive in California, Iris honed her artistic skills while recovering from a serious accident.

She moved to New Mexico about two years ago after spending several years in Florida. Although she misses the ocean, she felt drawn to New Mexico, which she had visited, after the economic downturn of 2008. She appreciates what she calls “the great spirit of community” she has found in Albuquerque.