'Fueled by family and faith': Albuquerque-artist Eric Romero to be at Contemporary Hispanic Market for the first time

More than a decade ago, Eric Romero attended the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe.

At the time, he walked along Lincoln Avenue with his family looking at the art created by individual artists, who were seated underneath the white tents.

Booth after booth, he was amazed at the art work and dedication that each artist put into their work.

“I was in awe of them,” Romero says. “At the same time, I resented the fact that they were making art and I didn’t have the confidence to do it. My wife and I were broke, but we admired the art and I wanted to be part of it one day.”

Flash forward to 2023, Romero juried into his first Contemporary Hispanic Market and will sell his work at this year’s market.

The Contemporary Hispanic Market runs concurrently with Traditional Spanish Market, which takes place on the Santa Fe Plaza.

The Contemporary Hispanic Market is one of the largest contemporary markets in the United States and it showcases diverse art made by Hispanic artists. While Traditional Spanish Market showcases artists who work within the traditional art form.

Romero is one of the dozens of artists that will be selling their work on Lincoln Avenue in Santa Fe. The market runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s art,” Romero says. “The atmosphere is different than what I’m used to, but I’m ready to take my place at the market.”

Romero admits that he didn’t have plans to try to jury into the market — but was encouraged by fellow artist David Santiago.

“He called me at 1 a.m. and asked me if I was going to submit my work for it,” he says. “I told him I would and asked him when the deadline was. He said it was in a few days. I had to call people to get small paintings back so I could submit them to the market. It was a whirlwind.”

For the last few months, Romero has been cooped up in his studio at Harwood Art Center near Old Town creating — nearly eighteen hours a day.

“It’s been a balance,” he says. “It’s also been a time for me to really look at what I do and keep true to myself in making art.”

Romero is influenced by New Mexico and all of its culture.

His allegorical figurative paintings echo the Old Masters in technique and methodology. Catholicism, mythology and New Mexican social landscape have influenced his oil paintings to tell a rich story of history, culture and mysticism.

As he works with oils, he has learned to not only be patient, but to pay close attention to detail.

“I’m a self-taught artist,” he says. “My first painting, it was a still life and I didn’t take any reference. It was a skull, a bottle, two books and a rosary.”

As his skill level caught up to his ideas, his confidence began to grow more.

Romero has shown at galleries such as Lapis Room and A. Hurd Gallery in the past.

Being part of the Contemporary Hispanic Market gives him the opportunity to expand the reach with his art.

“My art is fueled by family and faith,” he says. “I’ve realized that I’m staying true to that with my art. Then I make it my own. I will add details that make sense and make it my own style. Every day, I see growth and sometimes it’s painful for me. As long as I’m moving forward, that’s the main challenge.”