Fechin is best known for his emotionally charged portraits, often of Native American or local Taos figures, rendered in bold, gestural brushwork that borders on abstraction. His palette was rich and earthy, drawing from the tones of adobe walls, sunbaked desert, and the vibrant textiles of the Pueblo cultures he admired. Though he was classically trained, Fechin broke away from realism’s rigidity, instead allowing texture and movement to define his subjects. His Taos portraits and interiors radiate life, energy, and soul—and it was precisely this unfiltered expressiveness that deeply resonated with Barbara Cleary.

Barbara Cleary, a contemporary American artist, originally worked in watercolor but eventually transitioned to oil painting, directly inspired by Fechin’s ability to layer emotion and intensity into his work. She recognized in his paintings a depth of feeling that watercolor could not always capture—especially when trying to express the vastness and emotional charge of the New Mexican landscape. As a result, her oil works exhibit a more textured, dynamic surface, filled with movement, color harmony, and gestural freedom.

Fechin’s time in Taos was also marked by his architectural creativity—his hand-carved furniture, doors, and beams in the now-preserved Fechin House reflect his desire to integrate art into every corner of life. Barbara Cleary reflects this same sensibility in her subject matter, choosing to portray not only landscapes but also the essence of life in Taos—the rhythm of adobe dwellings, the shadow play on mountain walls, and the ephemeral beauty of New Mexico skies.

Studying the collection of Barbara Cleary, one can find paintings that subtly echo Fechin’s spirit. Works like “Taos Mountains”, and “County Line” capture the same reverent awe for the land and its energies. In “Taos Mountains,” for instance, the layered brushstrokes and glowing horizon line reflect the kind of emotive realism that Fechin pioneered. Though Cleary typically leans more into landscapes and florals rather than portraiture, both artists share a commitment to portraying aliveness—not just what the eye sees, but what the soul feels.

Stylistically, Cleary’s use of color is often more dreamlike and ethereal compared to Fechin’s heavier impasto and earth-driven palette. Her florals and abstract works, while gentler in tone, still carry the same intention: to translate the spirit of place and presence into form. Where Fechin might emphasize the contours of a cheek or the texture of a shawl, Cleary is more likely to let color and light tell the story. Yet, both artists allow for impressionistic freedom, welcoming the viewer into an immersive, emotional space.

What sets Cleary apart is her deep focus on contemporary Southwest life, particularly the feminine and natural mysticism of the region. Her art often celebrates the stillness and sacredness of everyday moments—sunlight on a mesa, the bloom of desert wildflowers, or the hum of a pueblo evening. In this way, her work is a continuation of the Taos artistic lineage, bringing a modern, feminine voice into a legacy that began with early 20th-century pioneers like Fechin, Georgia O’Keeffe, and the Taos Society of Artists.

Ultimately, Fechin and Cleary are bound by more than geography. Both artists came to Taos seeking transformation—and found it in the textures, people, and spiritual power of the land. Through different mediums and eras, they each reflect the magnetic pull of New Mexico as a muse, offering us timeless visual meditations on presence, place, and the beauty of becoming.

Decorating with landscape art is not just about filling a wall; it’s about transforming your space with the timeless allure of nature’s grandeur. Let Barbara Cleary’s exquisite landscape paintings infuse your home with the spirit of the Southwest, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature that resonates with both beauty and meaning.