Ed Mell

(1942–2024)

A remembrance by Josh Rose

 “I’m not a joiner, Josh,” Ed once told me when I asked if he were participating in some new Western show. Fiercely independent, even until the end, Ed was gracious, kind, caring and, above all, humble.

 What I admired most about Ed was his dedication to his craft. A true creator, he was happiest painting (and, of course, talking about his children and wonderful wife, Rose Marie). He created all day, every day. Ed dealt with tragedy in his life, and this was transformed by his capacity to create art. Creating beauty … for us. I marvel at the human ability to turn tragedy into beauty, and he did so seemingly without effort.

 Ed’s struggle was not to get into the studio, but to leave. This is why his studio always felt like a sanctuary to me. Ed loved talking about his work, which made so many young artists glow in the knowledge he happily shared with them. Sometimes, he’d ask me to arrange a group of new and upcoming artists for him to share a meal with. He was eager to learn about them; it was important to him to have these connections. Ed would share and listen and support, always with a positive comment and that generous, wonderful smile and laugh we all remember.

 Ed and Rose Marie had arranged to rent a house in Santa Fe this summer. When I visited him a few days before he left us, his last words to me were, “Josh, I will see you in Santa Fe this summer. Don’t count me out yet.” He’s here.

La Luz de Taos exhibition 2024 is dedicated to the memory of our good friend.

Photos courtesy of Rose Marie Mell