Malpais Formation

MARTHA MARKS COMMENTS ON BERNARD MARKS’ “MALPAIS FORMATION,” AN ARTISTIC PORTRAYAL OF AN ANCIENT LAVA FLOW:

“Malpais Formation” depicts a real scene in one of New Mexico’s two remarkable volcanic areas.

One of them is Valley of Fires Recreation Area near the small southern town of Carrizozo, well off the fast-moving tourist track.

The second, El Malpais National Monument, lies in the northwestern part of the state, just east of Arizona, south of I-40. Each year, millions of tourists fly by on their way to somewhere else, complete unaware of the remarkable landscape just a short distance off the highway.

Malpais is the Spanish word for “badlands,” which tells us what the original European settlers thought of them. These unique landscapes combine black rock left behind from ancient lava flows and, in a few spots, more colorful rocks, as seen here.

Badlands landscapes like “Malpais Formation” fascinated Bernie. Some might describe them as all-black wastelands. But he discovered  a range of special shapes and colors in these rough rocks and tough grasses and hardy cacti and small, rugged trees. This piece almost feels like an abstract painting, except it’s not. It’s real.


This original painting is available for purchase, as are large, top-quality, custom-made giclée prints.

  • oil on canvas, ready for hanging or framing
  • 24″ x 20″

TO PLACE AN ORDER…

Choose a link below for the painting or print of your choice. (Prices include all applicable taxes. If shipping is needed, that additional cost will depend on the distance from Santa Fe and the speed desired.)

1. ORIGINAL PAINTING: $2,200

2. GICLEE PRINT ON THICK ARCHIVAL PAPER, same size as the original, ready for framing: $550

3. PRINT ON GALLERY-WRAPPED CANVAS, same size as the original, ready for hanging or framing: $550

Contact Martha Marks if you’d prefer a different size print.

Return to the NEW MEXICO page of the Oils and Acrylics section.


This painting and all reproductions of it are © Bernard Marks Fine Art LLC. No unauthorized use is permitted. All rights reserved.