Aztec New Mexico Magnets

A fun New Mexico design

Remember your visit to the Aztec ruins with this original watercolor painting design.

The flag of the U.S. state of New Mexico consists of a red sun symbol of the Zia people on a field of yellow, and was officially introduced in 1925. It was designed in 1920, to highlight the state's Native American Pueblo and Nuevo México Hispano roots. The colors evoke the flags of Habsburg Spain (the Cross of Burgundy), Spain and the Crown of Aragon, brought by the conquistadors. It is one of four U.S. state flags not to contain the color blue (the other three being Alabama, California, and Maryland). It is the only one of these four not to contain the color white. The flag of the District of Columbia also has no blue, although it is partially white, making the New Mexico flag the only US flag with no blue or white.

Aztec New Year in Mexico falls on March 12 every year. It signifies the start of the New Year according to the Aztec calendar. We often imagine time as a linear concept — a straight line running from point A to B. The Aztecs took a radically different view. Time was a force. It provided energy and change. Time was often a harbinger of miracles. The Aztecs viewed it through a lens of continual creation, destruction, and regeneration. Given the ebb and flow of life itself, we think they were spot on. Aztec New Year celebrates an ancient culture whose ideas still find resonance today.

Historic Main Street - Aztec New Mexico by Debra Martz Spent a few days in Aztec, New Mexico mainly to visit the Aztec Ruins and explore some of the lesser known arches on the back roads. Had some extra time and spent several hours walking the historic downtown. From left to right.. 109 S. Main Avenue Townsend Building, N&SHR Built by Fred W. Townsend to replace a one-story structure destroyed by fire in l910. Mr. Townsend operated a meat market on the lower floor and the family lived on the upper floor. Neo-Classical, pressed metal sheathing and cornice on second story. 107 S. Main Avenue Odd Fellows Hall, N&SHR Odd Fellows Lodge members built this structure in l903 and have occupied the upper floor ever since....

Pillar Arch in Potter Canyon New Mexico by Debra Martz I love the finds on backroads and when I was told there was a brochure to some of the more unknown Arches it was game on. We had a full day to explore but discovered that was not enough time but we did find more than half a dozen arches and saw some wonderful countryside scenery. To reach 3 arches in Potter Canyon you take US 550 north of Aztec toward Durango, Co, make a right on NM 173, travel 5.6 miles and turn right on a dirt road. After 1/2 mile, park at a gas well and search out in 3 different directions for 3 arches. We found Pillar and Outcrop arches but could see nor figure out a slight hint of a trail to Alien Arch! ©Debra Martz 20180902-DSC_7458-HDR-ET

The Great Kiva Aztec Ruins New Mexico by Debra Martz The Great Kiva was a sanctuary and a place for people to meet for community events. This large and restored Kiva is located in the area known as the West Ruins plaza. Archeologist Earl Morris excavated it in 1921 and rebuilt it in 1934. But why named Aztec Ruins? From the brochure, "Don't be fooled by the name. These structures were not built by the Aztec Indians of central Mexico buy by ancestral Pueblo people who lived here centuries before the Aztec empire prospered. Inspired by popular histories about Cortez's conquest of Mexico, and thinkin that the Aztec built these structures, Anglo settlers named the place Aztec!" Digital Art from my original Photography ©Debra Mart...

The Great Kiva Interior Aztec Ruins New Mexico by Debra Martz The Great Kiva was a sanctuary and a place for people to meet for community events. This large and restored Kiva is located in the area known as the West Ruins plaza. Archeologist Earl Morris excavated it in 1921 and rebuilt it in 1934. But why named Aztec Ruins? From the brochure, "Don't be fooled by the name. These structures were not built by the Aztec Indians of central Mexico buy by ancestral Pueblo people who lived here centuries before the Aztec empire prospered. Inspired by popular histories about Cortez's conquest of Mexico, and thinkin that the Aztec built these structures, Anglo settlers named the place Aztec!" Digital Art from my original Photography ©...

A Sorehead Welcome by Debra Martz One of those U-turn moments to get a photo of this Welcome to Aztec sign! We had made a day trip of backroads looking for lesser known natural arches north of Aztec, NM. Spotted this fun sign stating "Home to 6,800 Friendly People and 6 Old Soreheads" upon our return to town. This is my digital remake of the sign in black and white with a somewhat abstract form. @DebraMartz In My Galleries/Collections: Abstracts, Digital Art Photography and Signs 20180902-DSC_7614

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Eye Care Eye Wear by Debra Martz Spent a few days in Aztec, New Mexico mainly to visit the Aztec Ruins and explore some of the lesser known arches on the back roads. Had some extra time and spent several hours walking the historic downtown. I spotted this when on the opposite side of the street and had to cross at once to see it closer. This was over the entrance door and a sign in the window read "iCare iWear". Very clever advertising I thought...definitely gets your attention...at least mine!!

Pretty All American Lamp Post Flowers and Flag by Debra Martz Spent a few days in Aztec, New Mexico mainly to visit the Aztec Ruins and explore some of the lesser known arches on the back roads. Had some extra time and spent several hours walking the historic downtown. Main Street was not extremely long but it was beautifully decorated with lamp posts each adorned with hanging flower baskets and an American Flag. Copyright of Debra Martz 20180903-DSC_7861-ET

Violin Lessons Here by Debra Martz Strolling along main street of the historic district in Aztec, New Mexico, I came across this sign hanging from one of the buildings. I loved the simplicity of this sign advertising violin lessons. There was a hand written sign in the window with name and phone number. Digital manipulations added a painterly effect to the tree and vibrant color to the sky. Copyright of Debra Martz 20180903-DSC_7870-ET