The winding arroyos and riverbeds of Northern New Mexico hold not just water and stone, but also the gnarled, sun-bleached driftwood that, in the hands of a master, can be transformed into figures of enduring spirit and grace. Ben Ortega Sr. (1923-1998) of Tesuque, New Mexico, was such a master, a celebrated santero and folk artist who, along with his family, carved a lasting legacy from the native woods of his beloved homeland, with his driftwood angels and saints becoming iconic expressions of New Mexican faith and artistry.
Born in Tesuque, New Mexico, in 1923, Ben Ortega's path to becoming an internationally recognized woodcarver was not a deliberately planned one, though he had carved small figures since childhood. After serving in the 240th Combat Engineers during World War II, he returned home and trained in cabinet making and machine shop work in Santa Fe. He was contemplating a move to California to find work when a fortuitous moment shifted his destiny. To pass the time while waiting, he carved a small figure of Saint Francis and a Madonna. When asked if he had anything to contribute to a benefit sale for the Santa Fe Opera, Ben donated these two carvings. They sold immediately, and that very evening, a woman from New York knocked on his door asking for "Ben Ortega, the artist." Though he humbly replied, "No, I'm just Ben Ortega," this event marked the true beginning of his career as a carver. Commissions quickly followed, and he became known for his signature style that emphasized the natural grain and form of the wood, bringing forth figures with graceful lines and delicate features that reflected his deep spirituality.
Ben Ortega worked primarily with local woods like cottonwood, aspen, cedar, and especially driftwood, which he would gather himself. His faith and his love for the Tesuque Valley were profound inspirations. He often said he "saw" the figures within the wood before he even began to carve, letting the natural shapes guide his hand. His subjects included saints (Saint Francis being a particular favorite and often considered his first successful piece), Madonnas, nativities, and, notably, angels. While it's difficult to definitively state he carved the very first driftwood angel in a historical sense, Ben Ortega was certainly a pivotal figure in popularizing and mastering the art of creating spiritual figures, including angels, from driftwood, making them a recognized and beloved form of New Mexico folk art. His approach was to work with the wood, allowing its inherent character to shine through in the finished piece.
The tradition of carving became a family affair. Ben Ortega Sr. taught his children, including Louise, Pete, and Joe, the art of woodcarving. They learned to see the potential in the twisted branches and roots their father collected, and many of them have become accomplished artists in their own right, continuing and evolving the distinctive Ortega family style. Their gallery in Tesuque, often named El Dulce Hogar ("Home Sweet Home"), became a destination for collectors and admirers of their heartfelt work. Ben Ortega Sr. received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including Grand Prize awards at Santa Fe's prestigious Spanish Market and was honored as a Santa Fe Living Treasure in 1986. His work is held in collections worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution.
Why Ben Ortega and His Family are a Must-Know:
The Ortega family, with Ben Ortega Sr. as its patriarch, represents a vital and beloved tradition in New Mexico folk art.
- Master of Driftwood Carving: Ben Ortega Sr. was exceptionally skilled at transforming found driftwood into spiritual and evocative figures, particularly angels and saints, respecting the natural contours and grain of the wood.
- Continuation of Santero Tradition: As a santero, Ben Ortega continued a centuries-old Hispanic tradition of creating religious images, making it accessible and deeply personal.
- A Family Legacy: The Ortegas are a multi-generational carving family, with Ben's skills and devotion passed down to his children, who continue to create and innovate within the family's artistic lineage from their workshops near Santa Fe.
- Accidental Beginnings, Lasting Impact: The story of his career being launched by a small donation to a Santa Fe Opera benefit sale highlights the organic and community-connected nature of his artistic emergence.
- Spirit of New Mexico: Their work, deeply rooted in the landscape and faith of Northern New Mexico, captures a unique spiritual and artistic essence of the region, making their carvings cherished by collectors and visitors alike.
5 Things Most People Don't Know About Ben Ortega and His Family:
- WWII Service: Ben Ortega Sr. served for three years with the 240th Combat Engineers in World War II, seeing action in Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines, an experience that made him deeply appreciate his return to the Tesuque Valley.
- The "Accidental Artist" Start: He never initially planned to be a professional artist. His career truly began when two small carvings he made "just to pass the time" (a Saint Francis and a Madonna) sold instantly at a Santa Fe Opera benefit, leading to immediate commissions.
- Early Encouragement: Even before the Opera sale, as a boy, Ben made small carvings. He once gave two small Indian figures he carved to Mrs. Myrtle Stedman (an artist and builder for whom he worked picking fruit) because she admired them so much.
- Wood Gathering as a Spiritual Practice: For the Ortegas, particularly Louise, the act of going into the mountains and arroyos to gather driftwood is a significant part of the creative process, a time of connection with nature where they begin to "see" the figures within the wood.
- International Recognition from a Humble Workshop: Despite the often humble origins of their materials and their workshop in Tesuque, Ben Ortega Sr.'s work, and subsequently that of his family, has achieved international recognition, appearing in museums and private collections worldwide, and even on the set of Perry Como's "Christmas in Santa Fe."
The carvings of Ben Ortega and his family offer a tangible connection to the artistic soul and spiritual heritage of Northern New Mexico, with each piece of wood telling a story of faith, family, and the beauty found in nature.
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