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More than a decade ago, Eric Romero attended the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe.

At the time, he walked along Lincoln Avenue with his family looking at the art created by individual artists, who were seated underneath the white tents.

Booth after booth, he was amazed at the art work and dedication that each artist put into their work.

鈥淚 was in awe of them,鈥� Romero says. 鈥淎t the same time, I resented the fact that they were making art and I didn鈥檛 have the confidence to do it. My wife and I were broke, but we admired the art and I wanted to be part of it one day.鈥�

Flash forward to 2023, Romero juried into his first Contemporary Hispanic Market and will sell his work at this year鈥檚 market.

The Contemporary Hispanic Market runs concurrently with Traditional Spanish Market, which takes place on the Santa Fe Plaza.

The Contemporary Hispanic Market is one of the largest contemporary markets in the United States and it showcases diverse art made by Hispanic artists. While Traditional Spanish Market showcases artists who work within the traditional art form.

Romero is one of the dozens of artists that will be selling their work on Lincoln Avenue in Santa Fe. The market runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to seeing everyone else鈥檚 art,鈥� Romero says. 鈥淭he atmosphere is different than what I鈥檓 used to, but I鈥檓 ready to take my place at the market.鈥�

Romero admits that he didn鈥檛 have plans to try to jury into the market 鈥� but was encouraged by fellow artist David Santiago.

鈥淗e called me at 1 a.m. and asked me if I was going to submit my work for it,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 told him I would and asked him when the deadline was. He said it was in a few days. I had to call people to get small paintings back so I could submit them to the market. It was a whirlwind.鈥�

For the last few months, Romero has been cooped up in his studio at Harwood Art Center near Old Town creating 鈥� nearly eighteen hours a day.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a balance,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also been a time for me to really look at what I do and keep true to myself in making art.鈥�

Romero is influenced by New Mexico and all of its culture.

His allegorical figurative paintings echo the Old Masters in technique and methodology. Catholicism, mythology and New Mexican social landscape have influenced his oil paintings to tell a rich story of history, culture and mysticism.

As he works with oils, he has learned to not only be patient, but to pay close attention to detail.

鈥淚鈥檓 a self-taught artist,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y first painting, it was a still life and I didn鈥檛 take any reference. It was a skull, a bottle, two books and a rosary.鈥�

As his skill level caught up to his ideas, his confidence began to grow more.

Romero has shown at galleries such as Lapis Room and A. Hurd Gallery in the past.

Being part of the Contemporary Hispanic Market gives him the opportunity to expand the reach with his art.

鈥淢y art is fueled by family and faith,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e realized that I鈥檓 staying true to that with my art. Then I make it my own. I will add details that make sense and make it my own style. Every day, I see growth and sometimes it鈥檚 painful for me. As long as I鈥檓 moving forward, that鈥檚 the main challenge.鈥�