I was already fascinated with the story of the Mogollon Mining District. It's an incredibly rugged area, wild and lonely to this day. She keeps her knowledge of Silver City's historic districts sharp by leading walking tours for the Silver City Museum. I conducted a walking tour for a Western New Mexico University class on immigrants in southwestern New Mexico. I showed the students the Victorian buildings and the old stonework on Chihuahua Hill.
Silver City is an interesting mix of cultures and architecture.
It's no wonder artists are attracted to it. Claridge herself has taken up art in the last few years. With pastels she has been able to communicate her feeling for the land. It seems I come back to that no matter what I experiment with. Sooner or later I have to express what I feel about this powerful land, whether in my art or my writing.