Born in Roswell, New Mexico in 1964, Jim Vogel is the eleventh of twelve children. He sought refuge by escaping into the world of art, drawing and painting became a way to express the stories and ideas heard from his mother, father and maternal grandfather. In particular were the stories of the not too distant past of New Mexico; the working cowboys, outlaws and hard, traditional lives of the elders.

         Influenced by Peter Hurd and Luis Jimenez (cutting edge contemporary artists), this Colorado Institute of Art graduate found himself unfulfilled by the commercial world of art. Jim yearned to break free of constraints. His wife, Christen whom he met at CIA was also a design student and worked along side Jim as a Graphic Designer. Twelve years in the rat race and 2 sons later. Jim turned away from a very successful and promising career to paint full time. In 1999 a successful show in Santa Fe; at the "Cline Fine Art Gallery", brought the Vogel family (now complete with a daughter too) back to New Mexico. It was in a transition to "Blue Rain Gallery" in 2003 (at that time only in Taos) that Jim boomed. Greatened exposure, collector base and really stretching those long legs, Jim took hold of his personal style and jumped head in. Collaborating with his wife on frames gave his pieces the finishing detail they needed. Christen creates richly textured frames from recycled antique tin ceiling panels and other scavenged parts. They have spent the last 8 years in Dixon sharing a studio.

 "I am inspired to paint by many factors. Sometimes I will see sunlight coming through the branches of a tree and striking the water in the acequia (irrigation ditch). Or a shadow on the dirt that vibrates a truly purple color. Or clouds backlit, appearing to glow from within. These are what I call my crystallized moments. They are visual triggers that become set in my minds eye and quite often act as an immediate link to a story or memory." Jim searches out the explanation of his work, but it is something that must be seen. The "rhythm" of the painting literally carries you into the story weaving the people and landscape into a tale of New Mexico rural life. Contemporary art depicting the traditional ways of life. Jim's work is fascinating, bold and whimsical in a single stroke.

 It is because of Jim's powerful, edgy images of New Mexico that we choose to have him as our signature Vivác Winery Label artist. His painting of the mountain that sits opposite the Vivác Winery Tasting Room, represents the traditional and the modern, a mix we find in our wine making approach. Jim is kind enough to design our successive labels as well, showing he has not lost his talent for graphic design either!