Audio recording of Horacio Valdez speaking with Charles and Janice Rosenak

This interview begins with Chuck and Jan Rosenak interviewing Horacio Valdez’s wife at the Valdez’s residence in New Mexico. They are waiting for Horacio to show up, which he does eventually about three minutes into the recording. The rest of the interview is between the Rosenaks and Horacio. Horacio talks about his childhood, schooling, and his father’s work for the Denver Rio Grande Railroad. He next explains that he worked as a carpenter, doing all kinds of projects from building houses to making cabinets. In 1974, he explains, his right hand was injured in an accident at work, and while he was recuperating, he began to carve. He subsequently decided not to return to work, after he was discovered by Kendra Bowers, Curator at the Taylor Museum, and began to make a living selling his art. Throughout the interview Horatio discusses his technique and the materials he uses for his carving.

Significant portions of this interview are dedicated to Horacio’s membership and participation in his faith community, from which he has become estranged.