Rebecca Salsbury (Strand) James

Rebecca Salsbury Strand James (1891–1968) was self-taught American painter, born in London, England of American parents traveling with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. She grew up on New York City’s Upper West Side and attended the Ethical Culture School starting in 1905. She later married photographer Paul Strand in 1922 and became part of the circle of artists associated with Alfred Stieglitz. In 1926, she and Strand traveled in the Southwest, visiting Mesa Verde National Park as well as Denver, Santa Fe, and Taos. In 1929 she returned to New Mexico and introduced brought Georgia O’Keeffe on her first trip to the state, where they spent time primarily in Taos. She returned in 1930, 1931, and 1932 and after her divorce from Strand in 1933, she relocated to Taos. She continued her friendship with members of Mabel Dodge Luhan’s circle and in 1937 married William James, a businessman from Colorado who lived there. She is known for her landscapes and still lifes painted on glass and her involvement with the revival of colcha embroidery. She remained in Taos until her death. (Ware, 2019).