A book that documents the life and works of Colorado’s master sheepherder-artist, Pacomio M. Chacon (1916–2009).

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Come in and stroll the rocky canyons and high-country aspen groves with the sheepherder and master folk artist, Pacomio (“Paco”) M. Chacon (1916–2009), of Fruita, Colorado. Follow Paco through his old sheep ranges to enjoy this opportunity to view the exceptional images he carved into the cliffs and aspens. As a lonely herder, his favorite subjects were nude or scantily clad “calendar girls.” He typically left these images off the “beaten paths.” They are thus unknown to any but those who commonly roam these remote areas. These lucky few have long acknowledged Paco’s obvious talents and considered him a Colorado treasure. They recognize Paco, an entirely self-taught artist, as the finest sheepherder-artist ever to carve on the cliffs and aspens of the American West. Since his few surviving works are in private collections or widely scattered, this book is the only way they can readily be viewed. Although largely a celebration of the natural female form, Paco’s works are tasteful and respectful. Enjoy this introduction to Paco’s individualized “little gals” and his other chimerically portrayed forest friends. They are certain to make you chuckle, and put a broad smile on your face!

Steven G. Baker is a retired professional archaeologist and ethnohistorian from Montrose, Colorado. He is the founder and president of Centuries Research, Inc. He holds a BA in anthropology from the University of Kansas and an MA in American History from the University of South Carolina. He has done extensive work with the Catawba Indians of the Carolinas and the Utes of Colorado. He also specializes in historical archaeology and American Victorian culture, historic trail studies, and the early Native American contact experiences. He is the author of many articles and technical reports as well as the highly regarded book Juan Rivera’s Colorado, 1765, which was a finalist for the Colorado book award in 2017. He is also the co-author of Baron Lahontan's Mysterious Quest: A Reappraisal of the 1688 Long/Platte River Inland Passage Expedition, also from Sunstone Press.

“Steven Baker has salvaged examples of the rarest of the old Hispanic sheepherder ‘tree writers’ folk art. Anyone interested in sheepherding or folk art will enjoy Pacomio’s masterful celebration of womanhood.” —Duane Smith, PhD, Professor Emeritus in History, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

“Baker well recounts Paco’s life and rare ability to replicate female beauty on rocks and trees.” —Ruth E. Lambert, PhD, Cultural Program Director, San Juan Mountain Alliance, Durango, Colorado.

“This affectionate remembrance evokes a place and time when self-produced ‘pinup girls’ were companions and inspiration for a lonely sheepherder carving his dreams among the rocks and trees of rural Colorado and surrounding regions.” —David Rocke, Executive Director, Western Folk Life Center, Elko, Nevada.

“Steve Baker’s biography of the master folk artist, Pacomio, and his so rare ephemeral artwork has preserved both for all time.” —Rick Hendricks, PhD, former New Mexico state historian, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Softcover:
6 x 9, illustrated
ISBN: 978-1-63293-676-9
150 pp.,$36.95