Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, where the art of conversation thrives. I'm your host, James Navé, and I'm delighted to welcome back my guest, Paul O'Connor—a celebrated photographer, sculptor, and visual artist who calls Taos home. Paul's work has left an indelible mark on the art world, and his latest performative book, Taos Portraits: Volume Two, is no exception.

In this episode, we dive deep into the making of this extraordinary book, a collection of 60 black-and-white portraits that capture the essence of Taos's vibrant artistic community. Paul's lens reveals a striking truth: art is a collective experience, and every wrinkle, every story, holds a place in the mosaic of creativity.

We explore Paul's intuitive process, his passion for honoring his subjects, and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating an art book of this caliber. Paul's first volume of Taos Portraits, now a collector's item valued at over $1,000, set the stage for this second installment, which he calls "an enduring art piece."

Because Paul features my portrait in his book, during this conversation, I reflect on what it means to be part of this community—an honor shared by many who have shaped Taos's creative spirit.

Our conversation touches on the wrinkles of time, the celebration of maturity in a youth-driven culture, and the stories behind the faces that define Taos. Recorded across the globe—me in Manila, Paul in Crete—we find ourselves grounded in the universal language of art and storytelling.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to create a high-end art book or how an artist turns intuition into legacy, this episode is for you. Mark your calendars for June 6, 2025, when Paul will officially launch Taos Portraits: Volume Two at the Taos Community Auditorium. Until then, please tune in for an inspiring dialogue about art, life, and the wrinkles that make us who we are. Enjoy the show.

Looking for the Wrinkles with photographer and Taos Portraits' publisher Paul O'Conner

Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio is a podcast devoted to candid, often surprising exchanges with artists, thinkers, and cultural instigators who speak from the core. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the stories and questions that shape our lives.

I’m James Navé—poet, storyteller, educator, and longtime creative collaborator. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and decades of teaching experience across the globe, I help writers and performers tap into their authentic voices through public speaking, creative writing, and the Imaginative Storm method, which I co-developed with Allegra Huston.

My most recent book, 100 Days: A Poetic Memoir After Cancer (3: A Taos Press), documents a hundred days of healing and poetic reckoning. I’m also co-author of Write What You Don’t Know and How to Read for an Audience—practical guides for anyone seeking to speak and write with more truth and power.

I’ve directed festivals, hosted literary salons, taught with Julia Cameron, and memorized over 600 poems. I still believe in the power of a well-told story, the light through stained glass, and the open road with nothing but a podcast and a windshield full of stars.

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