The iconic gate to Harmony Hollow is a sculpture by artist, Richard Mocco. Countless visitors to the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area pass the gate every year on the way into the hiking trails.
Mocco was an artist with many talents, know for his paintings, drawings, sculpture, and jewelry. He was the first renting artist at Harmony Hollow and his sculptures decorated the land around the house.
Numerous concrete pedestals which once supported his metal sculptures are still scattered about, but unfortunately only a couple sculptures remain at Harmony Hollow.
We understand that Richard hosted some pretty lively poker games. Legend has it that one of the games left guests stranded as the monsoons rains rushed through the creek and blocked passage.
We’re not sure if this was the actual washout of the driveway, as it happens at least a couple times a year, but it doesn’t look like it dampened Richard’s spirits. Living at Harmony Hollow, one needs to learn to roll with whatever comes your way.
Richard passed away in 2010, but his art lives on in homes around the country. His spirit will live on at Harmony Hollow both with the gate, his sculptures, and other little things we find around. His might have been one of the voices I heard encouraging us on when I first walked in the house.
This plaster cast of Richard’s face is built in to the wall in the basement of the Harmony Hollow house. This level is planned to be art studio space and Steve and I have had a little ongoing debate over whether to leave it as is, or to remove it and display elsewhere in the house, or studio.
This piece is another story that we need background on! We’ll keep you posted as we find out more.
