Marfa, Texas: A Visual Diary on 35mm Film: Part One

Presidio County Courthouse & downtown Marfa

Did you see the Marfa, Texas feature on 60 Minutes last week? It does just “feel right” out there.

I’m lucky enough to be able to drive there. It’s a good seven hours, but the landscape keeps me occupied.

Don’t make the mistake (we often do) of taking this drive at night. There are animals everywhere on that last hour and a half, once you leave the interstate. Well, that’s my experience coming from the East. If you’re coming from the West, you’ve got an hour drive off the interstate.

Some people I speak to fear Marfa will become overpopulated, but others feel like you really have to want to be there, to be there. Does that make sense? It’s a trek and as a local pointed out on a recent visit, Target is three hours by car.

Prada Marfa

I will say that on this most recent visit (three weeks ago) there were actually people at Prada Marfa when I drove out there to capture it on film. I take different cameras out there each time and have images from 2008, 2010, and 2013. The first two times, there wasn’t another soul around for hours. This time, there were three different sets of travelers out to see the installation.

The Get Go Grocery

I love this grocery store. It’s perfectly curated with just what you need. I always get these delicious French crackers and spread Marfa Maid chevre on them. I can’t find either items at home, so it’s a treat I repeat each visit.

The Presidio County Courthouse is like a piece of candy. It reminds me of those fancy Easter eggs that were completely decorated inside and out. Late 70s/early 80s. Are those still made? Anyway, sometimes when I’m riding my bike around town, I feel like I’m inside one of those eggs as I pass the courthouse.

Presidio County Courthouse

photo by Carlos Jackson

May your journey be your muse,
Rachel