Spud Rollheiser

Born and raised in Chicago, Spud (Michael) Rollheiser was all things Chicago from the Cubs to the famous pizza, from Lake Michigan to The Art Institute of Chicago. For over 40 years, he took advantage of all the highlights Chicago had to offer and thought he would be a Chicagoan forever -- until he experienced, Taos, New Mexico.

Shortly after retiring from a career in Internet technology, Spud came to Taos to visit a friend, enjoy a holiday excursion and take in northern New Mexico. He did not come looking to make a move, but like so many wanderers, he knew he was meant to be here, to experience this new mind-changing atmosphere. It has now been over five years and he is still pinching himself to believe he can live amongst such beauty and diversity and splendor, to wake up to the scenic glory and all to the small-town living, the charm of local villages. At last he can indulge in his passion for photography.

His interest in photography started while serving in the U.S. Army, during which he bought his first camera and began shooting his travels, his new experiences. Always a natural techie, the nuts and bolts of photography came easily to him. In fact, while completing his degree at the University of Illinois, he taught black and white photography and darkroom courses to junior high and adult education students.

He completed his degree in computer technology and enjoyed a successful 35 year career, traveling around the world designing and selling advanced computer networks for major companies. Nonetheless, he always kept a place in his heart for photography and, even though he could not carve out enough time between career and family, he was ever composing shots in his mind, planning for that time when he could make photography a focus in his life.

Amore Gallery, Taos New Mexico, June 2016 - June 2018