Touched By The Artist James Hubbell

A thing of beauty is a joy forever at The Ranch, especially when created by one of our favorite artists

Of the hundreds of artists featured in the Rancho La Puerta collection, one stands out for his contribution to our built environment: James Hubbell of Santa Ysabel, California.

From the moment you enter the front doors of The Ranch’s administration and front desk building, you touch and see Jim’s stained-glass work via a pair of “firebird” wings that share the magical dichotomy of all stained glass: beautifully worked but almost colorless on one side, and ablaze on the other. Jim was once commissioned to do a series of palace doors in Abu Dhabi—the project is considered a masterpiece of glass art—and The Ranch doors share this unbridled love of color and transformative light.

Jim’s architectural design work, drawing, painting, ironwork, and sculpture will also transport you.

Now in his eighties and still a prolific studio artist and builder, you can learn more about Jim and his work via several websites, including that of his non-profit foundation, Ilan-Lael.

His home and studios in the San Diego-region’s mountains north of Tecate have been toured by many thousands of visitors at his annual open houses, his work featured in numerous one-man shows in museums in galleries, and his efforts to inspire understanding among Pacific Rim nations have earned international acclaim (see pacificrimparks.com).

For your own mini-tour of the Ranch’s Hubbell collection and connection, here’s a list of his creations on our property, and nearby:

1. Stained glass front doors to Administration building

2. Stained glass window behind Administration front desk

3. Door to Kuchumaa Gym (gym near north end of running track) with inset river rocks.

4. Fireplace in Kuchumaa Gym

5. Fireplace in Oaktree Pavilion

6. Centerpiece sculpture in Dining Room’s buffet-service area

7. Kuchumaa Passage (a collaborative building and design experience)

8. Small bronze sculpture of Deborah’s “Miracle Oak” near laundry room/craft studio.

9. Stained glass in the windows and door at Las Piedras Nature Center.

10. Railings in Oak Tree Pavilion

11. Signage at Professor’s Park

12. Kumeyaay Cultural Center in Tecate