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MICHAEL MCCABE Obituary
FEBRUARY 8, 1961 - APRIL 3, 2023
Santa Fe - Michael Duane McCabe, 62, of Santa Fe, passed away on April 3, 2023.
Michael was born on February 8, 1961 to Helen Natonabah Mc- Cabe and Peter McCabe in Fort Defiance, Arizona. He was born into the Táchii'nii clan (Red Running into the Water People Clan) and born for Hashk'?? Hadzohi (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-Aline Clan). He spent his childhood in Las Vegas, NV relocating with family to Santa Fe in 1973 after the passing of his father.
There Michael attended the now defunct Santa Fe Mid-High and later graduated from the Alternative High School where he studied theatre, astrology, and dance, and went on to study at the Institute of American Indian Arts, building his great love of printmaking and painting. He received his Associate's degree in 1984 in Two-Dimensional Design and in 1985 specialized in printmaking, ceramics and creative writing.
In 1985, after completing college, Michael went on to study Poetics and Spiritual Practices at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO through the One World Poetry Conference studying with Gregory Corso, Diane Di Prima, and Allen Ginsberg.
In 1987, Michael traveled extensively through Southern France and Italy building upon his appreciation of the great masters and returned to the states deeply influenced by this travel.
After years of building his printmaking expertise, Michael went on to teach at many institutions including Santa Fe Community College, his alma mater IAIA, College of Santa Fe, the California Correctional Center in Susanville, California, Spotted Dog Press, and many private studios throughout the United States.
In 1996, Michael began working at HandGraphics where he built an extremely vibrant community amongst other printmakers and also taught workshops.
For the last twenty years, Michael, a master printmaker, ran and operated Fourth Dimension Studios in Santa Fe with David Cost. Michael worked alongside many renowned artists. His work has been featured in many print publications both locally and internationally.
Michael is predeceased by his father Peter McCabe, his maternal grandparents Leonard Natonabah and Nellie Natonabah, his paternal grandparents Jack and Tolly McCabe, aunt Dorothy Saucedo, and uncles Paul and Robert Natonabah. He is survived by his mother Helen Mc- Cabe, his sisters Bertina McCabe and Carrie McCabe, his brother Gary McCabe, his nephew Denton McCabe, niece Grace Rosario Perkins, and a great network of friends, collaborators, students and chosen family.
A celebration of life will occur later this spring. The family will announce via a GoFundMe page set up to benefit Michael and his family. It can be found at gofundme.com/michael-mccabe
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MICHAEL MCCABE
Barry Baltzley
September 3, 2025
He liked to hear me call him Mikey. I'll always treasure the memories of dining out with him in local eateries here in Santa Fé, talking about his train trips to California and his large circle of dear friends and his art.
Gebhart Rosemarie
March 31, 2025
Michael was my mentor. I miss his guidance and humanity. Rosemarie Gebhart
Mary Levins
November 4, 2023
Many years ago (late 80's?), I saw an art exhibit in Santa Fe which included some of Michael's monotype prints. I was very taken with them, contacted him and went to see more of his work. I purchased a couple of prints which he mailed to me in California. Such a soft-spoken and talented young man, I have thought of him every time I look at the prints. They have moved with me to three different homes here in Northern California and my enjoyment and appreciation of them has only increased over the years.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Lorrie Colestock
April 28, 2023
Years ago Michael introduced me, years ago to the world of printmaking. He was so knowledgeable, innovative, and had such great enthusiasm for the medium and all its possibilities.
He was also a great teacher, a great friend, and a wonderful source of information that he freely shared. He will be greatly missed.
Arlene Sweeney
April 12, 2023
My condolences to the McCabe family. I knew Michael when younger. Really nice guy. Bettina my prayers are with you and your family. RIP Michael.
Linda Taylor
April 9, 2023
Michael was brave, kind, generous, humble, brilliant and so very talented. His passing has left a huge hole in my heart
Linda Taylor
Gebhart Rosemarie
April 9, 2023
My mentor and friend. Who´s life impacted mine with kindness and original printmaking skills. I will miss him.
Rosemarie Gebhart
Darren v gray
April 9, 2023
Michael, your spirit is alive in all of us who knew you well.
You belonged to an elite group of artist who practiced the age old premise of innovation. Your artistic knowledge always enhanced my time printing w you in the studio.
I will miss that a great deal and treasure all the times I spent making ART with you. I´m glad I spent time with you only weeks before.
I took a long hiatus from printing and I was ready to come back and we made plans. I don´t know where to go? I relied on you and I´m gonna miss that so much.
You are made new again, and your spirit is consciousness now ever evolving quickly reaching new heights.
In our native way, there are no goodbyes until we have to say goodbye.
Creator bless you forever.
-darren
STEPHEN Fox
April 8, 2023
Indeed what akind and gentle fine artist he was!! My condolences to his family!
Donna
April 7, 2023
I went to school with Michael and i remember that he was a gentle quiet soul. My silver bracelet broke and he asked if he could fix it for me, which i thought was very kind. He fixed it better than it was and added a turquoise stone on top of it. I still have it to this day, he did such an awesome job. I always thought about him every time i put it on and wondered what he was up too. I'm sad to hear of his passing. Prayers to the Family.
Wendy Ponca
April 7, 2023
My friend from IAIA in the 1980´s and beyond. Your memory and your art are eternal. God bless you and your family.
Virginia Furmanski
April 6, 2023
Michael was a kind and a wonderful printmaker. It has been my joy to know him and to learn from him. He was a wonderful friend and a talented teacher. The world is a lesser place without Michael in it to spread his spirit among us all.
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