From Tigers To Tattoos: Gallup High School senior Rudy Lopez applies black paint to the mouth of the bengal tiger as he paints a mural onto the gymnasium wall Friday at Gallup High. Lopez says he is trying to learn to be a tattoo artist and plans to become an art teacher after graduating from high school. [Photo by Jeffery Jones/Independent]

MVP: Gallup Bengal boys basketball coach Ryan Cordova talks with Jon Marc Sowers Saturday night during the Gallup Invitational Tournament championship game. The Bengals beat the Cavemen to win the 63rd tournament and Sowers was voted All-Tournament MVP by participating coaches. See story/Sports Page 1 [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

Taking Flight: A mountain bluebird takes off from a patch of snow in the park behind the Larry B. Mitchell Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon. The mountain bluebird mainly lives in open spaces such as parks and fields and are known for their ability to hover especially when searching for food. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

The movie Guy: Red Rock 6 Projectionist Guy Nunley gets a film ready to thread into a projector on Saturday afternoon in Gallup. Red Rock 6 General Manager Yancey Cluff said that there was an 80 percent increase in ticket sales over the holiday season. This is a common occurrence for movie theaters across the country. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]