musings from the studio and beyond ~
dawn chandler’s reflections on art and life. . . .
04.08.2013 ~ trail notes: morning in the sandias
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| quick watercolor sketch of the albuquerque sandias, here the view from supper rock lookout, looking south, near copper — 5″x7″ by dawn chandler — copyright dawn chandler 2013 |
Took the pup into the Sandia foothills early this morning for a hike, and on the spur of a moment decided to toss my tiny little watercolor set into my pack.
Okay, so maybe it’s not my best watercolor sketch ever, but considering I had an impatient 60lb pup tugging the leash, a slippery rock upon which to set my palette, and less than ideal paint colors, I say “not bad.”
And then when a flock of birds suddenly rose up in front of us out of no where like a fluttering of spirits, and that 60lbs of warm black love finally just gave in and snuggled up next to me, and the golden light contrasting against the purple-blue shadows of sunrise on the mountains and that feeling of not only being on top of but of owning and being owned by this great big beautiful world, I say again to myself, “not bad.”
Indeed. This may become habit–forming.
04.06.2013 ~ farmers are cool
I love doing business with farmers! Just received the final payment from my favorite organic farm — Hobbs Family Farm — for the painting I did of their autumn fields up in Avondale, Colorado. I was perplexed when I opened my mailbox to find an envelope a bit bigger than usual. What could it be? Some beautiful packages of Farm Direct Organic Seed, that’s what! My mouth is already watering and nostrils flaring as I imagine by garden bursting with Organic Genovese Basil, Organic Sunmaster Cilantro, Organic Strawberry Blonde Calendula Flowers and Organic Peacevine Cherry Tomatoes.
Thanks Hobbs Family Farm! Thanks for being compassionate stewards of the land, a patron of the arts and good friends!
04.04.2013 ~ moment of pause ~ the baldy mountain project
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| baldy from wilson mesa – moment of pause — by dawn chandler — oil on panel —12″x24″ — copyright dawn chandler 2013 |
The third painting in my “Baldy Mountain Project” and the third view of Baldy from Wilson Mesa — this time based on a photo by Wally Berg (Thanks, Wally!).
This one feels more subtle than the first two. Less dramatic in color and shapes and brushstroke.
Quieter.
Contemplative.
Rather than urging you to climb that distant peak, here I feel invited to pause by the water and stay awhile.
Sit down…
Stretch your legs...
Lean back against your pack…
Breathe ….deeply..
Snooze… or pull out a book….
and maybe that book is what I’m reading now: Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac in which he muses:
I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?
03.28.2013 ~ baldy mountain from wilson mesa ~ sense of rain coming
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| baldy mountain from wilson mesa ~ the sense of rain coming — by dawn chandler — oil on panel — 12″x24″ — copyright dawn chandler 2013 |
The second of my Baldy from Wilson Mesa views — this one based on a photo by Doug Latimer (thank you, Doug!). I love the chunky impasto paint of the water (put in with a palette knife.) I can just feel the wind starting to pick up as the clouds move in and darken that ridge to the right. The water’s starting the lap at the shore as it shifts from blue to grey-white.
“Rain’s comin’, better get a move-on.”
03.21.2013 ~ the baldy mountain project
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| baldy from wilson mesa ~ brilliant day (philmont) ~ by dawn chandler ~ oil on panel ~ 12″x24″ ~ copyright by dawn chandler |
At last!
Spring is here and I am ready to bloom!
I’ve been inactive with art updates these past couple months and I apologize for that. But if I haven’t been traveling — admiring the red rock buttes of Sedona, researching the galleries of Scottsdale or backpacking in the Gila Wilderness — I’ve been hibernating in my studio, cranking out work!
WHOOP-YEAH!
I’m excited! not only for Spring but to keep on keeping on with the energy that’s emanating from my studio.
Seems like lately there’s been a perfect confluence of needs : ideas : resources : inspiration stirring up my muse. Among them:
— My brother and sister-in-law have commissioned me to do a large painting for the mantel of their cabin/mountain house.
My bros’ request? The view of Baldy Mountain from Wilson Mesa — a revered scene/spot to many who have hiked the North Country of Philmont.
— Following his request several other people inquired about that same scene!
— The Philmont Museum has invited me to take part in a special year-long exhibition, “Gift of Inspiration” highlighting former Philmont staff who have gone on to pursue art-related occupations.
Hot-DANG!
I’d like to do a special painting for it — something beyond “just another pretty picture.’
— I’ve poetry on my mind.
And words.
Been writing poetry, even.
And reading it.
A lot.
— ‘Been immersing myself in the writings of key “Nature writers” — Thoreau, Leopold, Dillard, Abby, Muir, etc.
Revisiting some, experiencing others for the first time. Inspired through and through
— Digging through a keepsake box of my Philmont days, I found my dog-eared copy of the 1985 “Warm Stars on a Cold Night: A Collection of Wilderness Quotations” from my Rangering and “Wilderness Pledge” days.
— Been getting deeper into the mountains….
Okay, so some of these require more explanation.
Stick with me and I’ll get to them in future posts.
For now, my “Baldy Mountain Project” commences!
To start things off, here’s the first of six (so far) “traditional” landscape paintings of the view of Baldy Mountain from the top of Wilson Mesa.
Be prepared for some “non-traditional” works ’round the corner…!