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musings from the studio and beyond ~

dawn chandler’s reflections on art and life. . . .

dawn chandler

eagle nest gold

It's become a cherished late August ritual for me: Driving the Enchanted Circle through Northern New Mexico.I started the tradition two years ago…. it was the last drive my sweet pup and I did together before she died.As a tribute to her I made the journey again last...

history and mystery in the new mexico landscape

My friend was incredulous. You’ve never been to La Cieneguilla? No, I replied. I’d never even heard of it. I can’t believe you’ve never been there! Two months later I had a similar exchange with another friend.You’ve never been to La Cieneguilla?! Oh my God, DAWN! I...

a benediction

nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished ~ Lao Tzu ~ I’d been feeling nervous about an upcoming backpacking trip. Though overall I’m in good shape (thank you Peloton), I hadn’t put in a whole lot of high-altitude hiking miles this season. My “hiking legs”...

I don’t know what to say about the fires…

but what any sentient person might say: The fires are horrifying. A consuming history- and life-erasing hurricane inferno of destruction and heartbreak. When I look at the map the fires are almost too big to grasp: The big fire — Hermits Peak — started in early spring...

tiny little pieces

To view this post with its intended layout flow, view it on the website via your browser. What amuses me about my little travel art kit quandary mentioned previously is that it was nearly identical to the quandary that kept me awake for nights on end a year ago....

have art, will travel

Wrapped in a wool blanket, I take a sip of warming tea. I look out the window and take a deep, satisfied breath as I study a tangle of black branches etched against a frosty golden sky. The falling snow is so fine I can barely make out the individual flakes sifting...

how to teach your passion?

What are you passionate about? How would you teach your passion? How would you share it with others? Light a spark in someone else, so that they might get a glimmer of excitement about it? This is exactly the challenge that came my way a year ago, and changed...