The most dreaded phase of this whole Very Large Triptych project involved zero skill or creativity. It required planning, patience, hefting and heaving. That dreaded phase? Swapping my living room with my studio. Why bother? I needed to be able to step away from the...
musings from the studio and beyond ~
dawn chandler’s reflections on art and life. . . .
new mexico landscape paintings
the very large triptych, part 5
I need to go! I apologized to my hosts. The sky is going to be incredible — I HAVE to photograph it! That was Sunday, July 2nd, and I couldn't believe I was bowing out early from a fun party filled with old friends I'd not seen in a long time. But the sky was calling!...
the very large triptych, part 4
I was worried about clouds: I needed clouds to pull off the Very Large Triptych. But clouds were no guarantee. Just the year before, the only clouds over New Mexico from April to June were smoke clouds. And the year before that, our traditional summer rains never...
the very large triptych, part 3
On April first 2023 I began my immersion into the panoramic landscape. RAS would be back in Santa Fe later in the month, when we'd sign an agreement for the very large triptych commission. Although they graciously invited me to go out to their place whenever I wanted,...
the very large triptych, part 2
On March 1st, 2023 our schedules finally aligned so that we could all meet in person at RAS’ Las Campanas home. From the moment I met them, RAS' enthusiasm and appreciation for my art and me made me feel like a rock star. After chatting for a bit and admiring their...
the very large triptych, part 1
This week I bade farewell to three close companions — three roommates. We've been living in close quarters since last summer. My roommates have been exciting company but they have also taken up a great deal of space mentally and physically. Indeed, they forced me to...
the BOOM! and enchantments of boring painting
I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of boring and being bored. One definition of boring I came across described it as "the state of feeling weary because one is unoccupied." [OED] That kind of weariness is something I've rarely experienced in my adulthood....
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...
baldy mountain ~ high country snow ~ new painting & print
I interrupt the steady stream of weekend crane painting posts to share the gift of snow — High Country Snow. High Country Snow ~ by Dawn Chandler ~ limited edition prints (as well as the painting) now available. I don't know the exact calendar, but it seems...
let it be ~ sunrise east of the ranch
Sunrise Sunday morning, September 16 found me sitting in my car staring eastward from a shelf of land where the New Mexico mountains meet the eastern plains. I'd come up here to paint. I was feeling lackadaisical. Too, I was hoping for the arrival of my friend who had...