Stunning sunset.

Painted skies.

As all know, the West is the land of the setting sun, which carries meaning in literature & myth. Just as Japan in the far East carries the moniker, “Land of the Rising Sun,” east & west tend to symbolize birth & death, respectively, in the human collective imagination. Having spent most of my life in New England, I’m finding my horizon broadened by this move to Utah. It’s as if I’ve traveled to an exotic land, even within the United States.

Mountain views appear in every direction during the day, followed by sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley twinkling at night. Dazzling sparks of human life punctuating the landscape.

Dreamy lights.

Sunset over Hansen at WGU.

Strange connections appear in life’s details when my intuition leads me in a new direction, such as it has with this move. My little’s name can be shortened to “DH Lawrence” Califano, after one of my favorite modernist authors. DH Lawrence left Britain, spending his later years in New Mexico, where he wrote incredible poetry. He wrote about mining communities in Britain, and Sons & Lovers moved me profoundly in undergrad. It’s as if the rugged West of the American landscape twinned the ruggedness of those northern English mining towns, with firece pioneer spirit.

So the lure of the West remains multifold for me. I didn’t anticipate actually living here, but now that I am I feel grateful to broaden my horizon.

Spectacular shows of light.

Magical mountain outlines.

And so, I continue to observe & absorb. I may even start drawing & painting again, as I love watercolors. The beauty is just too rich to not capture in some visual form. I can see why ceramics here find themselves in fiery shades or in deep purple hues.

No words can capture these views. Even photos can’t fully render the color. These technicolor horizons make me feel so awed, so humble, like who am I to deserve these royal displays?

Sweeping lines.

Those colors.