COLORS OF THE MOUNTAINS

Rains have visited us frequently this summer, leaving refreshment and mist. On these days, the distinctions between where land ends and the sky begins is blurred. Creative enterprises always have the element of choas involved. It is necessary for the formation or reformation of a new kind of order to happen. Choas brings uncertainty, and only then can a new arrangement find itself. True form is revealed as the mists lift to show what was there the whole time. "Bird Flies" is a color chart from the latest "Kitchen Table Magic , Vol. 2. This latest fabric design book by artist Juli Sibley is a small compendium of Line Media and Line Resist techniques. Available in CD format.

I hope you let change and uncertainty reveal to you the true form or your soul life and heart's dreams. Peace and Love>> Juli

THE FASCINATION

Spring continues to make no excuses for how she appears.  Sheathed in glory in the golden sunbeams, or draggled in mud after one of our many mountain rains.  With every phase there continues  to be more gifts arriving daily.
  The magic came alive with music.  By the bird we are called to sing - along  our song & by the creeks, rivers and streams we joyfully babble in the flow over obstacles.  Flowers fade and begin to spin themselves into fruit. Wind carries butterflys and the newest fledglings into flight.  Millions of just created seeds breath legend into life.  
  The drawing"Valley Floor" is from my book, "All That Matters", 2011.  Available at Morning Song Gallery in Brasstown, NC.  
May your heart receive the gifts of JOY spring offers you.

SPRING SALLIES

This year spring sallied forth like a lady late for the dance! Hurriedly donning her new attire of yellow greens, oranges and pinks. she was showing up and showing out with unmistakable radiance! There was no doubt her intention was to dazzle!
First on the valley floors and then rapidly climbing the slopes she touched the mountains with new color. By now the mountaintops, in all but the very highest ranges wear it well. Dogwoods and flame azaleas are blooming in great might. Inspired by this I laugh with the wind, turn cartwheels and dance with dandelions! The pleasure of new life does not diminish our history for those who have passed and their knowledge and gifts still held in the world. Life continuously invites us to be a part of its ebb and flow. In this cycle of awakening and new growth, may you find your inner strength renewed for the creation of your truest, heartfelt life.

Watercolor illustration, Mountain Lake" Prints are available at Morning Song Gallery in Brasstown. NC. $ 140, framed.

AS EARTH AWAKES

Winter slumber begins ending as the earth's plant bodies move upward towards the light. Birdie begins singing the new nest building song. Everywhere the flowers rejoice in the soft winds. Ice melts and the streams start singing with the birds! Your Homecoming is being welcomed by Nature, with the gifts she brings of heart and soul. Draw near to the fire on clear, cool starlight nights and rest now ~ for the awakening will be here soon- in full color!

"BlueJay" watercolor, plaques or prints from $5 - $25. Available at Morning Song Gallery, Brasstown, NC. 828 -837-0564

LOOKING TO THE EAST

Vibrant sunrises cast a glow on the cold lands. Cold brings out new colors as the frost changes the essence of plant life. "Red Sunset" is a painting on fabric created with multiple layers of transparent washes. It is from my text "Kitchen Table Magic - Vol. 1., Dying, Painting and Overdying." Available for now in places where I teach.

November brought the mists back when the rains came. Patches of sunlight on the mountainsides revealed soft greys mixed with pale burnished golds - the color of a mountain lynx, if you have ever been fortunate enough to see such a beautiful and elusive creature. It is written the Divine Sparks are hidden everywhere.....

and perhaps the first place to look is your own inner resources and hidden glades.

A COLORFUL TRADITION

Part of this year's offering from
the abundant garden is the sunflower.
Beauty in color & with a head full
of seeds for birds and men. Bees
love this flower which loves the sun.
The sunflower has been part of the
gardens at the Folk School for
a time so long as to be always included-
like greens and red, ripe tomatoes.
The quilting, piecing and sewing for
this year's festival banner was done by
my friend, Nancy Hinds of Louisana.
Featuring a center panel batik with
hand stamping along the pieced borders. See this in the community room also known as the dance hall,
at the Folk School.
May your Fall season be golden with the sights of traditonal colors and the joy of abundant harvests from both earth based and psychic gardens.

KITCHEN TABLE MAGIC

Summer of Dreams, Summer of great bounty! Gardens in mountain country this season have been lush with cukes, tomatoes, new squash & even russion kale. A garden turns into a jungle of all stages of ripening and that's the bounty side of the story. In the midst of being lost in time there is plenty for drifting, dreaming and enjoying being in the wind. Ski season has long been open on Lake Chatuge and is now winding down. The water has been so still at times in the late afternoons that you can fly through the clouds with a dazzling rainbow spray!
My first textile design book called, Kitchen Table Magic - Vol. 1
is now available. It a guide to earth friendly Painting, Dying and Overdying Techniques on fabric. It's on a CD in 5 chapters with hyper-links, includes 34 images and full instructions in a total of 57 pages. So far, sold in places where I teach. The full set will include 4 Volumes to cover all the various line, printing and stamping processes for image and pattern. The fabric here is a double overdye with salt. One of the fabric techniques explained to give you the magic to explore your own creative ideas!
Summer is a great time to be lazy sometimes - just have fun with it - and that too is part of the creative process ...............
Peace and Lov everybody!!