APRIL'S FLOWERS

The glorys of April fill every sense! The feel of the wind in my hair thrills me, and I'm not even outside - I'm in the house on a windows open day! After the immediate barrenness of Winter, Spring seems like a Dream! Everything wild and cultivated takes on color, texture, sound , and smells - - truly more than the senses can contain! Anywhere you go in the mountains the new green color is heading up the slopes. Flowers of every sort call to the bees to begin the ancient honey making journey. Look carefully at these peach blooms and you will see the 5 pointed star around the center. This is where the precious nectar is gathered; as we too can gather our inner resources from the Divine within.

THE VERY EDGE OF WINTER

Up above freezing at night and with many singing birds we approached and passed the Spring Equinox. Every year I'm so glad I get to experience this again. It was a bitter cold winter and many of the mountain old-timers are saying, "it's the coldest one they can ever remember." All I know for sure is: Spring seems grander every day, in contrast to the rigors of winter. I walk around my yard to see familiar flowers and plants emerging; and a few newcomers here & there. Sometimes things appear dead, even for years, only to mysteriously start to grow. These are the things I often love the best. You see, our lives often do imitate nature....................

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Living the life of my dreams in the mountains is where my heart leads me. "It's a beauty of a day " and/or there is beauty in every day. Thanks to all the people, places and creations, all my relations, that bring me so much love and joy! "Follow" is a hand-colored silkscreen printed on commercially woven upholstery fabric. Price; $ 175. Others like this available at Morning Song in Brasstown, NC.
Lov & Peace EveryBody > Juli

THE WOODS

It's been said that "revelation is Encounter's purest form."
That's what I thought when I saw poison ivy vines draped with snow as they swirled up this tree. The same thing can be there for years.... so what does it take for us to gain a new viewpoint, to see that which we could not see before? If we pretend that snow represents purity, as in a clean slate, then it's presence on the landscape merely covers all items excepting the singular elements. The details of form and foliage, mental & visual clutter seamlessly blend into one crystalline state. When the world goes white this way, the One form- one Color is pure white, the color of light - which contains all colors. The paradox is: the One contains the All, just as the singular elements form the One.

THE PRESENT SNOW

The snow that came in the night a few days ago, lingered to float on the iceberg winds during the day. It almost looks like I am living in the middle of the beach, surrounded by so much whiteness. However, you know that it is cold when your boots start freezing to the doormat while you're still wearing them! Everything moves slower & seems to take longer in this kind of weather. You can definetly lose your Good Time over it - if you're not careful. So you have a mental choice to make: to focus on the places you can't go in the car (anywhere) & work that can't get done...OR have a Good Time in the beauty of the moment. My friend Marjorie says, "Well, I'v already spent this much money - so I might as well enjoy it."

If Mother Nature showed up as a larger presence in your life today I hope you'll let yourself go to enjoy the blessings brought your way and all the things you can still do. As for me, I won't be dashing through 8 inches of snow - I'll be plodding along "smiling from my head down to my feet!">

SEASON OF LIGHT

Hope the light of this season finds you merry in your heart & full of good tidings! We've been given the gift of cold & snow dust lately. The upper slopes in this valley are covered with ice and snow. Soon, on the Winter Equinox , the first rays of the returning light will pierce the darkness. Seeds sleeping in the soil will be preparing to awaken. The sun's power and radience will be evident upon the land.

As an artist, I believe it's my work to bring light to this world by letting the Spirit move and express through me. We can all bring light to this world by sharing our love via smiles, and kindness of words and acts.

Oranges are so full of sunshine & such a contrast to the cold light of Winter here in the mountains. This portrait is drawn on green satin with oil paintstiks, which was hand sewn onto commercially printed fabric. Couched thread applique decorates 2 sides. Framed in a wide gold frame under glass.

Available for $400.

Merry MERRY !

Peace and Love Everybody

> Jules

RUSSET GOLD

The other day I saw a flame touched mountain. It was a misty day when the sky veiled the land in shades of pale grey all the way through to dark blue greys. With fast moving clouds overhead the pale gold of the mountainsides could barely be seen through the veils of mist and cloud covered light. SUDDENLY, the clouds parted and the intense glowing light revealed a gold and red island of a mountain set in a bright green field within a whole sea of floating mists. The light was so strong and so pure in contrast to the rest of the land still in mist - it was like getting a glimpse of eternity for several long seconds before the wind shifted the whole array. And who can say it wasn't a glimpse of eternity when the light from above set those colors aflame???

The start of the Celtic New Year in ancient traditions signals the start of the dark days of Winter. Every day there is less daylight while the cold gathers forces on the land. Ice, snow and water alter the land and wash away the old and worn to make way for the new life to follow.

This year;s Fall Festival Banner celebrates Brasstown Creek, which runs through the heart of Brasstown. NC. Ageless and always changing , the creek brings life to the land and to many creatures in it's path. A line resist painting shows the high point of Fall with the sky reflected in smoothly flowing waters. Discharge dye, applique and hand stitched areas complete this years offering which could not have been done without the invaluable sewing assistance of Aunt Rhetta. 2 geese flying homeward symbolize the completion of the cycle and new beginnings ahead.