A late summer journey

When you can imagine a life for yourself and dream

of taking risks and floating skyward,

life can carry you.....far

and so it was that I found myself miles from home

in a little village in the Bavarian region of Germany,

a place that wrapped it's arms around me and said,

welcome.

My journey took place with artist Dori Stuffer,
an artist who's work I have long admired
 since first encountering her charming and luminous paintings
on her blog and website.

Upon arriving to the Forest of Bavaria, it is easy to see where 
the artist draws her inspiration.

Seeing these paintings before my eyes in her home was an 

incredible experience. I cannot describe for you the 

wonderful warm feelings that come from her work.

Deeply contemplative, always joyful,

The Art of  Dorothea Stuffer.

 (photo from Dorikult blog)

Life size sheet metal doe. (photo from dorikult blog)

Dori's shares with me her metalwork technique.

Our friend watches. 

 

This is Dori's dog Timmy.

Everyday we go to the farm where Dori keeps a small

flock of sheep, a red pony,

and chickens!

I visit the beautiful and humble St. Wolfgang Chapel.

Metalwork creations by Dori Stuffer

see more about pilgrimage markers here

 
Painting and words Ramona Felse

The chapel is the final destination on the route of the pilgrimage of St. Wolfgang.
A project undertaken that includes many hours of planning but when completed will last a lifetime.
Watch it unfold here.

Painted over a year ago and donated to the chapel, I see the painting 
hanging in the chapel behind candlelight 
and I write a few words in the guest book.

My visit ends much too soon and I am sad to leave,

for I have made many friends .

and many wonderful and  unforgettable memories.

with Hildegard at St. Wolfgang Chapel

holding pigeons with Dori and Xaver.

The Jim Show, A Tribute to Artist and Friend

It was with much gratitude that I was asked to be a part of a special

Art Exhibition honoring a local artist and 

friend who died last summer.

This weekend the home of artist Jim Julin who died suddenly last year
 after a short illness was filled to the brim with artists and their artwork
celebrating Jim's life as an artist, craftsmen and friend.

Jim Julin

                                     

I created the drawing and poem 'A Giant Fell Today' just a few days after Jim died last year as a way to express what I was feeling at the time. When I learned of the 'Jim Show' being put together in his memory this summer, I knew that this is what I was to contribute.


The pieces were placed in a shadow box and pinned
bulletin board style as a tribute to a man with a generous spirit.

                                                                                   artist Ramona Felse

Garment made from several pairs of Jim's jeans as a gift to his sister.

in the window a pine tree that Jim planted.

Several pieces of Jim's work were included.

 Every piece in the show was created with Jim's creative spirit in mind.

A gathering of friends,
and love,
and art.

July and spending time with "family"

The hot days of July are best spent near the water.

goose neck loosestrife

White geese run down the hill to the raspberries.

raspberries

Lovely June

In the grey summer garden I shall find you   

 With day-break and the morning hills behind you.   

There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings;   

And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings.   

Not from the past you'll come, but from that deep

Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep:   

And I shall know the sense of life re-born   

From dreams into the mystery of morn   

Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there   

Till that calm song is done, at last we'll share

The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are   

Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star.

Idyll- by Siegfried Sassoon

Wishing you all an abundance of sunshine, good health,

safe travels and long warm summer days.