Category: North Carolina

A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier

9/30/2018

Debra Frasier as The Queen of Letters introduces me to the process for choosing my word of power.

A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier
By Annette Bartlett-Golden

Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to write and illustrate children's stories. So I was delighted to hear that the well-known children's book writer and illustrator, Deborah Frasier, was going to be a guest speaker at the 2018 Carolina Mountains Literary Festival in Burnsville, North Carolina. She is the author and illustrator of the beloved classic On the Day You Were Born, Miss Alaineus, A Fabulous Fair Alphabet, and Spike Ugliest Dog in the Universe, as well as many others.

Besides being a best-selling author, I soon realized that Debra Frasier is also an incredibly imaginative, creative, and generous person. In her presentation, Debra explained how she came to write and illustrate her first children's book after a very difficult pregnancy and the process she uses when developing a new book. Aware that there were many prospective authors and illustrators in the audience, she made a point of giving excellent practical advice on how to get started, which I especially appreciated. At the end of the presentation she gave away free copies of her book Miss Alaineus as a way of giving back to the town of Burnsville and those attending the literary festival.

Debra told us that she believes a big part of her work as an author is to bring fun reading related events to communities. In the afternoon, after the presentation, Debra setup her festive AmaZing Alphabetini tent on the Town Square. There, presiding in the role of The Queen of Letters, she explained the magic of the alphabet and helped individuals discover their Wise Word of power, a special word meant to empower the person throughout the coming months. While Debra's events are geared for children, adults are welcome, too, and many of us waited patiently in the rain for our turn. I was surprised and touched by how personal the experience was and the appropriateness of my word. It was a magical meeting!

This is the second year that I have attended the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival. A small town, mountain scenery, good friends, a free literary festival and a meeting with a truly amazing person, Debra Frasier, all made for a memorable, inspirational, and life changing weekend.

Two books written and illustrated by Debra Frasier.

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Pilot Mountain

3/22/2017

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@Annette Bartlett-Golden, Little Pinnacle Overlook and The Knob at Pilot Mountain. Oil on canvas, 9 by 12 inches. $180

Pilot Mountain
By Annette Bartlett-Golden

On a cool, cloudy day that felt nearly like spring, I arrived with a couple of my cousins at Pilot Mountain State Park for an afternoon hike. The stony, knob-shaped form of Pilot Mountain rises from surrounding forests to an elevation of 2, 241 feet (683 meters) above sea level. Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina about thirty minutes northwest of Winston-Salem, it is an iconic area landmark.

Looking out from the upper parking area, we could see the Yadkin Valley spread out below with the Yadkin River meandering through it and the billowing smoke of a distant fire. Park rangers down there were using controlled fire as part of forest maintenance, explained one of the rangers who had come up the mountain to observe the fire from above. With smoke wafting across the bottomlands and an overcast sky, the valley seemed shrouded in mystery.

Here I am with Marcela and Ana at the Little Pinnacle Overlook. Behind us is the Knob of Pilot Mountain.

We began our hike at the Little Pinnacle Overlook, where we could see more scenic vistas of the valley and an advantageous view of Pilot Mountain’s distinctive knob, called Big Pinnacle. As we stood at the overlook, we watched with surprise as some hikers brought their drone in for a landing. Then they kindly took our photo.

From there we set off over sandy paths and an abundance of rock stairs hugging stone cliffs of colorful quartzite. Along the paths and on the mountainsides grew rhododendrons, mountain laurel and pines. Hawks or ravens flew overhead and roosted in scrubby trees atop the cliffs. Passing below, we paused to watch students from nearby colleges climbing the rock faces.

Smoke in the Yadkin Valley (left) and a climber scaling Pilot Mountain's colorful rock face (right).

My cousins, Ana and Marcela, Ana’s mom, were great hiking companions. We took our time to enjoy and wonder at the natural beauty around us. Also, we took many photos. Sitting for a moment, ensconced among the stone, we picnicked, chatted and admired the views. Partway through our hike, we got confused about which trail to take but a rock climber and some other hikers set us straight and we returned to the parking lot unscathed and in good time.

For awhile, I had wanted to visit Pilot Mountain because, in addition to hiking, I wanted to make a series of paintings of this distinctive mountain. The colorful stone with its rugged appearance and the distant views gave me much interesting material for painting. Sometimes it takes a visit from family or friends to propel us to go out and see the interesting places around us!

For more information about Pilot Mountain State Park visit:http://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park.

@Annette Bartlett-Golden, Cliffs at Pilot Mountain. Oil on canvas, 9 by 12 inches. $180

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A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier

A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier
By Annette Bartlett-Golden

Pilot Mountain

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A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier

A Magical Meeting with Debra FrasierBy Annette Bartlett-Golden

Pilot Mountain

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A Magical Meeting with Debra Frasier
By Annette Bartlett-Golden