I've had some questions about my raven and the meaning. There's a lot tucked into this one. The messy tail feathers are very much on purpose.

In my raven, there's an Art Nouveau feel of course, so there are some curves thrown in, but most importantly, this raven is a truth seeker. Especially when it's hard and can be unbelievably brave to tell the truth. This raven and the motto were inspired initially by the "silence breakers" of 2017 and beyond. It's quite literally meant to ruffle tail feathers. The truth isn't always easy, and it's not always attainable for many.
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Odin (from Norse Mythology) had two truth-seeking ravens fly the world and report back to him. They were named Thought (Huginn) and Memory (Muninn.)

In each voyage for every individual, I believe that if we strive to speak truth, happiness is close at hand. Speak truth not only in the present to those around us but, even more importantly, to ourselves. The narrative we end up believing about our inner self through our thoughts and our memories needs to be checked or even reevaluated from time to time. Are we holding up truth even then? Are we honoring our truth by not tearing ourselves down with our inner monologue? Are we glossing over something we really should feel remorse for and make it right? Are we being fair, loving, and truthful to the one inside? Be honest... The voyage of self discovery is the longest journey we'll encounter in our lifetime.

Please join The Colorado Arts and Crafts Society on Saturday, January 20, 2018 for our annual Winter Symposium at the Boettcher Mansion. We are delighted to bring CJ Hurley Century Arts to Colorado as our featured speakers this year. Roycroft Master Artisan CJ Hurley and Barbara Pierce are a dynamic design team from Oil City, PA (formerly from Portland, OR) specializing in historic homes. This is a special year where, in addition to our CACS Symposium, we also have CJ & Barbara for an extended stay (with more activities happening on Sunday, Jan. 21st at Modern Bungalow in Denver, and Monday, Jan. 22nd potentially happening in your very own home). Keep reading this issue of The Arts & Crafts Messenger to see the full line-up of events. (See attached 2017_Dec.pdf file below.)

We’ll begin the Symposium from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a professional color workshop by Barbara Pierce. The evening program will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour where beer, wine and light appetizers will be served. Our annual business meeting, catered buffet, and presentation will be underway shortly thereafter. CJ Hurley will be our keynote speaker and his presentation entitled Artistic Couples of the Arts & Crafts Movement: Frances MacDonald & Herbert McNair and Carl & Karin Larsson will begin around 6:30 p.m. in the Mansion’s Fireside Room.

Admission is $40 for members ($50 for guests) and will include a catered dinner brought to us by The Pines at Genesee. RSVP to Cynthia Shaw at 720-497-7632 by January 16th. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring friends or family to learn more about the Arts & Crafts Movement, and sign up for a color consultation for their bungalow or historic home. 

There's a lone tree atop a hill filling tens of thousands of people with inspiration, a sense of stability, connection to nature, and peace. This tree isn't deep in the Rocky Mountains, or on a hilltop somewhere in a remote part of Tibet. Nope, it's in an environment that you may least suspect from the description you just read. It's in the heart of Los Angeles, California. 

This aging gnarled pine is a respite from the hustle and bustle below. People from all over the world hike to this singular tree in hopes of changing their perspective. Not just by the view, but by the words, images, song lyrics, and letters of inspiration that people leave in a box beneath the tree for all to read. It's a place to reconnect with Mother Earth, amid a sea of busy. It's a place to rest and breathe, and stretch, and write. Wisdom Tree represents a vein of hope for the natural world and a reminder to lift your head up and seek stillness if even for a short moment each day.

Original gouache painting 16" x 20" Framed in quartersawn oak - $2600.00. Prints available.

Modern Bungalow has chosen me to be their featured artist for October and November. Thank you Modern Bungalow!
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If you live in the Denver area and like my artwork, chances are really good you'll LOVE this amazing Arts & Crafts home furnishing store. Ed and Kate Sultan have recently sold their business to two dear friends of mine, Matt Hubbard & Danielle Sandusky. It's been an amazing journey to see these four lovely people share in a love for the Arts & Crafts Movement and it's revival. Through this process, they've also grown to be life-long friends. Stop in Modern Bungalow this month to say farewell and hello to these amazing individuals, and to see 7 of my original paintings and art prints for sale.
https://modernbungalow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ModernBungalow/

I'm so honored to be one of the ten chosen artists for the Painted Violin Project for Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO.) The event is November 12th, and you can learn more about my violin at http://www.paintedviolin.com/meet-the-artists/julie-leidel/
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To purchase YAO concert tickets and come to the Painted Violin Opening Reception, please visithttps://lakewood.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=251

You and your friends are invited to tour Julie Leidel's Evergreen art studio Sept. 16-17, 10:00 - 5:00pm

The Bungalow Craft will open it's doors to the public! Come visit Julie Leidel and see her home and art studio, current artwork in progress, and experience her inspiration in the Arts & Crafts Movement (1880-1920) and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Walk our mountain foot trail, and enjoy the neighboring elk and deer.

Julie will also have LOADS of artwork for sale: Original paintings, art canvas prints, matted prints, magents, and notecards. There will even be an overstock and bargan bin with some great end-of-season deals. Commission work is also available.

Wine and appitizers will be served while you experience what The Bungalow Craft is all about this Fall. www.thebungalowcraft.com | www.EvergreenOpenDoorStudios.com

​I've been chosen as the featured artist for this year's 5th annual Cheesman Park Arts Festival - July 29 & 30th. There are 18 billboards up around Denver that have my artwork featured on them for the show.
 
To celebrate, I’m holding a PHOTO CONTEST! Post a picture of one of my billboards on your Instagram or Facebook timeline by Friday, July 28th, mention Julie Leidel and add a link to my website www.thebungalowcraft.com. Stop by my booth (E6 & E7) July 29 or 30th at the Cheesman Park art show and show me your post, and I'll give you one 8x10 print for $55 (Retails for $75.)
 
THERE WILL BE ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER FOR BEST PHOTO! By the end of the show, I'll have picked a winner from the photos that are brought to me in person. The most creative photographer will win a FREE 20x24 Art Canvas Print of my artwork - you pick your favorite painting! (Retails for $350)
 
BILLBOARD LOCATIONS AROUND DENVER:
E. Colfax & Park Ave West, 4221 Steele, 5225 Leetsdale, 2063 Larimer, 3550 Brighton, 4635 E. Colfax, 2223 E. Colfax, 2401 W. Evans, 3800 Kalamath, 3636 Brighton, 3620 Downing, 3659 Marion, 2261 California, 50 W. 12th, 2050 W. 2nd, 3654 E. 50th
1180 W. Custer, and 290 Federal.

I just walked down to the mailbox to find my favorite letter of the year waiting for me. I've been accepted as a Roycroft Renaissance Artisan for a second year!  This warms my heart, and gives me a real sense of belonging within the Roycrofters-At-Large Association. I'll be heading out to New York this June for Summerfest, and I'm over-the-moon excited to spend some quality time on campus in the days before the show.