The Little Stone House In Summer ... a new version of an old favorite. Digitally hand painted (Not Ai) in #CorelPainter using my own photo as a starting point, it's one of the properties on the #Beallair estate in the panhandle of West Virginia. Click the link to read a little bit about the history!

At my website: https://lois-bryan.pixels.com/featured/the-little-stone-house-in-summer-lois-bryan.html

And at #FineArtAmerica: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-little-stone-house-in-summer-lois-bryan.html

#art #giftideas #civilwar #HarpersFerry #ShenandoahValley #NotAi #LoisBryan

Fairies of Northern Appalachia: Cover reveal!

I’m so excited to reveal the cover for my next book, Fairies of Northern Appalachia: A History of the Little People of the Mountains, which covers fairy stories and beliefs from Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky.

I thought John Anster Fitzgerald’s painting “The Fairies’ Favourite” was the perfect cover for this book, because it captures something of the diversity and strangeness of the fairies that occupy Appalachian stories. I also like the fact that the cover seems to depict a fairy queen wearing a crown (can you find her?) because my book contains a couple of stories about “fairy queens”—from both eastern Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Here is the cover and back cover in full:

Book overview

Join Andrew Warburton, author of New York Fairies and New England Fairies, as he explores the deep, but often overlooked, roots of fairy lore in the mist-shrouded mountains of Northern Appalachia.

The magic of Old World folklore lingers in Northern Appalachia’s hills and hollers. From banshees to tommyknockers to mischievous elves, myriad fairy spirits populate the stories of the region’s mountain folk. The Little Hunchbacked Man who dwelled in corners of Pennsylvania Dutch homes. Pixies whose knocking warned of explosions in West Virginia’s mines. A red-haired fairy whose magical arrows tormented the Scots Irish of Kentucky’s Cumberland Mountains.
 
In this vivid and well-researched history, Andrew Warburton gathers the region’s forgotten fairy stories―from tales about “ancient pygmies” in Ohio to a psychiatrist’s account of photographing fairies in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

The contents are as follows:

• Introduction
• 1. German Fairies: Influence of Pennsylvania Dutch folklore.
• 2. Irish Fairies: Influence of Scots-Irish settlers.
• 3. Underground Fairies: Tales of “tommyknockers” and mining spirits.
• 4. Virginia’s Fairy Stone Park: Legends behind the famous staurolite stones.
• 5. Fairies by Other Names: Regional variations of little people.
• 6. Appalachian Pygmies: Legends of ancient, small inhabitants in Ohio and throughout Appalachia.
• 7. Modern Fairy Stories: Accounts and sightings in the modern era.
• A Glossary of Northern Appalachian Fairies
• Bibliography

I am so grateful to everyone who voted for my image "Back Where I Belong" in the "Remember Me" contest held by the Masterpieces Group. Many thanks also, to contest administrator, Debora Bender Lewis. Sincere congratulations to the other winners ... and to all who entered this contest. Nothing but truly beautiful works of art on display!!

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/back-where-i-belong-lois-bryan.html

#art #giftideas #WestVirginia #ShenandoahValley #digitallyhandpainted #NotAi #LoisBryan #CorelPainter

Virginia’s Best Blue Ridge Beauty, Adventure, And Wine Is On Full Display In This Lovely County

Just 1.5 hours from Washington, DC is one of Virgi…
#wine #Wine #BlueRidgeMountains #FortValley #FortValleyVirginia #GeorgeWashington #MassanuttenMountains #ShenandoahCaverns #ShenandoahCounty #ShenandoahRiver #ShenandoahValley #ThomasJefferson #virginia #WestVirginia
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2441658/virginias-best-blue-ridge-beauty-adventure-and-wine-is-on-full-display-in-this-lovely-county/

Virginia’s Best Blue Ridge Beauty, Adventure, And Wine Is On Full Display In This Lovely County

Just 1.5 hours from Washing…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Wine #BlueRidgeMountains #FortValley #FortValleyVirginia #GeorgeWashington #MassanuttenMountains #ShenandoahCaverns #ShenandoahCounty #ShenandoahRiver #ShenandoahValley #ThomasJefferson #virginia #WestVirginia
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2441658/virginias-best-blue-ridge-beauty-adventure-and-wine-is-on-full-display-in-this-lovely-county/

Let’s be real, the gaming scene in the #ShenandoahValley has always been a little scattered. You’ve got #PUBG squads in #Harrisonburg, D&D groups in #Staunton, and everyone else just kind of grinding alone because finding a local crew with a mic is a total crapshoot.

I got tired of it, so I built ShenValleyGamers.com.

This isn't just another Discord server. I built a custom system called LFG Pro that actually handles the matchmaking for you.

Want to run a 4-man squad in #Warzone or #Apex? Use !lfg.

The bot spins up a private voice and text channel instantly.

When you're done, it tracks your stats and puts you on the server leaderboard.

Whether you’re looking for a competitive tactical shooter crew, a casual Valheim world, or a local Commander pod for MTG, this is the hub for the Valley.

We’re building a community where you actually know the people you’re playing with. No more toxic randoms, no more 100ms ping - just local players care about the game.

Also, if you have Discord moderating or community management experience, I'm looking to build the staff team up with folks that know their stuff! Message me here or DM me on #Discord.

If you're hosting or capable of hosting a private game server, we want you! Check out our self-hosting application and apply today!

Come check out the dashboard and jump in the Discord:

👉 https://shenvalleygamers.com
👉 https://discord.gg/8nGH5D6M

📡 SVMesh.org is live!

We are building a decentralized mesh network right here in the Shenandoah Valley. If you are interested in off-grid comms and DIY tech, join the grid.

🔗 https://svmesh.org

#ShenandoahValley #MeshNetwork #Meshtastic #VA #Tech

Happy October! Experience the magic of the season at Massanutten Resort’s Mountain Harvest Days, where crisp mountain air, vibrant fall foliage, and cozy autumn vibes come together. 🌾🍁
Enjoy seasonal festivities, family fun, and breathtaking views in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

🍂 Plan your fall getaway: https://www.massresort.com/

#MassanuttenResort #MountainHarvestDays #FallInVirginia #ShenandoahValley #FallGetaway #AutumnAdventures

"The End Of Summer" ... that marvelous time when the heat and intensity of summer slowly fades ...

At my website: https://lois-bryan.pixels.com/featured/the-end-of-summer-lois-bryan.html

And at #FineArtAmerica: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-end-of-summer-lois-bryan.html

Digitally hand-painted in #CorelPainter using one of my own photos as reference of a field not far from our home.

#giftideas #digitallyhandpainted #NotAi #WestVirginia #ShenandoahValley #WV #WVPanhandle #LoisBryn #endofsummer #FineArtAmerica
#art