First, I would like to thank, in alphabetical order,
Art On Main and
Bristol Friends of the Arts
for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the mural project. 
and all of you who are here today in support of the arts community.

I was very excited and honored to be selected as one of five artists to do a landscape on the "the spirit of Vermont" theme.

I love the Vermont landscape, especially Addison County. 
It reminds me of my home town growing up in the Eastern Townships.

My mural is about place
It's about knowing the place we live in
It's about a place and way of life which is slowly disappearing
It's about the Vermont image we use to entice people to visit
It's about a landscape I hope can be preserved
It's about the Vermont we should explore and nurture

In your travels through Vermont in the fall if the spirit moves you to search for that special place   
where trees are aflame with colors
the cows lie together under their favorite tree
where deer stop for a cool drink in the brook
or to eat apples from the farmer=s orchard
where chipmunks prepare for winter
and monarch butterflies gather the last nectar from the milkweeds
may I simply suggest
that you take  the road down a ways and to the left
keep your eyes open  - who knows what else you may discover?
Enjoy the journey

Colette A Paul, 6.19.04