New life growing on a dead tree © William Britten use with permission only
The photo above and below show how densely packed life in the Smoky Mountains is. No sooner does a big tree fall than the recycling begins. Moss and lichens, then ferns and little pine seedlings. Death becomes life, and the old is made new again.
In the Smoky Mountains, nothing is “cleaned up” unless it is blocking a trail or road. If it falls or blows down or is burned, there it lays. As in the photo below, things can get very jumbled in the woods, with layers of fallen trees being worked on by the natural process of decay and renewal. In the jumble and chaos is a natural rhythm and plan. Just like in my studio!
Layers of Life photo © William Britten use with permission only
You’ll find many peaceful examples of natural beauty at the William Britten Gallery on the Arts and Crafts Trail along Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg, TN. Please stop in and see if I can send a special Smoky Mountains photo home with you!
Moss finds a Foothold © William Britten use with permission only
I grew up in South Carolina, but my Grandfather was fron Tenn. Every year, in the summer, I would go home with him, and we would drive up through the Smoky Mountains. Your blog and your photos bring all that back. Wonderful images. Thank you.