ABOUT THE COVER ©
by Tira Brandon-Evans and Jill Smith
Brighde of the Waters
© 2009 Jill Smith
Brighde of the Waters
Living in the Hebrides I quickly became aware of the awesome presence of Brighde of the Isles, who manifests the very energy and spirit of the Islands. She has been beloved by the Islanders down through time and I honour her continually.
When I lived in Glastonbury I was aware if the presence of different aspects of Bride/Bridget in that area, also being a very powerful energy.
I have made many pictures of Brighde in varied locations where I have encountered her. This is one aspect of how I met her at Chalice well in Glastonbury, one of the most important sites there for me.
The original is in chalk pastel on A3 paper. I love working in chalk pastel as I use my fingers a lot, which brings me more in contact with the emerging image.
Where ever I encounter her she is my beloved Brighde and when she 'comes through' in a picture it seems more that she has chosen to come than that I have 'created' her.
(Jill Smith, May 2009)
The Artist
Jill Smith is an artist, writer and sometime ritual performance artist.
She studied acting but, when known as Jill Bruce, her work evolved into spectacular pieces of ritual, ceremonial Performance Art when she worked in partnership with her then husband, Bruce Lacey.
After a while she realised this had been a powerful self-initiation into her woman-magic and she went off alone journeying through the sacred landscapes and ancient sites of the British Isles, including a year-long journey round Britain known as 'The Gipsy Switch'.
She then lived for ten years in the Western Isles of Scotland, quietly celebrating the turning cycle of each year at its powerful sacred places. During this time she developed her pastel artwork as well as writing cycles of poetry.
She moved to Glastonbury in Somerset for another decade, writing two books about the Hebrides, doing much goddess-inspired artwork and slide shows, talks and poetry performances.
Now she has returned to her beloved Hebrides, to see what happens next. More of her work can be seen on her website www.jill-smith.co.uk and she can be emailed at airghid@hotmail.com
About the Verse
Brighde of the waters,
Pour healing on my head,
Bride of the wells,
Your kindness flow,
Brighde of the waves,
Lady of the great pouring sea,
Safety to all thereon,
Brighid of the gentle rain,
Your mantle over me.
Brighid of the fair white hands,
Your hand in mine.
Tira Brandon-Evans
January 2010
Brighde of the Waters gave me this verse to go with Jill's beautiful pastel. I am grateful for her kindness.
About the Cover copyright © 2010 by Tira Brandon-Evans and Jill Smith, all rights reserved. Used with permission. Top of Page
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