The Modern Metal Jewelry of Molli Koltun

Molli Koltun of Modern Metal Jewelry is one of our artists from Asheville who has donated her work to Aroma of Art for the second year. Her specialty is precious metal clay work with a background in metalsmithing and various bead work techniques.

Here are her responses to our artist interview.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

I have been creating in one form or another as long as I can remember. My background includes fine at and metal-smith classes. Since the 1990's I have been making jewelry. I was very curious about metal clay for a long time. I love the idea that metal clay is manufactured from a mixture of recycled metal objects (mainly jewelry). I took one class and was instantly hooked!

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

I simply want someone to love and enjoy the piece that they purchase, to know that they have a one of a kind piece.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I was at the point with beading that I wanted to learn something new. I love that metal clay can do things that traditional metal can't and vice versa. I love how a piece can be refined or look organic.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

I'd have to say that I really admired the work of Kate McKinnon and Hadar Jacobson. They are amazing artists and very generous with their knowledge.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

My first piece of jewelry that I made was a bracelet. I can see every flaw in it now, but people still respond to it.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I love working on pieces that evolve on their own, like my fragments neck piece. I start with one idea and it just takes a turn in a different direction.

What are you working on right now?

To the right is a picture of the last piece that I finished. I am also working on a pendant where I will donate a percentage to benefit breast cancer.

Molli Koltun has donated a wonderful earring and necklace set to the Aroma of Art auction. Bid numbers are still available at Taste Full Beans Coffee House - stop in and see her one of a kind metal work!

Wolf Song Studio

Sandi Baker is the other half of Wolf Song Studio. Sandi and JW Baker have a long history with the Hickory arts community and their artwork often reflects their love and reverence for nature and spirit. Sandi and JW both serve on the board of the Wolf Sanctum in Bakersville, NC and many of her paintings express her love for the wolves that reside there.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

I am self-taught, and I work in many mediums. I started airbrushing when I was a teenager. I was interested in vehicle graphics and murals at the time and taught myself to airbrush. I started doing work for friends immediately and by the time I was 19 I opened my own sign business. I always airbrushed and did personal fine art on the side, hoping one day to be able to concentrate solely on fine art.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

Mostly I hope to communicated on a level beyond words, to move the viewer, to inspire.

What drew you to your particular medium?

The airbrush seemed like it was just meant for me - I just knew it would work for me.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

Sign painters, usually those featured in trade magazines. I didn't have mentors as such but I always greatly admired the work of other artists. I have found almost every work of art created by other artists to be inspiring in one way or another.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

I really don't know the first piece, but I used to sit in the pasture and draw horses for hours on end. Horses were my first love and first serious subject.

What are some of your favorite projects?

Of mine? The Spirit Catchers are fun to create, and I enjoy the wide range of reactions from those who view them. I like working with the wood and painting on leather. Each one is a surprise upon completion.

What are you working on right now?

A series of wildlife paintings that incorporate gold leaf. I am leaning towards a more surreal, illusionary style.


My work is available for sale at our website, www.wolfsongstudio.com, and JW and I show our work at Taste Full Beans throughout the year as well as other locations in Hickory and elsewhere. May 15 is the Wolf Creek Rendezvous up in Banner Elk. Wolf Song Studio and other artists will be there from 10:00 to 5:00 with our work for sale.

Sandi has several pieces donated for the Aroma of Art auction. Please come by Taste Full Beans Coffee House to see her wonderful pieces and the other fantastic pieces of art up for auction through Thursday, March4 - still time to make your bid!

Throwing Pots for Aroma of Art

When Rosalie De Fini Outlaw was the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Catawba County several years ago, she co-founded Aroma of Art with Taste Full Beans owners DW Bentley and Edgar Hernandez, Jennifer Hart of ALFA and Lisa Miller of the Women's Resource Center. Rosalie has donated a piece of art to the fundraiser each year of it's existence.

The first few years she donated photography, and now she donates pottery. Jason ahs donated pottery to Aroma of Art for the past two years. This year we wanted to take it to the next level.

Oulaw Pottery donated several pieces of art, inclduing a lizard chip and dip platter and a pottery birdhouse.

During our Holiday Pottery Show and Sale at Taste Full Beans in December, Jason Outlaw asked the attending potters to throw pieces of pottery on his wheel for demonstration during the show.

Each potter donated those pieces for the Aroma of Art fundraiser. The pieces were glazed and fired by Outlaw Pottery for the event. Those potters include Roger Corn of County Line Jug Shop (Lula, GA), Amanda Dobbins of Rosylou Pottery (Hickory, NC), Jesse Rivera and is 12-year old son, Cesar Rivera (Lincolnton, NC).

The offerings of these fine potters are up for auction for Aroma of Art at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory to benefit ALFA and The Humane Society of Catawba County. There is still time to get a bid number and be a part of Aroma of Art - drop into Taste Full Beans during the next week to bid on your favorite pieces.