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.

Maria Headrick of Mosaics by Maria

Maria Headrick, another of our delightful artist donors, is giving us a glimpse into the world of her artwork. See below her interview and view some pictures of her engaging mosaic pieces.

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

Ten years ago I found a book on Mosaics in the public library and instantly fell in love. I began making items for my home, then to give as gifts. I was part of an online community of mosaic artists and I began to sell hand cut stained glass tiles for use in mosaic work to other artists. The following year my online retail mosaic supply business was born - Mosaics By Maria .

I continue to create and sell my own art while providing other artists products and advice for their own mosaic work.

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

I love how mosaic work refuses to be rushed. Every piece must be carefully chosen and laid. There is a meditative quality to mosaic work, you must get into a rhythm. I also fell in love with the variety of gals, mirror and tiles available to work with.

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

Early in my career I was lucky enough to be mentored by Sonia King and Laurel Skye, two mosaic teachers who have since become revered in the mosaic world. They are both gifted teachers and have published books on mosaic techniques.

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

A mosaic mirror with an Egyptian design. I was inspired by a stained glass panel I had seen at an art show.

What are some of your favorite projects?

My favorite project to date is a mosaic guitar. I also love some of the birdbaths I have created. There is something wonderful about taking an ordinary object and making it into a piece of art!

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on a series of 6" X 6" panels that are reminiscent of small tapestries or rugs. I am having fun trying new color and tile combinations and the challenge of working on such a small surface.

I recently opened a studio in the Harris Arcade, suite #103. We have a mosaic gallery, supplies and classes.

Please come and see Maria's work up for auction at Taste Full Beans Coffee House and Gallery.

The Art of Derfla

Another in our interviews with the donating artists to Aroma of Art - Kent Paulette, a.k.a. Derfla.

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

When I was really young I took art lessons here in Hickory with Beth Marvin. She helped ignite my creative spirit early on. Instead of a lemonade stand, my brother and I had an art stand where we sold our drawings. I continued to enjoy art throughout my elementary and high school years.

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

I like to bring people's attention to how they feel on their darkest and brightest of days and how to reconcile the two. I paint at the intersection of love and suffering.

What drew you to your particular medium?

Living in Hickory I had the pleasure to see Andrew Thomason's paintings around town. I saw that he used oil paint to create a really thick texture and I decided to give it a try.

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

I mainly find my inspiration from great thinkers in music and science. Early on, the beat generation turned me on to some wild ideas. I also enjoy reading books about theoretical physics and books on how our brains think and form consciousness. The one painter who has inspired me most is Brion Gysin. He was a friend of William S. Burroughs and together they cut-up words in order to cut-up reality itself.

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

The first painting on canvas that I did was near the end of high school. It's a cubism-inspired piece called "The Sex of Wrestlers". I was drawn to cubism thought my interest in theoretical physics. The two changed how I viewed space-time and our relation to it and to each other.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I always love to paint people best. I'm drawn to the strong emotions of love and suffering. As far as my technique, I am most pleased when I am able to give complete control over to a process that allows the painting to come to life organically.

What are you working on right now?

I've been experimenting with water-based mediums lately. It's been fun working with thin paints and letting them drip. This process creates a lot of movement and I've taken advantage of that by painting women dancing. Movement has always been a passion of mine so I'm pleased to find a medium that suits it so well.

The two paintings by Derfla pictured here and one other of his are up for auction at Taste Full Beans Coffee House through March 4, 2010.

Vickie Jo Franks

Vickie Jo Franks is a first time donor to Aroma of Art. She is a retired art teacher, having taught in several school districts for over 30 years. Her work is currently on display at the Gaston County Public Library in Gastonia, NC. Her work has been shown at the Hickory Museum of Art, Kathleen's Simply Irresistible Gallery in Tryon, the Sea and Sounds Gallery in Manteo, NC, the Cleveland County Memorial Library and Frame Masters Gallery in Shelby.

Vickie Jo uses recycled materials to create her folk are images. She has a deep reverence for nature and creation and her work is a reflection of her passion. The messages in her work reflect her sincere beliefs in human stewardship of our planet, promoting the spay and neuter of pets, rabies prevention awareness including World Rabies Day and the Alliance for Rabies Control and anti-littering campaigns. An article about her was recently published in the Charlotte Observer.

Below are her responses to our artist interview questions. We are proud to have her participation in Aroma of Art.

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

I grew up in a rural place in North Carolina and spent a lot of time outside. Being close to nature taught me an appreciation for animals , trees, rain, the beauty and wonder of small and large creation. My family was very resourceful and creative, making things with out hands and repairing broken things ourselves. We are a family of readers with many books and encyclopedias at our disposal, including the magazine "Popular Science". I participated in every art and craft event offered. The media I use reflects the positive influence of parents, community, especially women's craft and handwork, with an emphasis on the creative use of materials and appreciation of nature.

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

The work I create will cause people to appreciate nature, enabling people to make past, present and future connections. When experiencing my work people will know the beauty and wonder of a leaf, a bird, a flower, a purple sky. People will understand that subduing the earth does not man destroying everything and each other.

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

Family and community members who were creative, resourceful and appreciated art and craft forms inspired me in my work. Native American potters and basket weavers were also an early influence. I am also inspired by cartoons, particularly the work of Charles Schulz and his story of early rejection. I appreciated the work of Jackson Pollack as a child and was disturbed by the attempts to discredit his work by showing that animals could paint like him. Later in the classroom I was inspired by the collage work of Romere Bearden who showed the artistic possibilities, even when conventional art supplies are limited.

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

Family trips to Washington DC to visit family were filled with visits to historical places. My cousin Mickey was an excellent artist. As a child of five I thought he was a genius. I decided to see if I could draw. I looked out the window, saw a fire truck and drew it.

What are some of your favorite projects?

My work is a reflection of my time spent connecting with nature in the garden. I use my work to encourage the community to participate in rabies reduction advocacy including World Rabies Day and the Alliance for Rabies Control. I also participate in the annual Great Back Yard Bird Count promoted by Cornell University. I also work on advocacy for wild horses in NC.

What are you working on right now?

I am completing some work in progress while continually scouting exhibition opportunities and marketing venues for my work. My husband, Ronnie, and I take road trips to find places around the state that are appreciative of folk art. I work on several pieces at a time. One piece, "God Bless America", a quilt/collage/assemblage piece I plan to have completed by May for the Hickory Museum of Art 9th Art on the Avenue.

Wolf Song Studios JW Baker

Another of our artists for Aroma of Art is JW Baker. Along with his wife Sandi baker, they run Wolf Song Studio, where they create their amazing portraits.

Below are JW's repsonses to our artist interview.

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

I started my career as a professional finger-painter at the age of 4 - things just sort of took off from there. I have since branched out into other mediums.

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

Good art should evoke a reaction - ideally (from my perspective) it should be a positive reaction. I like to think of painting as storytelling in that as the Artist you seek to share a unique perspective to educate or make your audience aware of some aspect of your subject they may not have considered. For example, with the wildlife art, ideally it is to make the viewer consider the subject not as "just an animal" but rather as a fellow inhabitant of this Earth we both share.

What drew you to your particular medium? How did you get started in your medium?

That's difficult to answer in that I consider myself a "mixed media" artist. I combine acrylics and oils for effect, and use the airbrush and conventional paintbrushes, again for effect. Each lends itself uniquely to specific presentations. I originally started airbrushing because it lent itself well to working larger with greater ease and also it opened up the possibilities of putting art on unique substrates; the foremost of which for me personally was wearable art.

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

I didn't have any mentors being a self-taught artist. My inspiration from other artists was initiallyu from the comic artists fo the day, formeost being Jack "The King" Kirby, Joe Kubert, Samuel J. Glanzman and Barry Windsor- Smith. Later inspirations would be Frank Frazetta, Roger Dean, Brian Froud and Alan Lee.

As I began to work as a full-time 'working artist" I was very fortunate to have two mentors in how to live and make your living as a working artist. Both of these individuals are friends and their work has been a great inspiration - Mike Segal and Dee Morris.

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

I can't specifially remember that "first piece of art". I suppose it would be those finger-paintings that I would consider my first artworks, as art has always been my best means of expressing myself, and I have been doing it for as long as I can remember. It's hard to remember a day that I wasn't doing something creative during some par (if not all) of the day.

What are some of your favorite projects?

Creating art to benefit the various wildlife rescue and rehab places over the years has always been rewarding. When I was in my early 20's I used to work for the City of Clearwater with a good friend of mine, and we donated our time and talents (he is an excellent musician and sound engineer) to benefit a summer theatre project for young people interested in theatre. I used to design the sets and he did all the stage lighting and sound - that was fun.

What are you working on right now?

Continuing on in my "artistic journey"...

Aroma of Art Artist Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio

For another in our series of interviews with our artist contributors, we posed some questions to Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio about his work.

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

I am a resident of Hickory, NC and I grew up in upholstered furniture manufacturing. I've spent a lot of time merchandising fabric and frame combinations for manufacturers and I still do so today. I started painting when I understood a project to pain the interior of a house. In doing so, there were many angles and niches in the walls to where I could contrast colors and more interest to them. During that same week, my daughter had a project to complete and we went to the craft store. There I saw an oil painting kit for 50% off. I purchased it, painted a tree by a stream and my daughter did not believe that I had painted it. I thought I was onto something and have been painting ever since.

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

That you don't have to be pigeon holed into something everyone wants to think you are. With the freedom we have in America, we can be whoever we wish to be and express abilities and talents without fear of repression. This a gift, to be able to pursue what is fun and interesting.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I really enjoy oil paintings and oriental rugs. Trying to furnish your homes with these items can get expensive. I bought a few paintings and found I liked impressionistic landscapes. seascapes and buildings. I really studied the finished product of them and tried it on my own. I work primarily with oils but occasionally water color as well.

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

Stephen Brooks, Joe Lafone, Elise Starnes, Toni Carlson and Kate Worm are people I know who are artists. These are great individuals who learned their craft over time and are very good at what they do. Some of them are people I grew up with and that gave me the confidence to try painting myself.

Andrew Braitman, Birger Sandzen, George Inness, Van Gogh, Monet and David McCraig are artists whose techniques I enjoy studying. I'm a self taught artist so I pick up techniques from current articles, magazines, the Internet and books that relate to painting.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I spend a lot of time in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Mountain landscapes and local scenes are what I enjoy painting the most, mostly outdoor settings with lots of color and heavy textures.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on two commissioned paintings, one of a fisherman in a boat on a lake and another of an old farm setting in Burnsville, NC.

Alex's work is currently on display at Taste Full Beans Coffee House

Call for Art for Aroma of Art 2010

We want to thank all of you for your past support of Aroma of Art silent auction. Now in its 8th year, this annual event brings awareness and funds for ALFA and the Humane Society of Catawba county.

It's that time of year to request donations of art from all of our wonderful artists for February 2010's  auction.

The Kick off will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, and the Finale will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30p.m. Bidding will end at 6:30pm that evening. The art will be on display at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse throughout the month of February. 

Donations of art can include: oil paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture or jewelry from local and national artists.

Art may be dropped off January 13, 14 & 15 at Taste Full Beans from 5:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Or shipped to Taste Full Beans 29 2nd Street SW, Hickory, NC 28601 (please arrive on or before January 15, 2010)

For more information about the event or to confirm you will donate, please contact Edgar or DW Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse at 828/325-0108 or email at tfbcoffeehouse@hotmail.com.

Aroma of Art is Heating Up!

Yes, its that time of year when we begin planning the annual fundraiser called Aroma of Art, bringing together artists and local non-profits in a celebration of great artistic talent and community service.

This event takes place at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory, NC.  The event features art from local Hickory artists and surrounding counties, with some art coming from Asheville, Charlotte and eastern NC.

The opening ceremony starting the bidding will be Thursday, January 28, 2010, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.  The closing finale when final bids on the donated art will be taken, will be Thursday, March 4, 2010 form 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

We are looking forward to a wonderful event, to gathering together the many talented artists that will donate and display their work, and to reaching a goal of raising $10,000 for our most worthy non-profits!

Our call to artists will go out early November.  If you have any questions or want to help, please call the coffee house.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone again in January!

Aroma of Art Finale Photos

WRC Director Lisa Miller, ALFA Director Jenn Hart, and HSCC Director Jane Earnest thank TFB, sponsors, artists, and the community for suppporting the month long event.

Aroma of Art Devotees! The pictures of the finale are here. It was a wonderful evening and here are some pictures to view for those of you who were not able to attend. It was a very busy and enjoyable evening as you can see.

Many of the donating artists came to enjoy the evening. Bidders had a chance to meet with the artists to learn more about their coveted items. As it came down to the wire, bidders staked out their claims as they waited for the end of the bidding.

AOA is an event that fosters community. The event brings together artists and all those interested in supporting the efforts of hard working local agencies for and evening of fun, great conversation, art and great food!

We hope to make next year's event and even greater success than this year's, and we hope all of you will come and join us throughout the event next year to support our local agencies that do so much to make Hickory a great place for everyone and our local artists that so generously give to make the AOA auction a success.

Aroma of Art Finale - Join us at Taste Full Beans for the Auction!

The Aroma of Art silent art auction comes to an end on Saturday night, February 28 beginning at 5:00 PM. Proceeds benefit three nonprofit groups, ALFA, Humane Society of Catawba County, and the Women's Resource Center. Taste Full Beans in downtown Hickory is hosting Aroma of Art, and the public is welcome to come and bid on the beautiful fine artwork, pottery, jewelry, photographs and woven pieces. All you need to do is to come into Taste Full Beans and get a bid number. The photographs shown here, titled "Trees", "Cheers!" and "Straws", are by Cindy and Sam Tallman and are part of the Aroma of Art auction.

Each of the three groups receiving funds from AOA support a variety of needs in Western North Carolina that directly benefit the people in our community. You can show your support for all non-profits by attending the AOA finale and taking home some beautiful artwork.

Lisa Miller, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center says, "Proceeds from AOA will directly support local women going through difficult transitions - including unemployment, divorce, illness, and mental health issues. In 2008, WRC staff and trained volunteers responded one-on-one to 716 requests for help. These requests came from Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander counties. Community donations can help an unemployed woman receive professional clothing, laundry detergent to wash clothes, and a $10 gas card to help her get to her interview and back home."

Executive Director of ALFA, Jennifer A. Hart, tells us, "Funds raised from Aroma of Art will be used to support the ongoing mission of ALFA, specifically to provide life-saving services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide free and confidential HIV counseling and testing services to an eight county service area. Funds can provide co-pays for expensive medications and treatments or support ALFA's food and hygiene pantry. Funds will also be utilized to purchase UniGold HIV antibody tests. With just a prick of the finger, results can be read in just ten minutes. We thank Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse for recognizing the critical need for HIV/AIDS awareness and compassionate support in our community!"

"With the funds raised through Aroma of Art, Humane Society of Catawba County will be able to rescue 15 or more homeless animals. We will be able to spay/neuter, perform a complete medical exam with tests, give vaccinations, provide shelter and feed and groom these animals while we work towards finding them a Forever Home," says Jane Earnest, Executive Director of HSCC.

The finale begins at 5:00 PM with hors d'oeuvres, wine and coffee provided. Bidding ends at 6:30 PM with check-out following immediately.

If you don't already have a bid number, there's still time to get one at Taste Full Beans. Taste Full Beans is located in downtown Hickory at 29 2nd Street, NW, Hickory, NC 28601. Form more information, call 828-325-0108.

Cry of the Wolf

This is another fine offering from our friends at Wolf Song Studio. This painting by Sandi Baker is titled "Nala" . I am a big fan of both Sandi and JW Baker's work and have one of Sandi's paintings hanging in my home.

Their talents combine with paint and canvas to create images of nature that are truly extraordinary. This image of Nala looks like she will step right out of the painting!

Treat yourself to a visit to Tastefull Beans for good food and drink, and the experience of seeing the Baker's work along with all of the other wonderful artists on display.

Remember, everything is being auctioned off for charity and the bidding will end at the finale on Saturday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. The evening starts at 5:00 PM and will feature finger food, wine and other beverages and lots of good conversation. Hope to see all of you there!

The Bright Glow of Silver

Here are two more beautiful offerings from one of our artists....Earrings and Necklace of Opalite by Jessi Eurich. See her link under AOA Artists Online. You can see these and other wonderful auction items at Tastefull Beans in Hickory.

Jewelry and more Jewelry!

We have so much wonderful jewelry up for auction this year! Its a great time to come in to Tastefull Beans to see the enormous talent in the local and outlying areas of Hickory. We have had local artists donate items, and we have also had several artists from the Asheville, Hendersonville and Charlotte areas offer their work for the auction.

For the jewelry lover and wearer in your life, this is a great time to come and bid on a wide variety of styles. All one of a kind, all hand made by North Carolina jewelers. Stop by the blog everyday for more featured artists donations.

The pieces in the photos here are by PJ Yang.

Calling all art photography lovers ...

This is one of the beautiful items donated to the Aroma of Art auction. This photograph titled "Azalea Grandeur" is donated by Janice Setzler. The bidding on this item and all the items for the auction will go on through the end of February.

There is much more to see at the Tastefull Beans Aroma of Art auction so make a trip in soon to look and place a bid!