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Doreyl Ammons Cain, Creating Art in the Woods
by doreyl 
Art snippits from my Dillsboro, NC mural, "on Hallowed Ground," as it progresses!
Still need donations for the funds to complete the mural. Send your donation to D. Cain, PO Box 339, Tuckasegee, NC 28779, with a notation "On Hallowed Ground" and you will receive a hand signed and numbered fine art print of the finished mural in October 2013! If you'd like to use Paypal click on this link:
A very special celebrity will be unveiling my mural, "On Hallowed Ground" in Dillsboro, NC, USA on October 5, at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time to open the ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia festival- The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Chief, Michael Hicks. This is a wonderful event, as Nimrod Jarrett Smith, Principle Eastern Band Cherokee Chief of the 1800's is being painted into the mural.
We now have a simple and easy way for artists to signup for ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia.
Just click on the link below and you can pay with Paypal. Sign up now to have a place in our online ColorFest 2013 art gallery!
Each generation has it’s own unique flavor. No matter where you’re from, what you do, there’s something special about the world during your lifetime. The Revolution, the Civil War, ‘Big Depression,’ the Flappers, War Babies, “Flower Children, Viet Nam, The Tsusami... the list goes on. We’re all learning. When looking back a throughout my past, I wonder at the changes, the person I’ve become and the changes yet to come.
My life began at the base of Horse Shoe Rock in the Little Canada section of Jackson County, NC. Delivered naturally by a relative at home, I grew up living in the backwoods and exploring nature. By other’s standards, my family were poor mountain folks, yet I didn’t know life any other way. My Dad taught me that I could accomplish anything, if I really wanted it. I believed him and went on to work my way through college and on into a Masters of Arts in a special major, Biological/medical Illustration at the California State University at Long Beach. The arts became my life and tremendous rewards came through my chosen advocation. With every step in my world of art, I became more.
Today I have moved full circle back into living close to nature and creating large art murals about our beautiful mountain heritage. During my research about this area of the Smoky Mountains my eyes have opened even wider to the deep legacy we share here. Our roots intertwine with those who have paved the way and with every passing day we become more.
Some of those who lived here in the 1880’s are a part of my new mural “On Hallowed Ground.” One such person is Eastern Band of Cherokee 3rd Principle Chief Nimrod Jarrett Smith (Tsaladihi.) A well-educated and well-spoken man, he was fluent in both Cherokee and English, although he had learned Cherokee as a second language. He was elected Principal Chief in 1880 upon the death of his immediate predecessor, Lloyd Welch. He exercised unprecedented power over and influence among the Eastern Cherokee working actively for official U.S. government recognition for the band as a tribe under federal law and was successful. He was also chiefly responsible for the incorporation of the Eastern Band as a legal entity by the North Carolina legislature. In 1887 he was host to ethnologist James Mooney during Mooney's first visit to the Eastern Band in western North Carolina. In that year Mooney observed a Green Corn Dance that became the last such ritual enacted by the tribe for over a century.
The following was published upon his death in the Franklin Press, Aug. 9,1893 - Vol.VII, No.43 : “Chief Smith was the most prominent member of the Eastern band of Cherokees. He was born in Cherokee County about 50 years ago. He was pretty well educated, quite intelligent, a man of honor, and made friends among the whites wherever he went. To form his acquaintance was to become his friend. He was a man of splendid physique, straight and majestic in build, while his hair hung in jet black curls about his shoulders. He was one-fourth withe. He leaves a wife, and two sons and three daughters. He was a prominent Mason, and was buried with Masonic honors at Yellow Hill on the 5th inst. He was a good man, and the Cherokees will mourn his death.”
The unveiling of my mural “On Hallowed Ground” will take place on October 5, 2013 at 10 am to open ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia in Dillsboro. Eastern Band of Cherokee Principle Chief Michael Hicks will be on hand to officially unveil the mural. Very appropriate, for Chief Hicks has achieved much for the Eastern Band of Cherokee and with every step forward, will become more.
Life is tough and wonderful all at the same time. Even though planting my spring garden is grueling, sweaty work, I love watching the tiny plants push their heads up through the earth. Even more, enjoying fresh, delectable tomatoes, squash, green beans, sweet peas and sweet corn during the summer months just makes warm mountain days extra special. Of course it takes more work to pick the vegetables, wash them and prepare them from scratch. You could say, what you remember as wonderful takes a bit of effort to produce, especially those creations that mean a lot and make a difference. Life is a ‘roll up your sleeves and get to it’ proposition.
This is especially true of the process of creating art in the woods. My yurt studio is a scene out of a movie script of utter chaos. Huge art boards nearly touch the 11 foot ceiling. Several levels of ladders face the boards, while a tiny stool sits near the bottom. Nearly 50 brushes ranging from tiny bristles to large flat sables and horse hair, all lay scattered as I use them. Like picking up pieces from shattered glass, the painting develops on the boards into balance, harmony and clarity...quite an adventure.
Creativity is a labor of love that once experienced, becomes a passion. Everyone can experience painting and planting, with some work. That’s why my art workshops for 2013 are entitled " "Discovering Your Hidden Artist." They happen the first Saturday of the month— 2 PM- 5 PM, Nature’s Home Preserve, Tuckasegee, WNC
This pastel art class is inclusive, yet sets you on a journey towards greater learning. You’ll experience the adventure of painting with pastels the nature around you. Creating a quick composition through placement of dark and light colors and simple shapes you’ll learn the basics in the use of pastels, color, composition and finishing detail. During inclement weather, the workshops are conducted in my Yurt studio at Nature’s Home Preserve. Weather permitting there is possible hiking involved and each person will complete a Plein Air or still life painting in every class. Some of the techniques covered are: spontaneous composition, working with complementary colors, figure painting, botanical drawing, landscape and still life painting. The fee is $36 each class with all materials furnished. Open to beginning and experienced art students.
Other Upcoming Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Saturday art events:
June 1- "The View" landscape painting at a mountain homestead; pastel workshop
July 13- "Faces" seeing the details in pastel portrait painting; pastel workshop
September 5- "ColorFest Artist’s Reception"; Jarrett House
September 7- "Opposites" light versus shadow; pastel workshop
August 3- "Reflections" painting water; pastel workshop
October 5- ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia- 10:00 AM "On Hallowed Ground" mural unveiling; Festival until 4:00 PM, Dillsboro, NC
November 2- Final Class of 2013- Painting the fall landscape
To make a reservation call 828-293-2239 or go to www.doreylsart.com and email me.
Every day, I paint!
Making progress on painting the Dillsboro mural. Every day is a new experience with color, harmony and perspective. Above are a few details from the mural, "in progress of course!" You can check in on my new Facebook page: Muralist Doreyl, to comment and/or have a conversation!
Ablaze with Life!
It’s remarkable... the stories, the creative spirit and shared heritage here in the mountains. To capture a small part of it is quite an accomplishment. Both my sister Amy Ammons Garza, storyteller and I, visual artist are dedicated to telling the stories through art and words.
Keeping warm inside my yurt studio has been a challenge throughout the month of February and is getting somewhat better this March. Yet, through all this I’ve been painting a large mural to honor that creative Appalachian spirit; it’s called "On Hallowed Ground.." Based on my rough pastel sketch, the mural is beginning to take on a life of it’s own. The sketch has helped me get started, yet the finished mural will be decidedly different! The two main characters in this pictorial epic into the 1800’s are a Dills couple, William Allen Dills, founder of the town of Dillsboro and his wife, Alice Enloe Dills. They sit at the top of a mountain overlooking the patchwork town of Dillsboro. The town is ablaze with life! Another interesting person who sits overlooking the scene is Col-lee, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Chief of the 1830’s. He looks so colorful, so interesting. What a tale he could tell!
“On Hallowed Ground” is an art mural project that tells the story of Dillsboro, North Carolina. Using art to honor the people and nature of the southern Appalachians has been my mission as an artist since returning home to the mountains twenty two years ago. Bringing this art to the public’s eye is extremely important, so large sized murals placed in public venues have become the true artistic expression for me. This project is already stretching my abilities as an artist and bringing an artistic challenge, which I am diligently working through.
This past year Catch the Spirit of Appalachia moved it’s fine arts festival, ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia to Dillsboro. As director of the festival I’ve been working with the Dillsboro Merchants Association to bring more visitors and interest to the town. The mural idea came through this endeavor. We believe this project will bring a greater awareness of the creativity and heritage of the region and part of a new beginning for the town! Most of the buildings in Dillsboro today still look nearly the same as in the 1800's.
Pledges from the community and art grants are the backing that’s needed to make this mural become a reality. Those of you who would like to pledge to the mural will receive a first edition limited edition art print of the mural and those who are contributing $100 or more will have their names on the plaque which is to be placed on the mural. You can go to www.colorfestartblog.com to find out more about how to pledge or call me at 828-293-2239.
On October 5 at 10:00 AM the mural will be unveiled to begin ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia. With eight months of work invested into this art piece, it too should be remarkable. We’ll just have to wait and see... Very Rewarding Work, painting the "On Hallowed Ground" mural... Even though physically it's been tough, the magic of creating on such a large scale and bringing history alive is awesome. I look forward to every time I go down to my yurt studio to paint, although, right now I'm healing from the last painting spree! In about a week I should be able to post a picture of the first mural panel in progress!
Just started painting the Dillsboro Heritage mural today! It's quite a workout painting on such a hugh board, yet I'm so excited to be doing this artwork. It'll be the first of it's kind in this part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I'll be posting pictures of it's development!
Above is the first rough pastel drawing of the 16 feet X 8 feet Dillsboro Mural, "On Hallowed Ground."
We plan to unveil the mural on October 5, 2013 in the Town of Dillsboro to open our fine arts festival, ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia.
Call for Artists! We're are accepting applications from fine artists of the Southern Appalachian region for ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia. See description below:
"Enjoy the Magic of ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia Saturday October 5, 2013 from 10am til 4pm
Fine artists gather under colorful umbrellas on the sidewalks of Dillsboro in this 5th annual daylong event to create their works of art for you to view and experience the magic first-hand. Local musicians play live on the streets to set a backdrop of local harmony as the aroma of North Carolina made foods fill the air. You can come and enjoy the art, food, music, restaurants and hometown shops on this special day in Dillsboro North Carolina!
This unique artwork will be available for sale throughout
the month of September and on the day of ColorFest.
I am excited! Just recently received a $3,000 grant award from the Asheville Arts Council towards my Dillsboro mural project, "On Hallowed Ground."
This grant will allow me to get started on the Dillsboro mural project. I have written several other grants to reach the amount needed to complete the mural, another $9,000.
With donations from the community and another grant, this wonderful mural will happen! I'm so excited to receive this grant!
I have just finished the first leg of my research about Dillsboro's history, so I'll be posting my rough sketches as my vision develops on my art blog. Those who would like to donate to this Dillsboro mural project can send your check to: Doreyl Ammons Cain, "On Hallowed Ground" PO Box 339, Tuckasegee, NC 28783. When you donate you will receive a limited edition art print of the mural, once it's finished!
2013 "Art Workshops by Doreyl" Schedule for the first Saturdays at Nature's Home Preserve from 2PM until 5 PM:
April 6- Painting Figures in Nature"; May 11-"Wildflowers with a Twist"; June 1- "The View" landscape painting at a mountain homestead; July 13- "Faces" seeing the details in pastel portrait painting; August 3- "Reflections" painting water with pastels; September 7- "Opposites" color virus black & white, light virus shadow; October 5- "Celebration" ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia in Dillsboro, NC; November 2- "Fall" painting the fall landscape with pastels.
To sign upfor an art workshop go to my website and click on 'email Doreyl: http://yurtstudio.com
Just started a mural project for the town of Dillsboro, NC called "On Hallowed Ground." The mural will be unveiled at 10:00 AM on October 5, 2013 to kick off ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia annual festival in Dillsboro!
Below is a description of the mural idea. You can be a part of this prodject by pledging your support of $25 (you will receive a limited edition print of the mural) or $100 or more to receive a matted limited edition print and have your name engraved on theplaque that will be attached to the mural.
About Doreyl Ammons Cain
Running the Blue Ridge Mountains as a child, examining bugs, sliding down rough rocks tumbling with water and delighting in the colors of nature all transformed me into an artist. As early as 4 year old I drew birds with a stick in the sandy road in front of our cabin. The backwoods became my laboratory and the mountains my inspiration.
Fascinated with nature, I grew up to become a Biological-Medical Illustrator, working my way into a Master of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach. Returning home in 1990 after 30 years in California, I've loved the past 22 years of creating spontaneous artwork along side my sister, Amy Ammons Garza-storyteller. We co-founded Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA), a no n-profit group planting the seeds of heritage through the arts in the Southeastern United States and beyond. Online at spiritofappalachia.org
Today my husband Jerry and I live on a nature preserve which we pioneered throughout the past 12 years, creating a sustainable life-style for leaving a small footprint on the earth. We've found peace here in the solitude, protected by rows of mountains. It's the perfect spot for creating art for children's books and for my own line of limited edition fine art prints & note cards. The first Saturday of every month artists gather on the preserve to take part in my painting workshop called "Finding the Hidden Artist" and they too find their place in nature here.
As a speaker I am co-host of CSA's "Stories of Mountain Folk" radio show and as an author I write a column called "Art in the Woods" & have written three creativity art books (the latest called "Learning to Fly") and co-authored "Catch the Spirit of Creativity." As an artist I am also a passionate muralist honoring the mountain folk and the beauties of nature.
Please click on the numbers below or catagories to the right to find out much more! Also click on the art Print blog: http://yurtstudio.com/myblog/blog5.php to view a few pieces of my art.
You can find my artprints gallery at www.yurtstudio.com
Listen to "Stories of Mountain Folk" at storiesofmountainfolk.com and purchase a book at csabooks.com
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Attachments:
ArtBluRdgApplication.pdf (42 KB)
05/04/13 09:31:00 pm,