Lorelle Bacon, Fine Artist

Mickey Buckwalter, Photographer

			Lorelle Bacon First of all, I paint because I must.... It is as much a part of me as my hands or eyes. When I am not painting it is like a big part of who I am is missing. Having been fascinated with people for as long as I can remember, it is not surprising that I'm primarily known as a portrait artist. Within the last few years, I have become aware that I desire to do more than produce a likeness of my subjects. Now, I strive to connect with the person on a deeper level that comes through in the finished painting, showing the distinctive quality of that person's inherent spirit, the essence of them, if you will. It is with renewed excitement and enthusiasm that I continue to do commissioned portraits as well as my figurative work. It is my wish that my work touch the heart of the viewer and gives them a moment's pause. Perhaps they will sense a bit of what I felt about the subject, or better yet, to get in touch with their own feelings about it......

		Lorelle Bacon Biography I'm mostly a self-taught artist who began creating art later in life as a hobby. Taking what I learned by participating in some workshops, my own style emerged. Since early childhood, people have always fascinated me, so it's not surprising that today I am primarily known as a portrait and figurative artist. "I try to go beyond just getting a likeness and strive to capture the essence or spirit of my subjects. It is my hope that my work touches the heart of the viewer and gives them a moment's pause. Perhaps they will sense a bit of what I felt about the subject, or better yet, get in touch with their own feelings about the subject..."; My work is hanging in private and business collections in Germany, Holland and throughout the United States. Highlights of my career was being represented by Glaerie am Gurzenich in Koln', Germany; a painting being accepted in the Small Works International Exhibit during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan; Solo exhibits at The Paint Spot Gallery and Backtracks Galleries in Black Mountain NC, Asheville's Renaissance Hotel, Asheville NC, Countryside Country Club in Clearwater Florida, plus several years of being accepted into the Miniature Art Society of Florida's International exhibit, which is the largest miniature exhibit in the United States. My work has been accepted and won awards in many juried exhibitions throughout the United States, with the most resent award being The Presidential Award in the Cider Painters of America's miniature exhibit in Pennsylvania. "I have discovered during the 12 plus years of teaching art to students from 6 through 90 years of age, that the saying, "Teaching touches a life forever";, is quite true, but it also works the other way around. Residing with my husband in the mountains of Western North Carolina, my work may be seen at Woolworth Walk Gallery in Asheville, NC and Backtracks Gallery, Black Mountain, NC.

"The human spirit goes for great dreams not because they are plausible, but because they are irresistible." -- Author Unknown

			Mickey Buckwalter I travel because I have to. There's an inner desire to experience other cultures and see different things. Traveling in Third World countries helps me appreciate what I have and to remember what's truly important in life. The people in these countries have very little, yet many are willing to share with me what they have and do it joyfully. They are filled with a peace and inner joy that radiates from them even though life is "hard" and they want more for their children. There are always people willing to help me while traveling in this country and abroad. I've grown from traveling and have walked through many fears. Finally I've found a way of sharing these experiences with others through my photographs and slide presentations. Not everyone has the desire to travel and this is one way for them to learn about the people in other countries. We live in a world that is shrinking and have contact with other cultures everyday. In Buncombe County alone there are people from 36 different countries. They work in restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, in offices, and own and manage stores.

"When we truly understand others we recognize our similarities and celebrate our differences."

		Mickey Buckwalter Biography I grew up in the conservative Midwest and worked there as a computer systems analyst for many years. Then I went on a trek with the Sierra Club in Nepal. That trip changed my life forever. Within a year I quit my job, sold my house and left for Southeast Asia with a backpack, camera, guidebook and one-way ticket to Nepal. Since 1990 I have traveled for 3 years to over 32 different countries. Much of my traveling was done solo in Third World Countries. Prior to that I had traveled in all 50 states in the US and 8 other foreign countries. These travels have shown me that there are always people willing to help, to reach out in times of need and in friendship even when the only common language is sign language. These travels in other countries, especially seeing the way they enjoyed life, changed my values of what's truly important in life. I continue to travel because I have to. It helps me remember what's truly important in life. I also enjoy experiencing other cultures. Taking photographs has always been a part of my life and I have won awards in slide clubs that I belonged to. Stories about my travels and experiences have been published. I create graphite portraits and have had them accepted into juried art exhibits. While working in the Midwest, I conducted fund raising rallies as a loaned executive for the United Way. I met with the representatives from other companies and either helped them set up the rallies or presented them myself. When completed, I was one of only two who met or exceeded their goals that year! Recently I received my "Competent Toast Master" rating from Toast Masters International. I now live in the lovely mountains of North Carolina where I am involved in the project "Bridging the Gap" with artist Lorelle Bacon. I give slide presentations sharing my travel experiences while Lorelle displays oil portraits of the people I photographed during my travels.

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