PAGE 17 · VISITING THE SMOKIES, October 2004
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Two of a Kind
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In this, our final article of the 2004 season, you'll get a two-fer: two artisans in the space of one. Not because they are less deserving or less interesting than any of the others, but because they tend to come as a package deal.
Jo Freshour and Pat Trautman are good friends. They are both talented artists who do a lot of craft shows together, and they both volunteer at least one day per week each as shopkeepers at Treasures Of Appalachia. If it weren't for the help of people like Jo and Pat, we couldn't keep the T.O.A. gallery open. We appreciate their generosity as well as their artistic abilities.
Jo Freshour was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee where she met her husband, Brady, at a skating
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rink. Brady was born and raised here in Cocke County, then joined the Navy. Since we don't have an ocean here in Cocke County, he went to Virginia Beach to serve after his basic training. Jo had always wanted to live in the country, so when Brady's military stint was up and they had the opportunity to return to Brady's birthplace and live "in the country" she jumped at it.
In 1987 Brady bought Jo a 35mm Nikon camera for Christmas and a zoom lens the following year. Jo began taking the camera with her on her treks into the woods. "It's so beautiful here, that you just want to capture that beauty and keep it with you always." Says Jo. " I love God's beautiful world; the varied colors, the way light and shadow plays
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Jo's artwork can be found at the Jim Gray Gallery in Gatlinburg, Spirit of the Hand in Dandridge, Penny's Parlor in Cosby, Craig's Gifts in Waynesville NC, and Treasures of Appalachia in Cosby.
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Jo Freshour
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across things."
Jo's motto in life - which is used as a caption on some of her photos is: "Each moment of the year has its own beauty, a picture that has never been seen before and will never be seen again."
To expand her boundaries, Jo took an art class to learn to paint. The instructor would take the paintings home, mat them, and bring them back. Jo was fascinated by the matting, and began learning to use the colors and textures of mats to enhance and compliment her photographs. She does not pursue her skills as a painter, preferring to focus on her skills as a photographic artist. "It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to share the beauty I find around me with others." She says.
Jo's work is available at the Jim
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Gray Gallery in Gatlinburg, Spirit Of The Hand in Dandridge, Penny's Parlor in Cosby, Craig's Gifts in Waynesville NC, and Treasures Of Appalachia in Cosby.
Pat Trautman was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and lived for 23 years in Ocala Florida where her husband, Don, worked with the telephone company and Pat worked in an animal hospital. For years they vacationed at the Blue Ridge Inn. They loved this area, and talked about retiring here.
In 1986 their daughter found an advertisement in the Ocala newspaper for a fixer-upper home in the foothills of the Smokies in Tennessee, and suggested that they swing by on their upcoming vacation and have a look. They
SEE TWO of a Kind PAGE 19
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PAGE 19 · VISITING THE SMOKIES, October 2004
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CONTINUED FROM Two of a Kind, PAGE 17
did and they were hooked.
In 1994, after Don's retirement, they moved to Cocke County, bringing with them 3 Rotweilers and 13 cats. Pat's love of animals propelled her to do volunteer work with The Friends Of The Animal Shelter, which she continues to this day.
In Florida, Pat collected pottery pieces at craft shows. She was particularly fond of pieces employing figures of cats. Once here, and retired, she decided to try making her own pottery pieces. It turned out to be much harder than she had thought! But with lots of books and practice, practice, practice, Pat perfected her skills and developed a style all her own. Pat says, "I like working with clay; it's got a heft to it, a substance. And I love taking a shapeless lump of clay and working it with my own hands into something wonderful. And of course my love of cats shows through as inspiration for many of my pieces."
Pat's work is available at the Jim Gray Gallery, The Smoky Mountain Visitor Center and the Treasures Of Appalachia gallery and web site.
When asked why they volunteer their time at Treasures of Appalachia, Pat says, "Because we want it to work! And it makes you feel good to sell a piece of art to someone who appreciates it. Even when it's a piece by another artist, knowing how it will make them feel to have sold a piece, makes me feel good."
Jo replies, "I love all the hand crafted things, they're really special. And I'm so glad to have a local shop to put our things in. I like that we can help people find the hand made artwork that they
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Pat Trautman shows off assorted pottery cat heads.
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came here looking for."
When you come into the T.O.A. Gallery, feel free to ask Pat or Jo - or the other volunteers: Joy O'Hare, Len and Varena and Doug and Marie -- about the pieces they've created, many of which have stories behind them that add to your appreciation of authentic, handcrafted art.
Treasures of Appalachia is a quality Art & Craft Gallery that offers the works of 46 Cocke County artisans. Everything in the store is locally made, and hand crafted. They also host monthly Art & Craft Gatherings that are open to all artists, crafters, performers and food vendors. You may reach the gallery at (423) 487-3111 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except Wednesday and Sunday. Or you may contact Len and Varena Landrum at (423) 487-5448 or Doug & Marie Bittinger at (423) 623-9692 or log onto www.TreasuresOfAppalachia.com.
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Pat's work is available at the Jim Gray Gallery, The Smoky Mountain Visitor Center, and the Treasures Of Appalachia gallery and web site.
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"I love taking a shapeless lump of clay and working it with my own hands into something wonderful," says Pat.
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© 2004, Smoky Mountain Woodworks.
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