Pocahontas County High School sophomore Audrey Lore has a talent for capturing the essence of nature in her drawings. So much so that her drawings at the Mason Jar in Marlinton are flying off the shelves.
Lore and her mother, Erin, a talented painter, both have artwork at the store, and a little competition to see who is more popular.
“She’s beating me, bad,” Erin said. “It’s the deer. We can’t keep that one stocked up.”
Audrey learned to love art at a young age by watching her mom and joining her in classes.
“I went to Concord [University] for a couple of years in the graphic design program,” Erin said. “She has gone to a lot of classes with me. I’m sure she picked up a lot that way.”
Along with realistic drawings, Audrey also makes jewelry and learned how to quilt. In fifth grade, she made a wall hanging, under the tutelage of Sandy Irvine.
“We swapped lessons,” Erin said. “She [Sandy] wanted art lessons and Audrey wanted sewing lessons.”
The wall hanging and one of Audrey’s full quilts were on display at last year’s Huntersville Traditions Day celebration.
Audrey sees art as a hobby and doesn’t plan to pursue a degree in the field.
“It’s something fun,” she said. “I just like drawing things. Art classes ended [in school] so I’ll probably just do a couple drawings that I want to do. I’m not quite sure what, though.”
Audrey’s future plans are on the opposite end of the spectrum of careers. She plans to attend medical school and become a forensic pathologist.
“She reads medical encyclopedias for fun,” Erin said.
In the meantime, while she prepares for her future, Audrey will continue sharing her art with the county – at the Mason Jar, the Farmers Market and at the Pioneer Days Art Competition.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com