November Issue 1999
Focus Gallery at Folk Art Center Presents Work Of Woodcarver And Silk Painter
On view at the Folk Art Center's Focus Gallery
in Asheville, NC, through Nov. 22 will be the work of two distinguished
members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Woodcarver David
Boone of Burnsville, NC, and silk painter Roberta Nosti of Blowing
Rock, NC, present some masterful selections from their latest
creative endeavors.
David Boone & 
Roberta Nosti
Award-winning woodcarver David Boone was born and raised in Pensacola, NC, a rural mountain community outside of Burnsville, where he enjoyed drawing and painting as a young boy. In 1984, Boone was urged to learn woodcarving by his brother-in-law, who had tried his hand at it himself. His first carving, depicting an owl, was made with a chain saw and one knife. Later that same year, as his skill and confidence grew, he began entering his pieces in woodcarving competitions. The many first place ribbons that followed inspired him to continue carving, and he has since won ribbons in hundreds of competitions throughout the US, including first place in the International Woodcarving Congress in Davenport, IA, in 1998.
Boone creates carving patterns drawn from his own ideas, which are distinct in their intricacy and animation. His carvings often depict people or humorous situations from his childhood in the mountains, or images of the pioneer, Daniel Boone, from whom he is directly descended. Patterns are cut on a bandsaw, and from the rough shape, he imagines all the details appearing as he removes wood by every possible means. His choice of wood varies, making most use of local walnut, basswood and buckeye.
In 1990, Boone became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and in 1997 he was chosen to be a member of the highly selective Caricature Carvers of America. His work has been exhibited in museums and libraries, featured in magazines, and most recently is being displayed at the National Woodcarving Museum, in Custer, SD.
Silk painter Roberta Nosti is an artist of varied disciplines, including weaving, pottery, drawing and clothing design. She received a degree in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida in 1973, and has since worked, taught and studied many media at schools such as Penland, and the Tampa Bay Art Center. Residing in Blowing Rock, NC, Nosti is involved with the High Country's art and craft community, teaching, demonstrating and exhibiting her work at local venues.
As a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild in fiber since 1983, Nosti's hand-painted silk clothing designs have developed into two-dimensional wall pieces with watercolor-like images. Her primary fascination with art has been through working with color, regardless of media, and her current work of painting on silk employs a remarkable range of color combinations bursting from the cloth. To make her silk paintings, Nosti begins with a photograph. She translates the image into a sketch before applying it to the fabric. The painting process begins with mixing fabric dyes, a time-consuming task in which she strives to match the exact colors found in the photograph. Before painting, the silk is stretched taut, and laid completely flat to prevent colors from running down the surface of the silk. " The process is akin to watercolor," says Nosti, who has developed her own silk painting techniques, "except with less control." Colors must be applied with confidence, because there is no erasing or painting over. The resulting image has a fresh, ethereal quality with a spontaneous grace that belies the hours of labor it requires.
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings or call the center at 828/298-7928.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
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