ARTISTS 2021

Jenn Yonts

Meridith Mullins

Lena Marie Auxier

Liv Taylor

Jade Hart

Audrey Caudill

Kayla Freeman

Tiffany Marcum

Whitley Moore

Jenn Yonts

Landscape painter Pikeville, Ky

Website

Meridith Mullins

Born in the coal dusted mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Meridith was always scribbling in journals or sketching pictures of athletes or musicians as a child. She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t thinking of unusual ways to express her feelings. Standing over six feet tall, everyone always encouraged her to learn the piano when she was young. They said that her long fingers would make her a natural. However, theory lessons and constant practicing was not a passion then, and not one now.
Originality and a love for art came from both sides of her family. Her father, Will “Tootsie” Mullins, a retired attorney from Paintsville, is quite an accomplished artist. He has been featured in local media articles and had several showings. He has also had pieces on display and for sale at some galleries in New Orleans. Her Mother, Lynn is incredibly gifted with all types of sewing and clothing conceptions. She has always had a love for creating and altering garments, even making her own prom dress in high school.
In high school, Meridith fell in love with the lyrical magic of country music, as well as the mythical shenanigans of early blues players. That combination of cultural prevalence in her life led to 30 years of artistic projects that include songwriting, poetry, woodworking, painting, and sculpture.
Her paintings are primarily done in acrylic, but also use other mediums such as oil, charcoal, and chalk. Some pieces even implement crayons and pencil. The subjects are always musicians, some famous, some regular people.
The sculptures are a hand sculpted box relief made from polymer clay and then molded in silicone and cast in resin. They are hand painted and mounted on a mixed media background that relates to the subject.
**Artist’s fun facts:**
Meridith has a collection of over 200 belt buckles and 300 rare beer bottles.
She earned a BA in business administration from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
·She has two basset hounds named June Carter and Dottie West and two cats named Janis and Manny.
She was the owner of a construction company for 11 years.
She produced a 10 track album with all original songs.

Lena Auxier

I was raised in Magoffin County, Kentucky, a child of seven. Growing up I had a love for art from a very early age. I use to sit at the kitchen table and watch my mom draw and paint. I am self taught, and my main type of art is graphite pencil drawings. I started out painting at a young age and became more interested in pencil art a few years ago. I draw portraits, to homes to landscapes and do a lot of commissioned works. I also love working with color pencils. I have always believed God gave me this wonderful gift and I always thank Him.
I moved to Indiana around the age of 20 and lived there for 8 years before returning to Kentucky. I met my wonderful husband, Jim, in Prestonsburg and we have lived here ever since. When I lived in Indiana, I entered a county art show fair and won numerous awards for my paintings. I won Grand Champion, Champion and a few 1st place. That was my first contest.
Last year I illustrated a book for author and legendary hiker Sunny Eberheart “Nimblewill Nomad”. Its called “Where Less the Path is Worn” and its about his adventure trekking the entire Appalachian Trail. I did 25 pencil drawings for the book. This was my first book illustration. I am very proud of this.
I recently auctioned off an original drawing of the West Prestonsburg Bridge to help with flood victims in Floyd County. It raised $500, which I am very grateful for. That bought 25 gift cards of $20 each.
I’ve always been a shy girl and tried to stay out of the public eye but this past year I have been in numerous interviews, both tv and paper. I decided a year ago, no more hiding and I encourage all other artists like me to not listen to that voice telling you, you can’t do it or not to. My saying I tell everybody “everybody has a talent, you just have to find it.”

Liv Taylor

My Journey

I am an Army Veteran from Harlan KY. I started my artistic journey to recover from a TBI and PTSD. I needed to find a new perspective on how to think, process and interact with everyday situations. Art therapy was my solution. Art therapy was my way back to the land of the Living. Art Therapy was my journey to the creation of - LandofLiv-.

I see Art everywhere I look. I interpret all things with curiosity and observation. Before I paint anything, I ask the important questions, why am I painting this subject? I research techniques and contemplate on definition and meaning. I break down complex images into smaller interpretations that my brain can reproduce. Finally, I watch this whole process bring a painting to life.

Whether it is a landscape, local wildlife or a place in the city, every painting contains life and a universe of its own. Creating art in this way has given me a new life to live. I extend an open invitation for you to join me, anytime, in the -LandofLiv

Jade Hart

Jade is a 12 year old sketch artist who lives in Pikeville, Ky. and sketches her own original characters.

Audrey Caudill

My name is Audrey Caudill, I am 23 years old, I currently live in Pikeville, and art is my life. I recently graduated from the University of Pikeville as an art major and theatre minor. For as long as I can remember I’ve been creating. Music is my main go-to for inspiration. I use lyrics and melody to help me create a world in which I thrive. I am a surrealist at heart and I love to create art that allows me to escape from my own reality, dreaming with my eyes open. My goal is to inspire others to utilize the arts as a means of expression and show others that it is possible to dream with your eyes open no matter your medium. I hope to one day open my own tattoo shop and art gallery.

Kayla Freeman

Kayla Lynae Freeman was born March 20, 1990 with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congentia (AMC) which didn’t allow her joints and muscles to properly grow and develop before birth. Confined to a wheelchair, she has let nothing in life stop her. From being a member of the SCHS Marching Band throughout middle/high school, graduating BSCTC with her Associates degree while discovering a passion for art she didn’t know she had. Kayla now volunteers at Inez Elementary where she inspires students every day to never give up.

By using a pencil in her mouth, Kayla continues to grow and improve as an artist. She has been a part of numerous group art shows at the Mountain Art Center in Prestonsburg, KY and hopes to someday have her own solo show. Kayla currently resides in Inez, KY where she continues to create and improve her art and is getting married this October.

Tiffany Marcum

I have been a creative artist and writer since birth in Kentucky. The
Billie and Curtis Owens Award for Fiction Writing was a surprising win
in 2006. Later in 2010, An Essay win spurred efforts onward. Studying
Social Sciences, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. I am
taking part in the Brooklyn Art Library’s Sketchbook Project 2021.