A.T. Inspired: Melinda Irby

Melinda Irby is one of five artists invited to share A.T. inspirations in our "Art of the Trail" show. As a child, Melinda grew up just miles from the A.T. in Bedford, Virginia, and her designs are inspired by hikes on the Trail. Melinda has section hiked all of the Trail in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. She's now a full-time artist, who still makes time to section hike and take her daughter on shorter hikes in the mountains. Here's a guest blog from Melinda:

The A.T. has opened my eyes up to all the small things in nature, especially the diversity of the Appalachian Mountains. Amazing summit views are definitely fantastic. But I've come to appreciate things like mosses, lichens, moths, butterflies, mushrooms and wildflowers—just as much as vistas. 
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I’m still section hiking my way north. I’ve hiked half of the trail from Georgia to Harper’s Ferry. I hope to be a 2000-miler within the next five years. The most inspiring place on the trail for me so far is the Roan Highlands, where the 360-degree views, rhododendron and Grey’s lilies are like a magical paradise. 

My latest A.T.-inspired art creation is a 14x14" colored-pencil drawing of Charlie’s Bunion, a picturesque stone outcropping along the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina. I worked on it for three months, and I’m happy to say I'll have it on display at the festival.

My tips for drawing and hiking include keeping a nature journal. Journal art is meant to be done in an hour or two on trail—not a perfect masterpiece. You can do a more detailed piece of art at home. Be sure to include the time, date and location of all things observed on trail in your journal, too. It has become a valuable tool for my memory and identifying wildflowers. 

Meet Melinda at the festival; she'll be in the "Art of the Trail" gallery space from 12:30–1:30 on June 8th.

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