Tony at a recent signing
Westfield, NC – Country Stores in North Carolina is an artist’s photographic journey to capture the essence of these vanishing iconic establishments for future generations. In Tony Craig’s (www.tonycraig.net)
Tony Craig grew up in North Carolina with the dream of becoming an artist for the Walt Disney Studio, a dream that he secured in 1990, when he was hired to work on “The Rescuers Down Under”. From then until last year, he served as executive producer and director on a variety of projects, from “The Lion King’s Timon and Pumbaa” and “House of Mouse”, to “Lilo and Stitch the series” and “The Emperor’s New School”. In 2000, “Mickey MouseWorks”, a series he co-created, won the Annie award for the best animated TV show.
His mind was never far from home, however, as he made a trip back to visit his home state every summer. Every summer he had his camera with him. “I began to miss the benefits of North Carolina more and more,” he says, “and when my trips became more frequent than three times a year, I began to think about how I could return to the area I loved so much, and still attempt to make a living.”
To that end, Tony has turned his camera and artistic abilities to capturing the rural images he comes across during his travels. “I began taking pictures in 1993, and as I watched more and more of these reminders of the past become a part of it, I started to paint and compile my photographs into something that others could enjoy as well. I’ll still maintain ties to the animation world, but my primary focus will be my paintings and future publications.”
Tony lives and works from the historic George’s Mill in Stokes County, which was converted in 2000 to be a living space. His ultimate goal would be to open his own gallery in Harkers Island, off the North Carolina coast. For now though, his book and artwork can be found at his website (www.tonycraig.net)
September 6 – The Todd General Store (http://toddgeneralstore.googlepages.com/
September 20 –The Rockford Store’s 13th Annual Sweet Potato Festival (www.rockfordgeneralstore.com)
October 11 - Murray’s Mill (http://www.catawbahistory.org/
October 18 – The Mast General Store (www.maststore.com)
October 25 – Priddy’s General Store (www.priddysgeneralstore.com)
December 6 – The Bob Timberlake Gallery (www.bobtimberlake.com)
December 7 – The Core Sound Waterfowl and Decoy Festival (www.coresound.com)
December 12 – David’s Frame Shoppe (evening reception, Albemarle (704) 983-4723)
December 13 – The Fresh House (http://www.oldschool.com/
Other events to be announced at (www.tonycraig.net)
Country Store in North Carolina April, 2008 162 pages (approx.), 10.5 x 8.5 inches, over 234 black and white and color tinted photographs. Hardbound $34.95 Mock Turtle Press, Mt. Clemens, Michigan (www.americanroadmagazine.com)
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
