TYLER 性视界传媒 At in Downtown Tyler, East Texas artist Dorrie Ann Cobb invites the community to embrace beauty and reflection through her exhibit, 性视界传媒楾hings That Are Lovely,性视界传媒 a title inspired by Philippians 4:8.
性视界传媒淚 kind of base my artwork around that scripture because I want my work to be something where people come in and see it性视界传媒 and get their mind off of (negative) things and on to things that are good,性视界传媒 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淭here性视界传媒檚 so much negativity coming in at us from every angle sometimes and we just need that little breather every now and then.性视界传媒
Her work weaves together faith and nature, offering a space for visitors to connect with the simple moments in life.
Since November, Cobb性视界传媒檚 collection has drawn a steady flow of art enthusiasts to the gallery located on the downtown square.
性视界传媒淚 see the way the community interacts and the way that they are very active in the arts, the fine arts, the music, the dance, the entertainment,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淚 was like 性视界传媒業 need to be a part of that.性视界传媒櫺允咏绱綕
As an artist, Cobb seeks to transform the atmosphere around her, creating a serene and hopeful environment. In a world often filled with stress and anxiety, she hopes her work offers a moment of joy or personal reflection for those who view it.
Coming from the small town of Fairfield, Cobb felt the opportunity to be seen, as an artist, was limited.
性视界传媒淚 love my small town but there性视界传媒檚 really not much of an art scene going on there,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淚 felt like I needed to be somewhere where I could connect with other people, with other artists and have my art be seen.性视界传媒
While she finds inspiration through Jesus Christ, the love of art started with a TV program called 性视界传媒淭he Magic of Oil Painting性视界传媒 by German artist William Alexander.
Before long, Cobb was asking her mother for art supplies, eager to try her hand at painting more seriously. When Cobb first began painting, she didn性视界传媒檛 have a dedicated space inside, so she made use of the trampoline in her yard. The strong smell of oil paint made it difficult to work indoors, so she性视界传媒檇 take her supplies outside, painting on the trampoline to avoid the fumes.
性视界传媒淔rom there, I switched to acrylics, which dry quicker,性视界传媒 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淎crylics made it easier to paint inside the house since it wasn性视界传媒檛 as messy and didn性视界传媒檛 have that oil smell.性视界传媒
Cobb性视界传媒檚 path to art wasn性视界传媒檛 always clear; she once dreamed of a career in music, with aspirations of becoming a singer. Those dreams took her to Nashville for a while, where she hoped to make her mark in the music scene.
性视界传媒淚 was really interested in art in high school but after I graduated I pursued a music career,性视界传媒 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淚 tried to make it as a singer but got hired as an artist instead to do caricature art in the park, which was fun but性视界传媒 I wanted to be a singer.性视界传媒
She moved back to Texas to start a family and become a stay-at-home mom to four children.
性视界传媒淚 wanted to be with my children but性视界传媒 I wanted to contribute to the household,性视界传媒 Cobb said.
Cobb recalled while admiring a beautiful piece of art one day, commenting on how much she loved it, though the price was far out of reach.
性视界传媒淢y sister turned to me and said, 性视界传媒楧on性视界传媒檛 you remember? You can paint that. You can paint something,性视界传媒櫺允咏绱綑 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淎nd I thought, you know what? I can paint.性视界传媒
Taking that to heart, Cobb bought a canvas and started painting for her home. She later shared her work on Facebook, and before long, friends and family began asking her to paint custom pieces, marking the start of her artistic journey.
性视界传媒淚 didn性视界传媒檛 even know what to charge,性视界传媒 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淢y first three pieces I ever did, they were big pieces, and I was just so happy that somebody wanted them. I sold all three of them for $100 and性视界传媒 I think about that now and what a deal that woman got, and she still keeps them.性视界传媒
While she still strives to accomplish more, Cobb is happy getting her foot in the door.
性视界传媒淚t probably took me at least three or four years because you have to get established, people need to see work性视界传媒 maybe get some credit under your belt and do some showings,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淭he more exhibitions I性视界传媒檝e been in, the more I think 性视界传媒榃ow性视界传媒 they really like me!性视界传媒 So that性视界传媒檚 kind of where I place myself.性视界传媒
One of the challenges Cobb has faced is finding the right balance between valuing her work as an artist and making it affordable for those who admire it.
性视界传媒淥f course I want to make money but性视界传媒 I don性视界传媒檛 really want to break anybody性视界传媒檚 piggy bank,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淚 want people to be able to enjoy my art and for it to be affordable for them.性视界传媒
Much of Cobb性视界传媒檚 work has been displayed in prominent locations such as the R.W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport, as part of their Bloom exhibition for four years.
性视界传媒淭hey open up their gardens and people come in性视界传媒 it attracts more and more people every year,性视界传媒 Cobb said. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 so nice and really beautiful. It性视界传媒檚 an honor to be selected for four years.性视界传媒
Cobb says getting started at Gallery Main Street is a good opportunity for anyone looking to get their start.
性视界传媒淗ere in this area, they性视界传媒檙e always doing art things and so I would just say this is a good beginning, to be able to present here,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淚 feel like it性视界传媒檚 going to open doors and other opportunities for me to be more involved here.性视界传媒
Cobb is a member of the . She offers advice to aspiring artists by stressing the importance of taking that first step and connecting with others in the artistic community, especially through social media.
性视界传媒淛ust go for it,性视界传媒 she says. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 scary putting yourself out there because art is personal 性视界传媒 you性视界传媒檙e reflecting who you are in your work. But you性视界传媒檝e got to take that first step. You have to walk by faith, get your foot in the door, and make those connections that will help you grow.性视界传媒
Cobb性视界传媒檚 exhibition ends on Jan. 6. Gallery Main Street is located at 110 N College Avenue, Suite 105 in downtown Tyler. It is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
