Ever since I was a child, Bob Timberlake's art has been a window through which I viewed the world. His canvases, rich with the vibrancy of everyday scenes, taught me to find beauty in the simplest of objects—a bucket of berries under the noon sun or the rustic charm of an old oyster can. These images became my measure of beauty, setting a high bar for what I considered visually appealing in my surroundings. It's one of the reasons why working on Foothills Digest has been such a rewarding journey, particularly because it brought me into contact with Timberlake himself. From our first meeting, a friendship quickly blossomed, grounded in mutual respect and a shared love for the art of storytelling, whether through words or through paint.

Bob Timberlake is not just an artist; he's a visionary whose work extends beyond the canvas to infuse warmth and character into homes across the state and beyond. Born and raised in North Carolina, Timberlake's deep connection to his roots is evident in every brushstroke, each piece a homage to the serene beauty and rich history of his homeland. His career, spanning several decades, has seen him evolve from a passionate young painter to a venerable master of his craft, his art hanging in thousands of houses, not just in our state but all across the country.

Equally impressive was his furniture line. Launched with the same meticulous attention to detail and love for the Carolinian landscape that marks his paintings, Timberlake's furniture line became the most successful in history.  Timberlake is now launching a new furniture line, and has  a new gallery opening at the Hickory Furniture Mart. His designs stand as a testament to his belief that functionality need not come at the expense of beauty. Each piece, from the sturdiest armoire to the most delicate end table, carries the Timberlake hallmark: a blend of traditional craftsmanship and timeless design, making it as much a piece of art as any of his paintings. -Carmen Eckard