Page 12 - Harnett Life Fall 2020

The Barefoot Artist... By Crissy Neville

of Harnett County
Photos by Lindsey Michno
Photography

The Food Network may have the Barefoot Contessa, but Har- Gebhart has painted more than 1500 murals across the country
nett County’s got The Barefoot Artist. For the love of all things as an artistic crew member of the Trader Joe’s’ grocery store
food and art, there’s not a pair of shoes in sight. chain and commercial artist for Carolina Ale House franchise.
Locally, she is known for the Lillington town mural depicting
Though born in Rutherfordton, Tonia Anne Gebhart grew up in canoeists on the Cape Fear River, dogwoods in bloom, sights
Lillington and is a Harnett Central alum. The North Carolina from Raven Rock State Park and a hearty welcome to the town
artist, muralist and oil painter said her alias was born when, in and county seat. Her work in commercial art like the Lilling-
her first professional art job back in 2001, she took off her shoes ton municipal mural requires research into what each place is
to take a tabletop vantage point. Perched barefoot on the drop- known for — recognizing landmarks and attending to atmo-
clothed counter of a Lillington restaurant, Gebhart painted a sphere — in order to capture the hometown feel and historical
lifesize Italian landscape mural as her first paid gig. More com- significance. This is true, she said, no matter if she is working
fortable working in her bare feet, Gebhart also found the arts for a retailer, restaurant or the taxpaying residents of a town —
more in her comfort zone than the customer service day job she or for you, the consumer. Art reflects life, interest and passion.
was glad to leave behind. Within three months, a new career,
nickname and business were born. Today, nearly 20 years later, Of her timeline in the arts, she said, “I have always been an

Page 12 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2020