Meet The Artist

About Me

Hi, I'm Edna Hayes. Inspired by the beauty of central North Carolina, from the majestic mountains to the serene beaches, I create art that encourages others to find the joy and beauty in everyday moments—to 'Look For the Gold.' Living amidst such diverse landscapes, alongside the world's largest natural habitat zoo and a vibrant arts community rich in pottery and furniture traditions, provides endless inspiration. My love for art started in elementary school where I was often asked by my teachers to create artwork they needed for their classrooms. While art has always been a part of my life, I'm now thrilled to be pursuing it as a full-time passion, dedicated to making a positive impact. Learn more about my artistic journey below.  

 

                                

 

My Story 

 

"Look for the Gold!" 

"Look for the Gold" is more than just a phrase; it's a way of life. It's about recognizing the beauty and value in every experience, even the most challenging. It's about finding the light in the darkness. 

Learning to 'Look for the Gold'

In 2021, when my husband received a difficult health diagnosis, we were faced with a decision: succumb to despair or ‘look for the gold’. We chose the latter. We set our mission to look for the positive that could come from the situation we found ourselves in. We prayed and sang songs of praise to God. We also had friends and family that came alongside us in this journey which allowed us to see that even in the midst of shattering news, hope, joy and connection can still be found. The ‘Gold’ isn’t always obvious. It may be the unwavering support of family and friends, in how we grow as a person in our relationship with God, the strength we discover through our faith, or how we realize that we are totally dependent on our creator, something much more significant than ourselves. It’s about recognizing that, with God, even difficult experiences can shape us into something more beautiful and resilient.   

This journey of "Looking for the Gold" has profoundly influenced my art. We have learned to look for how God is working for good in our lives and how he doesn’t make mistakes. He takes the joyful and painful experiences and weaves them together to make a beautiful masterpiece that would not exist without the two being woven together. Like many life situations, art often begins in a "messy" or "ugly" stage, but through perseverance and vision, it evolves into something beautiful and meaningful.

Education

After a career change, I decided to fully embrace my lifelong passion for art. I attended the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program, which gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of inspiring others.  

My Process

My artwork is a reflection of my ‘Look for the Gold’ philosophy. I work with mixed media, collage, and oils, incorporating vibrant colors, rich textures, and, of course, gold—sometimes visible, sometimes subtly hidden, just like the "gold" in life. Music, another powerful source of joy and inspiration, and also one of the greatest forms of praise and worship, plays a key role in my work, symbolized by the music note collages I incorporate into many pieces. Music has played an instrumental role in my life by keeping me joyful and peaceful amid good and challenging situations. Therefore, the music notes in my artwork have a very personal and profound significance.  

My Goal

My art is an invitation to "Look for the Gold" alongside me. I hope that my work brings you joy, peace, and a renewed sense of hope, reminding you that even in the midst of life's complexities, beauty and value can always be found.