PRESTONSBURG — The intense eyes ot the wolf stare out from the painting, a lone animal searching for a way to survive in the dark wilderness. This is one of the trademark images of Vicki Thompson, the creator of Lone Wolf Art of Appalachia, an exhibit currently on display at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

According to the description of Thompson’s work available at the gallery, “Vicki’s artwork reflects her natural ability and her passions for the Appalachian region and its culture. It does not matter if she is painting about the wildlife in the mountains on a piece of wood or on a saw blade, her work is both fresh and nostalgic.”

Thompson, originally from southern Ohio, currently lives in Salyersville and is a member of the Creative Art Club. She served as the vice president for four years at the Pike Art Guild in Ohio and a painting instructor for one year. She has been featured in numerous art shows and received four People’s Choice Awards for her work.

“My heart and soul are in these mountains,” Thompson said. “ I spend as much time as possible roaming the woods I love for ideas for my art. I try to use natural native material when I can to portray the beauty of eastern Kentucky. I’m at one with nature.”

Thompson heads to the hills in order to track animals, gather medicinal roots, and take photographs for ideas to use for her artwork which she paints on various material including coal, canvas, feathers, leaves, machetes and saws.

Along with being the featured artist in the Mountain Arts Center gallery for the month of April, Thompson also has artwork on display at David Appalachian Crafts, Prestonsburg Chamber of Commerce, Prestonsburg Tourism office and the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman.

The Mountain Arts Center’s Art Gallery exhibits works of local, regional and statewide artists as well as exhibitions featuring students who participate in the Arts Education Department’s art classes. Last year the gallery was visited by almost 100,000 people.