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September Cover: Spirit of Highlands
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2021/09 – September
Ansley Tolleson’s passion for the beauty of Highlands is evidenced by her designs appearing in homes around the world and, as a matter of fact, this magazine.
In 2020 The Laurel magazine had a makeover. The cover’s look and layout were revamped by talented graphic designer Ansley Tolleson.
While we honor her as this month’s cover artist, it’s really her graphic design contributions that we celebrate. Her masthead, text layout, font style, etc., are now the bones of every cover.
Ansley and her family live in Nashville, but their hearts belong to Highlands. The entire Tolleson family spent over 1,000 days in Highlands falling in love with the people, the scenery, the look and the feel of the town.
During that time Ansley sold her half of an environmental graphic design firm in Nashville. She’s now working for clients on The Plateau. She’s always on the lookout for artistic inspiration, poster subjects, and clients.
“I design with space in mind,” she says. She doesn’t see things flat. Her vision is always in the context of depth. Maybe that’s why she is drawn to the mountains.
Her poster idea came during her stay in Highlands. She noticed visitors had limited take-home visual reminders of their stay, so she photographed five of her favorite Plateau scenes: Dry Falls, Whiteside, Sunset Rock, The Bascom bridge, and Highlands Hiker’s Joe Webb cabin. She hired her go-to illustrator to stylize the vistas, using Nature’s colors in high contrast – greens and blues against mineral-infused grays, electric white, and energetic browns. She printed them, employing archival paper for long-lasting reproductions. Posters are available at Calders Coffee Cafe, The Bascom Gift Shop, Highland Hiker, and through local online supplier ThePlateau.co.
The Tollesons look forward to being permanent Highlands residents again someday, but in the meantime, Ansley is available for commissions, logo design, map design, event posters, and more.
Of course, the Spirit of Highlands Poster Series will continue to grow. Hang groupings of these icons of the Nantahala on your wall wherever you call home.
Ansley’s email is [email protected] and you can find her on Instagram: @SpiritofHighlandsTM.
