Fine Tuned: The Cover

When Kristen Necessary was approached by the Blue Ridge Music Trails to design the cover for the Fine Tuned album, the artist/printmaker felt immediately inspired.

“I was really stuck on the idea of weaving, of the project weaving together the music and culture of Appalachia,” Necessary said. “All of these different styles of music and voices coming together from across the mountains.”

Owner of Starfangled Press in Brevard (Transylvania County), Necessary seamlessly combines traditional and contemporary elements of printmaking.

“One of our missions at Starfangled is to make art more of a part of everyday life,” Necessary said. “So, we focus on art that’s fine and affordable, and printmaking is one of those methods we chose to do.”

A proud member of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Necessary and Starfangled felt honored to be asked to come up with the album cover art for the “Fine Tuned” project, which brings together musicians from different genres and backgrounds in our region — as mentors and mentees, creators and collaborators.

“The [Blue Ridge National Heritage Area] have always been a supporter of my work,” Necessary said. “So, it meant a lot for them to visit my studio and collaborate on this album cover.”

Within Starfangled, its prized 1907 press is also used in countless projects. For Necessary, she’s able to use the sturdy antique to bring her ideas to life, many of which originate on her iPad.

“A lot of my artwork is influenced by place,” Necessary said. “And Appalachia has been a constant theme in my work for a long time.”

Now that the inaugural installment of the Fine Tuned project is now completed, and with the album rolling out across Western North Carolina, greater Southern Appalachia and beyond, Necessary is grateful to see her work displayed for all to embrace and enjoy.

“I’m thrilled about this project,” Necessary said. “I don’t do a lot of custom design, so this was a new adventure for me — I’m excited to hear the album when it comes out.”

Enjoy more of our Down the Road – Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Guide here.