Artist Finds Expression in Bread Making and Painting

Hilde Friese is probably best known for the art of baking. After all she’s been in the business for 37 years. Freshly baked whole grain breads, rich, crumbly cookies, buttery pastry filled with fruit jams, rhubarb pie and prettily decorated cakes line the glass shelves at the Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery Café in Stone Mountain.

But Friese, who was born in Benediktbeuern Bavaria, has another talent she began exploring about 11 years ago — painting.  The business was stabilized and she began to feel it was okay for her to take some time for herself, Friese explained. “It was Hilde time,” she said.

Determined to have some time of her own, she began taking classes at the ART Station in Stone Mountain, Callanwolde and the Atlanta College of Art. “It was exhilarating — when I walked up the stairs for my first class dressed in my starched shirt and looked around at all the kids on campus.”

Her instructor, Kris Meadows taught her how to work in all mediums. “He was an excellent teacher. He taught students how to step back and make you really see. We worked only with white and the primary colors, yellow, blue and red. You really learn your palette that way.”

Friese paints a variety of subjects — nature, herself as young girl, scenes from old master paintings, a storm at sea and a storm over Atlanta. One of her favorite subjects is her granddaughter. “I love painting her.”

Customers admire and often try to buy copies of her paintings that line the walls of the restaurant. The originals hang in her apartment where she and her husband Claus display their collection. “Art is everywhere,” she said.

Artistic talent runs in the family. Friese’s grandfather and his brother drew in the evenings on cheap paper and homemade charcoal, said Friese. Another grand uncle made his living traveling all over Europe painting murals on ceilings and walls. A detail of one of his paintings graces the cover of one of the restaurant's menus.

These days, Friese favors dipping a pen into ink and practicing calligraphy.  As workshop chairman of Friends of the Alphabet Guild, she has arranged to have four out of the 10 certified master calligraphers, and one of those served as head calligrapher at the White House.  

To see her paintings and sample some of her culinary art, visit the Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery Café in Stone Mountain.

Art Shorts 

Bonnie and Clyde, The Two Person, Six Gun Musical, ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Historic Village Stone Mountain, April 27 through May 15. Rip-roaring musical tells the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Champion Barrow, the infamous duo that led a nationwide crime spree from 1932 until 1934. Written by Will Pomerantz and Andrew Phillip, the show features haunting melodies and colorful characters.

 at ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Historic Village Stone Mountain, April 25 noon to 1 p.m.  Preview a few scenes and have a discussion with the actors and production team of Bonnie & Clyde, The Two Person, Six Gun Musical. Tickets are $10 for lunch and performance and $5 for performance only.  

, Innocence, ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, through May 14. Artist H.C. Warner, former owner of Alcove Gallery in Avondale Estates, presents works based upon the “Innocence” of youth, producing imagery that connects with children as well as adults. The works are in acrylics and mixed media, as well as digital design. www.artstation.org.

Date Night Pottery, ART Station, trolley barn, 5384 Manor Dr. Stone Mountain, April 9, 16, 23.  Class gives students an introduction of pottery techniques in a fun social environment. Students try hand-building while enjoying a glass of wine, some cheese and a little music. $79 for two people. Class limited to 10 students.

 The Piano Man, Village Corner Bakery and German Restaurant, 6655 James B. Rivers Dr., Stone Mountain. Daniel Oliver plays April 9; Alias Smith and Jones play rock and roll April 23. May Dance April 30, with German dancers performing traditional dance.

About this column: Art is everywhere. Music, visual arts, drama, dance and the literary arts help us express our feelings about the world around us. Once a month we will highlight artists to enjoy in the Stone Mountain/Redan community.