Putting Raney Rogers’ story into words in one short article is like trying to put Niagara Falls into a water pitcher. There are so many aspects to her life and what she means to others that it’s just hard to describe without meeting her in person. Luckily for High Country readers, she is easy to find and fun to meet.
Her West Jefferson hub, The Acorn Gallery, is the place to start for someone who wants to discover the essence of Raney Rogers. Even before stepping into the gallery, one gets a feel for her personality. The brightly painted purple house with softly trickling waterfall, step-stone paths and comfy chairs under whispering pines all beckon visitors to come on through the gate.
Once inside the gallery, visitors feel transported to a calmer, happier place than perhaps they’ve been before. Her art is alive, full of sensation, and moves those who gaze upon it to another place. Whether it’s to a sparkling seascape, a sunset evening sky or otherworldly dimension, it promises a momentary reprieve from everyday travels.
And then, there’s gorgeous Raney!  Out she comes with a bright smile, hearty laugh and contagious spirit – bigger than life – with an effervescence all her own. She has the uncanny ability to put every visitor at ease – like an old friend – who just comes to “hang out” while enjoying her work. And if experiencing her paintings weren’t enough, there’s the chocolate!
The Acorn Gallery is also home to the Purple Chocolatier. You may think you have tasted chocolate before, but until you’ve tried Raney’s truffles, you haven’t experienced chocolate!  “Chocolate is a passion of mine, just like art,” she explains. “It’s wonderful!  It’s a Zen experience.”
Raney is passionate about more than just art and specialty truffles. She is passionate about life in general and every project she chooses to take on. She is an advocate for women and is involved in fundraising for the Appalachian Women’s Fund. She teaches art workshops and willingly shares her knowledge with others.  She is a positive force in her community in many ways, showering good energy everywhere she goes.  
In addition to teaching, she has become a best friend and encouager to fellow artists. “I’ve learned a lot that I’m eager to share,” she says, “things that are helpful to my students—positive thinking, perseverance, and tenacity, being some of them.”
Artists aren’t always considered to be the best of business people. Raney tries to take all she’s learned over the years and share that knowledge with others, hopefully to better the experience of those newer to the art world. Such things as marketing, how to make a living as an artist, and how to not get abused or taken advantage of, are all valuable lessons her students might take home with them along with the paints on their palettes.
Raney and her husband, Ken, have been married and living on a farm in Ashe County for more than 30 years. They started out farming together, until one day Ken criticized her hoeing. Although art had been a lifelong interest as well as her college major, she admits that day on the farm was really the defining moment in her life. “I threw down my hoe, went into the house and started painting,” she says with a laugh. And she’s been painting ever since. Her gallery, the first of several to appear in West Jefferson, has been open for seventeen years and is a favorite stop on Gallery Crawl nights. You never know what flamboyant costume she’ll be sporting or the variety of wine and chocolates she’ll be serving, but everyone has a good time and always comes back for more!
Raney’s art has taken her around the world, her art itself making its way to most every major country. She has also recently begun writing a book about her life, perhaps offering readers a glimpse of one of Ashe County’s treasures. Raney is a loyal wife, mother and friend. She is a huge life force for women, for artists, and for friends and neighbors in her community. The High Country just wouldn’t be the same—or nearly as fun—without her!