Colored pencils are Debra Yaun's tool of choice — she's even the president of the Atlanta chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America — but many of her works evoke paintings or even photographs.

You can take a look at Yaun's works at "In the Gallery: Debra Yaun," an exhibit at the Hall County Library Main Branch through Jan. 31.

Marion Hunter, program coordinator for the Hall County Library, said the exhibit includes some of Yaun's meticulously detailed portraits and wildlife pieces, but three tapestries, new at the library, steal the show.

"Her tapestries look amazingly like real tapestries. They're beautiful," said Hunter of the works, which depict woodland and garden scenes.

"We just think it's remarkable what she does with colored pencil," she said.

"My Garden Tapestry," a richly detailed piece that includes sunflowers, cardinals and finches, along with vegetables and other flowers, focuses on a garden's bounty.

Another, "Memories of Dad's Yard Tapestry," showcases owls and squirrels, wildflowers, birds and nuts. The third features a pond teeming with koi and waterlilies.

Yaun, a Buford resident, became a full-time artist in 1990. She teaches classes, including many at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, has authored a dozen instructional books - including some that feature Gainesville residents - and also paints commissioned portraits.

"I've always drawn since I was a child. My mother was an artist, but she died when I was 11 so I didn't get much training from her. But it kind of runs in our family," Yaun said in a 2009 interview with The Times.

Yaun has won many awards for her work throughout her career, including several from the Georgia Art League and the CPSA.

Hunter decided to approach Yaun to place her work in the library after seeing the pieces in an exhibit.

"Our selection process is, first of all, we try to select people from the Hall County area. A lot of these people are connected to the members of the Quinlan Arts Center, and are very active (in the arts community)," Hunter said.

Organizers at the library noticed that Yaun had several ribbons under her belt from art competitions, and appreciated her work.

"What she does with pencils is just incredible, and we just wanted to display it," Hunter said.