Fall For Our Artists

Within an interior schema, art adds texture, color and depth, contributing personality to place and reflecting the character of clients. A crucial layer for Elisa, art spotlights the humanism inherent in designing a home, a humanism at the core of her design approach. As such, she populates the Twenty Two Home showroom with work that does more than decorate—each piece illuminates aspects of the human experience. In honor of the 40th Anniversary Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival—September 4 to 15—we celebrate a trio of artists who grace the retail floor with their insight and inspiration.

Owen Mortensen

With an eye for finding beauty amid the mundane, Utah’s own Owen Mortensen looks for slivers of Western history with fresh stories to tell: take, for instance, his tumbleweed chandeliers and his graphic homages to the Buffalo nickel. His mixed-media series, featuring bucking broncos or Aspen stands, layer texture and evoke subtle narratives. No matter the medium, Owen expresses a singular voice of Western modernity which he terms, organic minimalism. “I’m enamored by nature and her constancy for change,” he says.

Karen Bezuidenhout

Self-taught, Karen Bezuidenhout arrived at art later in life: Raised on a racehorse farm outside Cape Town, she grew up riding and appreciating animals. Now based in Santa Barbara, Karen’s innate connection to nature infuses every one of her canvases—truthful compositions at once quiet and profound. Consider “Woman, Dog, Moon,” currently on view in the showroom: the serene scene tells the reletable story of a woman and her canine companion, their bond suggested in gestural marks and an organic palette. Set against a burnt umber background, the woman sits in equipoise with her pet amid abstracted earth and sky, as if their connection is all that is needed to ground the swirling world. 

Brendan Murphy

Fearless in his positivity, Brendan Murphy celebrates self-reflection through his bold paintings on chrome. In his Miami studio, Brendan channels a street-art vibe in his orbiting compositions. The chrome itself provides a mirrored surface for his exploration of modern life, a journey he narrates in color, form, language and symbolism. Reveling in the interplay of beauty and energy, Brendan paints from a place of optimism and possibility. His dreams become those of his collectors, as writ large by his exuberant works in the showroom.

Beyond our showroom, be sure to check out the following hotspots and events:

Palates + Palettes Gallery Walk—September 6

Free and fun for all, this signature event finds local galleries pairing with local restaurants. Sample gourmet bites while browsing featured art.

Jackson Hole QuickDraw + Auction—September 14

Staged on our front stoop—Town Square—the QuickDraw challenges artists to complete a finished work in public in only 90 minutes. With paint still wet, the works are then sold in a lively auction. Be sure to behold the live artistry of one of our favorite local painters Kathryn Mapes Turner.