Artful Interiors - Vail Daily July 3, 2010
Posted on Mon, Jul 05, 2010
When Frances Karsh’s client, Laurie Rounds, requested local art to hang in her new home in Breckenridge, Frances looked no further than Basalt-based artist, Sybill Hill. Rounds, whose family helped develop Breckendridge back in the early 60s, loves to give back to the community as does Hill, so this was a perfect match. After interviewing Rounds, Hill created a diptych of an angelic horse that would bring “new energy” to the brand new vacation home in the ski-in, ski-out Shock Hill development.
“When I’m designing a home, it’s important to select art that will be a reflection of the homeowner,” Karsh said. (Karsh is an Interior Designer for Slifer Designs). “Art is so personal, you have to be very selective and make sure it goes with the rest of the house. Knowing that the Rounds family wanted their home to be less formal, very approachable, yet sophisticated, I thought Hill’s art was perfect.”
Aptly titled “White Star” for the star in the horse’s eye, Hill’s light touch of oil, charcoal, and a combination of papers (rice and old maps) is topped with a surfboard resin and sparkles into the dining room area. “I’m a star gazer at night and I love to include stars in all of my horses’ eyes,” Hill shares. In fact, on the back of all of her paintings are a star, appear a heart and a dollar sign for prosperity. It’s Hill’s heart though, that encourages her to give back: with this painting, she donated part of the proceeds to Summit County’s Friends of Animals. As important as it is for Rounds to give back to the community by buying local art, it’s equally important to Hill to donate to a local non-profit after she sells a piece.
Hill also paints a series of horse and American flag paintings, using remnants from old flags given by the American Legion in Carbondale. She starts with a hand-made board and wood canvas that she makes with her father, who is also an artist, in his garage near Redstone. The flag is layered in with the rice and old map paper and preserved– “giving it a certain integrity,” Hill believes.
“The horse is a metaphor for beauty, freedom, mystical thoughts…and a timeless force of our own spirit,” states Hill. Influenced by Robert Rauschenberg, who also employed American flag imagery and layered different papers in his paintings, Hill molds the flag pieces subtly so that the horse is the primary subject. “The Freedom series combines stars, stripes and horses,” said Hill. “There are mystical qualities that I love about these paintings,” she continues.
Another local artist that Slifer Designs admires is landscape photographer George Schock. “We are currently featuring his work framed and matted in our various showroom vignettes to demonstrate to customers how Schock’s pieces look with furniture,” said Susan Ferrari, Vice President of Retail Operations. “The overall effect is stunning and an interesting juxtaposition.”
Schock’s crisp, beautiful mountain landscapes evoke a sense of endlessness and beckon one to reflect on the important things in life. Since Slifer Designs interiors are also known to be timeless and place an importance on creating gathering places for loved ones, we think Schock’s art paired with our furniture makes a good match.
Amy Lee Casey, Slifer Designs Project Manager and Interior Designer, selected “Among the Aspens” for a master bathroom in a Hummingbird condominium in Bachelor Gulch. “I wanted to create a bit of a window in the space, and the gold leaves in the photo look great with the stone in the bathroom,” Casey explains. “The scale of the photograph also fits the space above the soaking tub perfectly.” Schock describes this photograph, which was shot on McClure Pass between Redstone and Paonia, as a relaxing scene that makes time stand still: an apropos backdrop for a relaxing dip in a jetted tub. Casey should know how to create relaxing and beautiful rooms, as another of her homes was recently voted Colorado Best Vacation Homes by the American Society of Interior Designers.
“Our favorite Schock photo is ‘Gore Range’ – a panoramic winter scene shot above Blue Sky Basin looking directly at the craggy peaks of Vail’s famous mountain vista. Schock fondly remembers this “perfect bluebird powder day” skiing with friends. He doubts if he’s ever seen a bluer sky and such perfect light powder.
Both Schock’s and Hill’s art exemplify why so many second homeowners flock to Colorado’s mountains. It’s the majestic, mystical, stunning qualities outside that initiate the desire to keep coming back. When a designer can help create a similar special environment inside the home, the wonderful memories continue to be made. “Local art helps create the relaxed feeling of putting your feet up on the coffee table,” said Yvonne Jacobs, President of Slifer Designs. “We know we’ve done our job well when we hear back that they love their home.”