(Photo: “Summer Solitude,” oil on canvas, by North Routt County artist Richard Galusha hangs in the home of Debbie Dacus, who chose the work because of the rich blue colors of the lupines. “It gives us a happy, peaceful feeling every time we walk by,” she says. “Genuine Steamboat,” which begins on page 24, explores art created by local artists that is featured in local homes. Photo by Trey Mullen.)

Featured in Steamboat Magazine Home Edition 2024. 

Steamboat Springs, CO - Why are we drawn to certain pieces? Why do we choose the pieces we do? What does art add to our homes? This edition of Genuine Steamboat explores art created by local artists featured in local homes. 

“We knew we wanted pieces from local artists in our new home. “I had envisioned a large piece showcasing aspens for the space. I had thought maybe a large photo would be great but really wanted a painting. Since the space was so long, a triptych was going to be perfect. My designer, Betsy Coleman, knew Chula Beauregard and we went to her studio and looked at her work. I loved her impressionist style. She ended up doing this piece and two other commissioned pieces for our home.“ – Chris Newbern 

Frank and Colleen Russo fell in love with their Steamboat home because of the property and the neighborhood. The creek that roars in the spring and trickles in the fall creates the perfect environment for all sorts of wildlife to visit almost daily. The interior was designed by their daughter, Shannon Russo, who created the space to be a reflection of the nature outside. 

“When sourcing the art for the living room, our goal was to find a piece that was not just stunning, but something that the homeowners would get daily joy from,” Shannon explains. “We spent the day visiting local art galleries, and instantly fell in love with this moose painting by Joanne Orce.” 

It was a priority for the Russo family to source as much furniture, lighting, decor and art from local Steamboat Springs vendors as possible. “Now that the renovations and furnishings are complete, the moose painting is the crown jewel of this modern mountain home,” Shannon says, “and it is the piece that brings them the most joy.”

 In 2018, Olympian Deb Armstrong met artist Brian Bonebrake at Jace Romick’s downtown gallery. “They wanted to pursue skiing art and I offered imagery,” Deb says. She gave Brian a one-inch contact picture taken at the Junior Olympics when Deb was 15 years old and from that, he created the picture. 

“He nailed it,” Deb says. “The coloring, the feel, everything about it. I remember those mittens so well.” 

When Brian paid Deb a visit at her house, he found himself immersed in art. Plain white kitchen cabinet panels are painted with bright scenes and Brian wanted to contribute to it, so he painted a picture from Deb’s win in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. 

Deb’s collection of Brian’s work also includes a larger picture of her as a teenager, right before she made the U.S. Ski Team, and a refurbished chairlift from Alpental, where she grew up. 

“The original chairlift was named ‘Debbie’s Gold,’ after me and then they replaced it with Armstrong Express, which is now a quad,” Deb explains. “Brian did all the metal work and brought it back to life.” It now serves as a place to sit with coffee in the morning or wine in the evening while admiring a view of Mount Werner from the backyard. 

“I just love Brian’s work,” Deb says. “When I go into his studio, I’m so drawn to his style. The pieces from when I was a kid – I remember those days and I remember what I was wearing so it really is bridging the gap between my adulthood now and getting older to my childhood days and that’s pretty special.”

Jennifer Baker’s piece, “Quiet Beauty,” was one of the first pieces of art that Monica and Steve Bierschenk added to their newly-built home in 2021. “It was a commission,” Monica says. “We had an empty space above the fireplace and we knew we wanted one of her pieces right there.” 

The intent was to introduce color in a palette that would work well with the style and design of the home. 

“One of the things I really enjoy is hiking our mountains and through our forests and the feeling that you are the only one there,” Jennifer explains, regarding her inspiration. “It’s just so quiet and you’re surrounded by all this beauty. That’s how I felt when I was in their home. It was so quiet and peaceful, and the views were stunning.” 

“Quiet Beauty” is inscribed on the back, with a note that reads: “May you always appreciate the quiet beauty of your surroundings.”

 Perched on the side of the mountain, Susie and Chuck Mann’s home is filled with work by local artists. A Jennifer Baker commission sits in the stairwell; a Julie Anderson installation splashes across a blank wall. Former Steamboat artist Monroe Hodder’s striped abstract piece occupies the space above the bar, framing the dining area. Noah Wetzel (their personal friend) photographs are hung around the house. The art collection was created by interwoven connections: knowing artists socially, browsing through First Friday Artwalks, stopping to chat at Art in the Park. 

“It was just easy,” Chuck says. “We’re not art collectors but we love art. There are certain pieces that we value and that’s how it evolved. It’s been very organic how it happened.”