CODY HIGH STYLE {2008}: Mortenson Studios
More from Guest Blogger, Diana Friend, as we continue the Cody High Style series…
Children’s stories * Bronze Sculpture * and Western Furniture
Diane Ross also introduced me to John and Pam Mortensen, steering me towards a creation across the exhibit hall that appeared to walk a fine-line between pure art and functional furniture. The “Teton Story Desk” is a “partner” desk framed with bronze casts of six Mule deer, set in the shadow of the Teton Range in Wyoming. The piece is part of their Rainbow Trail Collection of furniture, and Pam and John also wrote and illustrated a children’s book about the family of deer featured on the desk. Their work certain shows their collaboration and is successful in many mediums of literature, sculpture, furniture and accessories of western life.
John B. Mortenson ~ Wilson, Wyoming
“Teton Shadow Desk” ~$7200
This partner desk was inspired by a family of life-size bronze mule deer created for a setting in the shadow of the Teton range and a children’s book, written and illustrated by John and Pam Mortenson. Castings depict the mystical great gray owl and mule deer, Zuni guardian spirit fetishes,and the complete visual story of their journey with their kindred wildlife spirits.
“Teton Shadow Desk” ~$7200
This partner desk was inspired by a family of life-size bronze mule deer created for a setting in the shadow of the Teton range and a children’s book, written and illustrated by John and Pam Mortenson. Castings depict the mystical great gray owl and mule deer, Zuni guardian spirit fetishes,and the complete visual story of their journey with their kindred wildlife spirits.
Click HERE to read the rest of the story…
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The desk’s partition is lighted, and the bronze-castings of a Great Gray Owl and two Mule deer fill its arch. The apron of the desk is covered in Zuni fetishes as they journey across the Range. The leather-covered desktop is hand-stitched with more animal fetishes.
The Mortensen’s have been coming to the Western Design Conference/Cody High Style competition since its inception, and I couldn’t help but enjoy hearing the story about their work and the desk. John is a “bonanza-sized” cowboy dwarfing his petite wife in size and scale. But they share one-mind in their artistic endeavors, and are a past winner of Cody’s highest award, the Switchback Purchase Award, with multiple pieces that have added their work to the Buffalo Bill Historic Center’s permanent collection.
P/S ~ the six life-size deer are at a private residence in Jackson Hole (in the shadow of the Tetons). Thanks, John!!
