COLLECTOR SPOTLIGHTS A LOCAL ARTIST AMID AN IMPRESSIVE NUMBER OF CLASSIC WORKS By Pat Carlini | Photos by Chris Bucher continued >
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LEFT: The main entrance to the Durham home was part of the original structure. BELOW: The sun-drenched living room has a great view of Geist Reservoir. OPPOSITE: Over the fireplace, a Renoir; to the left a piece by Haynes.
Eight years ago, when Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham purchased his 10,000-plus-square-foot home nestled into five acres along Geist Reservoir in Fortville, he had a plan to expand. He knew he needed more room inside; room for entertaining, room for his classic and exotic cars and room for his collection of fine art, but he loved the home and its sprawling lot. “I knew I’d have room to grow here,” Tim says. Tim collaborated with interior designer Shannon Connor and architect Bill Tabberson to begin plans for a generous new addition that would blend seamlessly with the original home. “The home nearly tripled in size by the time we were done,” says Connor. “Tim gained a double garage for his cars and a lot more wall space for his artwork.” Connor says Tim wanted black used predominately throughout the home. So, the trim was painted black on all levels of the home and she used a lot of chocolate brown accents for an overall classic, elegant look. “The somewhat neutral walls became a wonderful backdrop for some dramatic artwork,” says Connor. continued >
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“I knew I’d have ROOM TO GROW here.”
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A work by Tom Hale hangs in the garage.
A bright original by Penny Haynes hangs near...
It takes all kinds The two first added some artwork to the newly built garage. Several pieces by car artist Tom Hale now adorn the garage walls that surround a highly polished collection of cars parked on a black granite floor. For Durham, collecting cars is like collecting art, just in another form. Then it came time to focus on placing artwork inside the home. A Joan Miro was placed in the entryway, and a simple, yet, stately Renoir over the fireplace. Connor added a shot of red to a predominantly dark colored dining room with a work by CHA Guojun, called “Unseen World” and a light, colorful piece by Lois Main Templeton was placed in the kitchen.
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Durham, the founder of Obsidian Enterprises, an umbrella for several businesses, continued adding to his art collection. He picked up a few Picassos and put them in his 47th top floor office, on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. That left plenty of room at his home for his colorful, cartoonish Peter Max collection, which includes a four piece Rolling Stones collection and a six-piece pop art, portrait of Tim Durham, done by Peter Max. He also has a painting of Bettie Page, signed by Page, in the bar area and a few select pieces done by singer Frank Sinatra. “I’m a big fan of Sinatra,” says Tim. continued >
...a monochromatic work by Frank Sinatra.
The master bedroom is cloaked in golds and blacks.
For DURHAM, collecting cars is like COLLECTING ART, just in another form.
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“I’m a big fan of SINATRA.” Closer to home What is most interesting about Tim’s art collection is that he mixes these classic and contemporary pieces with the work of an unknown, local artist. Unknown to many art circles, but not unknown to Tim. The collection of oil paintings, in several sizes and colors that dot the walls throughout the home are done by one of Durham’s housekeepers, 52-year-old Penny Haynes. “I just started painting a few years ago,” says Haynes. “I picked up some brushes, canvas and paint at a yard sale and went home to do my first painting. I couldn’t believe how easily it came to me—I was just in awe.” Haynes says after she painted three or four pieces, she decided to take them to show Tim, “just to get his opinion.” “I knew she was onto something,” says Tim. “I could see she had talent and I wanted to support her.” “Which inspired me even more,” says Haynes. Tim then began framing some of her work, lighting and hanging them right next to the Renoirs and his Peter Max collection. Today more than a dozen of Haynes’ paintings grace the walls of Durham’s waterfront home. Just steps away from the sophistication of the Renoir over the fireplace, is one of Haynes’ oil paintings primarily done in deep red with a burst of gold. On an opposite wall, is another vibrant oil in shades of blue by Tom Gardner titled “Momentary Lapse of Reason.” continued >
TOP: Chocolates and blacks find their way into several aspects of the Durham decor. MIDDLE: A Tom Hale piece adorns the wall near the billiards table. BOTTOM: An original of Bettie Page hangs in the bar area. OPPOSITE: “Ol’ Blue Eyes” keeps poker players company.
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OPPOSITE: The bright colors of Lois Main Templeton’s “For Andrea Bocelli” reflect on the high-gloss kitchen surfaces. RIGHT: Two of Haynes’ earlier pieces of art hang in the guest room. BOTTOM: “Umbrella Man” by Peter Max.
“I’m inspired by COLOR and TEXTURE.”
As you head down the staircase to the lower level just past Umbrella Man by Peter Max, the largest painting done by Haynes comes into view. It’s a beautiful blend of reds, and golds, with a touch of black that results in a refreshing burst of color on the taupe colored, lower level wall. It hangs by itself, but, adjacent to a gray and black abstract by Frank Sinatra. “I like the way the two seem to play off of each other,” says Haynes. To keep from running out of wall space, Haynes hopes to replace some of her earlier paintings like the one in an upstairs guest bedroom, a small oil done in black and gold. “I think I paint with a lot more color now,” says Haynes. “I like what I’m doing now a lot better than my earlier work.” Tim says he likes them all, but agrees that her work has evolved a lot over the past couple of years. For now, Haynes says she wants to keep painting in her spare time. “I’m inspired by color and texture,” she says. And Tim will likely keep adding them to his collection. continued >
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To Tim, they are all pieces of art, MASTERPIECES of design and they have all been invited to share some SPECIAL SPACE in the Durham home. Side-by-side satisfaction Just as the Geist resident may park a 1952 Chevy, straight from the movie “Hoosiers,” next to a modern day Ferrari in his garage, he is just as comfortable hanging the work of Penny Haynes right alongside Renoir, Peter Max and Frank Sinatra. To Tim, they are all pieces of art, masterpieces of design and they have all been invited to share some special space in the Durham home.
ResouRces
Design: shannon connor, shannon connor Design, Inc.; Architect: Bill Tabberson, Harwood Tabberson Architects; Builder: Mercho, Wells & Masterson
TOP: “Specific Pacific Blues”byTom Gardner.MIDDLE: Haynes’ earlier work. BOTTOM: “Momentary Lapse of Reason” by Tom Gardner hangs in the dining room.
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