ARTful Style Spring 2026web by carriefellandco

ARTful style

four parts. one vision. this year.

HOW CREATIVITY SURVIVES, SCALES, AND STAYS RELEVANT

Hello,

Welcome to our New Year Issue, SPRING .

Embracing the season of renewal, we begin the first of a four-part series in Business of Art: “Four Parts. One Vision. This Year.” How Creativity Survives, Scales, and Stays Relevant, because staying relevant demands strategy as much as it does inspiration.

Join us on a journey into the Arizona desert to visit collectors Jon and Rae Shanahan, alongside their longtime designer and creative collaborator, Ingrid Moore. Together, they reveal a deeply collaborative approach to collecting—one that gives form to their shared vision and finds expression in the singular landscape of their home. Our cover star, BUCKAROO, stands as a compelling testament to the power of a simple silhouette. Rendered onto layered media, an image capable of summoning collective memory, where material, history, and emotion accrue meaning over time. Expanding on this depth, LAYERS OF COLLECTION: A Philosophy of Making, explores the art of accumulation, creation, and narrative, unveiling innovative new works by Carrie Fell.

These works debuted at our Annual Meet at the River, Unexplored Edges—an unforgettable day marked by surprise and spirit. Who could have predicted the Broncos’ charge toward the playoffs? Yet amid that unexpected triumph, we gathered an extraordinary assembly of guests, each dressed in their Western finest. Our heartfelt thanks go to all who joined us and helped make the evening so memorable. For those who could not attend, we offer a pictorial celebration of food, fellowship, and fine art—moments shared, stories ignited, and beauty experienced together.

As you turn these pages, we hope to spark inspiration. May every door you approach, whether in life, in work, or in imagination—open onto possibilities you had not yet imagined.

“Release, Renew, Reimagine…and as always, let’s begin with the ART.

Dana, a valued and inspiring colleague, has been called to new chapter. During her time with us, her vision and dedication left a lasting mark on our team and the work we do.

While we will miss her leadership and warmth, we are deeply grateful for all she has shared and contributed. We wish her continued growth, happiness, and fulfillment in all that lies ahead.

DESIGNLINE

VOLUME II, ISSUE 4

EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief CARRIE FELL

Creative Director & Design DANIELLE VONFELDT

Lifestyle Editor HEATHER CLANCY

Photographers DON EASTBURN BRIAN BIRLAUF EMILY TAKACS

LUME VISUALS - SCOTTSDALE

Industry Contributors DANIELLE VONFELDT, VonFeldt Design LLC, VonfeldtDesign.com

LAUREEN HOPKINS, STUDIO H by Laureen Hopkins, laureenhopkins.com

CHEF RICHARD BAILEY, Chef T5, www.TASTE5Catering.com

Printer

PUBLICATION PRINTERS CORP.

©Carrie Fell and Company, 2026. For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact inqury@carriefell.com

LAYERED COLLECTIVE:

Philosophy of Making

Layered collective is often understood simply as the act of assembling disparate materials into a single composition, paper, photographs, fabric, objects arranged into a visual whole.

Yet this deceptively simple process carries profound conceptual and artistic significance. Layered compositions is not merely about layering of materials; it is the layering of meaning, memory, and perspective. It is at once a method of creation and a mode of thought.

Layering collectives breaks traditional techniques allowing the process of juxtaposition by finding elements from different sources placing them together in ways that create new relationships. This act of combination transforms familiar fragments into something unfamiliar, inviting viewers to see connections that might otherwise go unnoticed.

This new exploration from Carrie is inherently dialogic, each element in quiet conversation with the viewer. The resulting works resist singular definition; they exist in the space between, shaped by the interaction of their parts. Assembled materials engage personal and collective memory, recontextualizing fragments to summon the past while giving rise to something entirely new.

Her work rests delicately at the edge of nostalgia, both in medium and method. Rendered in highly pigmented ink, her quintessential style comes alive through intense, luminous color, at once fragmented and fluid, creating a striking visual resonance. This latest collection emerges as a renewed language for storytelling and reflection.

More than an aesthetic strategy, this process reveals a philosophy of making, one that honors complexity, connection, and the transformative power of assembling fragments into meaning.

“For me, thesignificance of this process lies in beginning with a layered foundationcollectiverather than a blank white canvas, placing equal importance on how the work evolves. Each added element becomes an act of thought, inviting experimentation, discovery, and intention. Working at a smaller scale has felt grounding, allowing me to reconnect with a more heart-centeredintuitive,space.” - Carrie

CARRIE

Meet at the River: UNEXPLORED

THE TRUE REWARD IS NOT FOUND IN WHAT

Photos courtesy of Emily Takacs, Don Eastburn Associates LLC

UNEXPLORED EDGES

WHAT LIES AHEAD , BUT IN THE RIDE ITSELF.

A Collection Shaped by COLLABORATION

Collector Focus: Jon & Rae Shanahan

Our introduction to Carrie Fell’s work didn’t begin in a gallery, it began through collaboration. When we asked our interior designer, Ingrid Moore of The Design Loft, to reimagine our Scottsdale home, the goal was a refined modern western space. This assignment, included curating an art collection of large-format paintings that would narrate our vision. Carrie Fell’s work emerged as the perfect solution, bold, contemporary, and unmistakably magnetic.

What drew us in immediately was her fearless use of color and abstraction, along with her distinctive use of LED lighting. Her palette carries a sense of energy that feels alive, whether the paintings are lit or resting in natural light. The work shifts with its surroundings while maintaining a strong visual presence. It commands attention without overwhelming the space.

Our connection to Carrie’s work goes beyond how it looks. One piece in particular holds deep personal meaning. It features her iconic cowboy figure in a split composition, with one side layered in pulp-fiction magazine imagery. This painting greets us at the front door and was the first piece we acquired. It brings

joy every day and reminds us that art can be thoughtful, playful, and human all at once.

Our collection now includes nine works by Carrie Fell, six of which are installed together as a striking wall that anchors the home. While the grouping is powerful, the quintessential cowboy at the entry remains our favorite for its humor, nostalgia, and emotional pull.

Carrie’s paintings live alongside works by Duke Beardsley, Ben Steele, Michael Rozenvain, and Geoffrey Gersten, forming the foundation of our modern western narrative. Within that mix, her work provides a contemporary energy and a sense of confidence that elevates the entire collection.

“Art

is meant to be lived with, felt, enjoyed, and to lift you everytime you walk through the door.”

—Ray Shanahan

Artwork (above): No Reins,

Artwork (below): Leave 'Em Longing,

Although we’ve never met Carrie in person, we feel a strong connection to her. We once missed crossing paths in Aspen by just a day, which only added to the sense of intrigue, reinforced by stories shared through the gallery. We imagine that meeting her would feel familiar, as if the conversation has already been happening through the work.

For us, collecting art isn’t about investment—it’s about living with it. Our fourstory vertical with its expansive walls, gives the work room to breathe. Carrie Fell’s paintings don’t just enhance the space; they shape the mood and rhythm of our desert home. The scale is immersive, the imagery inviting, and the overall feeling is warm and assured.

For anyone starting their own collecting journey, our advice is simple: don’t be intimidated. Ask questions, admit what you don’t know, and trust the people who are willing to guide you. Art is meant to be lived with, felt, enjoyed, and to lift you every time you walk through the door.

Artwork (left): Cool Cowboys, Orginal Impressions, 36"X36"

Arizona Colt, Mixed Media with LED, 88"x55"

Mixed Media wtih LED, 70"x36"

ADesignerʼsPERSPECTIVE

Carrie Fell’s work first caught my attention because it is unmistakably her own. Bold and statement-making, yet never overwhelming, her pieces feel instantly at home in an interior. I could immediately envision them anchoring a room, bringing energy and personality while still allowing the space to breathe.

What resonates most with my design philosophy is the quiet mastery behind her work. Her compositions are beautifully balanced, her lines intentional, and her use of symmetry feels effortless rather than rigid. A grounded Western spirit runs through everything she creates, confident, authentic, and unapologetically bold. That sensibility mirrors how I approach interiors: spaces that feel soulful and rooted, yet elevated through thoughtful use of color, form, and negative space.

Emotionally, Carrie’s art offers far more than visual interest. Each piece carries a sense of story, bold on the surface, softened by an underlying tenderness. Her work sparks conversation and gives a room purpose. It doesn’t simply decorate a wall; it gives the space a narrative.

I specify her work often because it is truly singular. One piece that continues to stand out is her Original, Unique Color

Series “No Reins, Arizona Colt”, a bucking cowboy silhouette set against a custom 1/1 color background with a neon accent. It’s iconic, modern yet timeless, transforming a classic Western motif into something fresh and unforgettable. Wherever it’s placed, it becomes an instant focal point.

Because her work is so distinctive, I use it with intention. I allow her pieces to define the room while surrounding elements remain more restrained. That contrast creates harmony and keeps the space cohesive rather than crowded.

Art plays a central role in my process and is never an afterthought. Pieces like Carrie’s often guide the palette, flow, and emotional direction of a room, or become the final element that brings everything into alignment. Her work has a unique ability to shape atmosphere, playful yet elegant, bold yet calming.

One of the most memorable examples was a four-level home in Arizona featured in the ARTful Style Collector’s Focus this spring. Set within a luminous desert landscape, Carrie’s modern Western pieces unified every level, absorbing natural light and amplifying the home’s energy. The final reveal felt layered, warm, and magical.

“That’s why I continue to work with her. Carrie Fell has an unparalleled ability to transform a space. Her art brings depth, balance, and spirit into a room, and leaves it feeling complete.”

—Ingrid Moore

A Fresh Vision

Laureen Hopkins, Interior Designer, Rebrands STUDIO H with a Newly Designed Showroom

Laureen Hopkins, Designer

Caroline Menendez, Design Associate Bentley and Milly

Nestled in the heart of Edwards, Colorado, Interior Designer, Laureen Hopkins, is redefining the way interiors come to life. With the unveiling of her fresh new design space and showroom, STUDIO H. Hopkins has recently completed a full renovation and has created a destination that is both inspiring and approachable, a place where creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design converge. STUDIO H, is a space that reflects Laureen Hopkins signature aesthetic: a balance of elegance, comfort, and innovation.

Adding an exciting layer to this new chapter, Hopkins is championing Carrie Fell in her latest venture, providing a platform for Fell’s longtime desire to expand work in textiles to include art impressions and accessories within the showroom. Fell’s pieces ranging from fabrics to statement décor accents which bring warmth, texture, and a subtle narrative quality to the interiors, inviting exploration and discovery. Through this support, Hopkins is fostering the intersection of interior design and functional art, creating environments that feel both curated and deeply personal.

This partnership is more than a showcase; it’s a dialogue between two creative practices, offering visitors a chance to experience how thoughtful design and artful textiles interact in real space. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a home refresh, custom furnishings, or distinctive accessories, the Laureen Hopkins showroom, with accents of Carrie Fell’s work both in luxury art impressions and textiles offers a fresh perspective on what contemporary interior design can be.

The new space is not just a showroom, it is designed to be a social living canvas, a place where color, texture, and form come together to spark ideas, invite creativity, and celebrate the art of living beautifully.

by LA UREEN HOPKINS S TUDIO

interior design

Laureen Hopkins | Caroline Menendez

FOUR FORCES

On How Art Becomes

Valuable: Narrative, Scarcity, Validation, and Visibility

This article is one of a four part series exploring how the art world functions as a business and the core ingredients needed to remain relevant over time.

has always existed in tension between purity and commerce. On one hand, it is personal, emotional, and resistant to measurement.

On the other, it lives in markets, institutions, algorithms, and economies. To pretend art is not a business is romantic, but incomplete. To treat it only as a business is inefficient.

A painting in a studio is potential value…A painting discussed, shown, collected, and contextualized becomes realized value.

1. Narrative: The Story That Gives the Work Meaning

Narrative is not static; it is constantly renegotiated between artist, audience, and time.

Narrative is the foundation upon which all other forms of value are built. It answers the question: Why does this work matter? Art does not exist without an authorial frame. Who the artist is, culturally, historically, and personally, shapes how the work is read. Biography, identity, geography, education, and lived experience all inform interpretation. This does not mean art is reducible to identity, but identity often provides an entry point for meaning.

Narrative also emerges through consistency of ideas. Artists who return to core themes, memory, spirituality, evolution, discipline, build intellectual gravity over time. This coherence allows audiences to track evolution rather than isolated experiments. Without narrative, work risks becoming decorative or interchangeable. Coherence refers to how the work expresses a recognizable point of view; where individual pieces feel connected to a larger theme with an evolution that feels purposeful.

While technical skill, originality, and emotional resonance matter, they are rarely sufficient on their own to generate sustained cultural or economic value. Instead, art’s value is constructed through a framework of meaning, access, endorsement, and exposure. Four Forces consistently shape this process: narrative, scarcity, validation, and visibility. Together, they form the architecture through which art is perceived, priced, collected, and remembered. Understanding these Four Forces is essential for artists, collectors, institutions, and anyone navigating the business of art.

Horse Sense fresh thoughts...

Venturing beyond the familiar opens us to new horizons, revealing unexpected brilliance. The Fire Horse calls us to charge boldly into the unknown, to break free from the constraints of comfort, and to embrace our own fiery independence. Life invites growth and wisdom at every turn, offering opportunities to expand and evolve. An Indian proverb says, “Everything will be alright in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end.” At its core, this is about trust: trust in the sense of intuition, trust in the process, trust in the timing, trust in one another, trust in shared intention; toward the best possible outcome, even when it is not yet visible.

Like the Fire Horse, we honor our inner strength and willingness to act, even when the path is unexplored because growth seldom arises from comfort. This journey is one of evolution, and sometimes the path itself must be redefined - As we ride forward, let’s choose courage. With fire in our hearts and bravery as our guide, we charge into the unknown, grounded in trust, strengthened by experience, and knowing that with clarity of purpose, we are already closer to our passions than we realize.

—CARRIE FELL

“We are sparks of becoming, riding a horse of the blue sky where the map dissolves, led by instinct, steadied by faith, and shaped into something more luminous with every brave motion forward.”

2175 South Platte River Drive Denver, CO 80223

On front cover: THE DAILY DOUBLE by Carrie Fell Pigment Impression on Archival paper, 48" x 48"