Featured at West + Main Highlands: Berkeley Hoerr

Join us for First Friday in Highlands Ft. Berkeley Hoerr

3442 W 32nd Ave
9.5.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Berkeley Hoerr

My paintings are a celebration of color and the profound beauty that exists within the everyday. I am inspired by the quiet details of my daily life–objects, textures, and fleeting moments. I live much of my life outdoors, where I notice and record moments where our presence leaves its mark on the landscape and how our environment shapes us in return.

Color is central to my practice. It allows me to turn these familiar moments into something extraordinary. I use bold hues and unexpected combinations to invite viewers into my world, where ordinary scenes are actually vivid expressions of connection, resilience, and constant change.

My work is a call to pause, to look closely, and to embrace the richness of our shared experiences. By magnifying everyday moments, I aim to inspire a deeper connection to the world around us and a renewed sense of wonder in the small details of our lives.

Learn more about Berkeley in our Q+A!

What are you working on right now?
Right now I am starting work on a series of large scale oil paintings based on photographs from my trip down the Grand Canyon this fall. I took photographs of different textures throughout the canyon along our 24 day rafting trip. I’m zooming in on each subject so much that although the paintings themselves are realistic they feel abstract because of the close-up scale.

What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I like to spend time outdoors. As much as I love trail running and mountain biking, I also enjoy moving slowly. Looking is my favorite thing to do. Observing small moments in nature feels monumental.

What is your dream project?
My dream project is a large-scale installation of my palette scrapes series. I would love to frame each palette scrape individually and hang them in a huge grid. I’ve done smaller-scale installations of them before but would love to see 60 or so of them hung together on one wall.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is mixing paint. I started oil painting when I was eight years old and would copy Old Masters' paintings. In doing so, I became an expert at matching colors and it's still one of my very favorite things to do. I love adding unexpected pigments to a big pile of paint, smushing it around with my palette knife, adjusting until I get just the right color.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in the outdoors and in the mundane routine of my life. I’m much more interested in painting subjects that are not already considered beautiful, but instead become beautiful through the act of painting them. I think inspiration only works up to a point. I am a much bigger believer in going to work everyday and working even when inspiration hasn’t “struck.” I think it is the process of painting that propels my ideas forward.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

I love Denver’s creative scene! I have a studio at Prism Workspaces, where I’m surrounded everyday by other artists working in a variety of media. I’m constantly amazing by the creativity and talent of other Denver artists.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I have ever received was from my college painting professor: “Don’t wait for inspiration, just show up and work everyday.” It’s a motto I continue to live by. 

Get in touch with Berkeley

Instagram: @berkeley.hoerr.art

Website: www.berkeleyhoerr.com

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Joy at joym@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Louisville: Jean Philippe Menetrier

Join us for First Friday in Louisville ft. Jean Philippe Menetrier

920 Main St
8.1.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Jean Philippe Menetrier

Jean Philippe (JP) Menetrier was born in Besançon; a small town in the Burgundy region of France. The introverted middle child of three boys, JP grew up on an active farm and was enchanted by nature and the outdoors from a young age. Once introduced to music and film in his teen years JP’s imagination started to incorporate counterculture and the arts. He DJ’d vinyl throughout his college and following years and maintains his hearty collection to this day.

After moving to the United States in 2007, JP began experimenting with black and white photography as well as found object sculpting. His artistic passions developed into abstract painting and drawing during early COVID isolation. His passion to create art is only surpassed by his love of his daughter (Vezia), and sneakers (Jordans).

You can visit JP and his other artworks currently hanging at Honey Hill Coffee Shop, the ART Hotel, and Satchel’s on 6th Restaurant.

Learn more about JP in our Q+A!

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working with a mix of acrylic and ink on heavy paper. I also have another station in the studio where I’m combining graphite with colored powder. I always keep sketchbooks and my iPad nearby so I can create wherever I go.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Close friends have reminded me to accept that my work won’t resonate with everyone—and that’s okay. It makes it all the more meaningful when someone truly connects with it.

What is your dream project?
My dream project would be something massive. When I visited the Rubell Museum in Miami, I saw a canvas as big as a warehouse wall—they had to assemble it inside the space. I was awestruck and thought, “One day, I’ll do that too.”

If you had a choice between two superpowers—being invisible or flying—which would you choose?
I’d prefer to fly. Ideally, I’d like to be a bird.

How did your business come to exist?
I work at Satchel’s on 6th restaurant, and for years I’ve had my artwork displayed on the walls there. Over time, I built a strong community of supporters, friends, and buyers—many of whom continue to follow and support my work through social media.

What are your thoughts on your city’s creative scene for artists, designers, makers, and small businesses?
I tend to be introverted and in my own creative bubble, so I haven’t always reached out as much as I could. But I’m working on that.

Where do you find inspiration?
It comes from a love of the process—creating something, playing with color and texture, and exploring new techniques. I try to let myself feel free to experiment without overthinking.

What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love being outdoors—biking, walking, and dipping my feet in the cold river in Golden (lol). I also enjoy reading, traveling, yoga, and meditation.

Get in touch with JP

Instagram: @jean_philippe_m

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Joy at joym@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Littleton: Cody Kuehl

Join us for Final Friday in Littleton, featuring Cody Kuehl

Frontiers

2590 W Main St
6.27.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Cody Kuehl

Cody Kuehl is a contemporary painter who features moment of impact images of the west. Born
in Colorado, Cody's formative youth was raising, training, and showing draft horses with his
family. Cody currently resides in Longmont Colorado. He is the board president of the A.R.
Mitchell Museum where he runs his gallery, Kuehl Fine Art.

“The myth and ethos of the West lives strong even today in American culture. The lone gunman
stands tall as an enduring symbol that people strive towards. The history that we try to live is a
double-edged knife that cuts both ways, however. These paintings strive to build up and
undercut, live into and criticize the american west as a force in our history that is both a powerful
story of American ideals and a fundamentally flawed American character study.” ~ Cody Kuehl

Learn more about Cody in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

I've built the art career over the course of almost a decade of small shows to group shows to solo exhibitions.  I've always had good people that helped to bring me up and give me new opportunities to show.I have a deep gratitude for everyone who has given me a chance over the years.  

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration for my brand of western art can be found everywhere from movies and TV, to comics and historical photos. Recently I have found inspiration at the A. R. Mitchell Museum of western art which among other things houses a very extensive collection of historical photos from the western world of southern Colorado.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

Haha my art teacher in high school told me I'd never get accepted into art college so I never applied.  Saved me a TON of money.  

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

My main Art community is in Trinidad, CO, and lately it has been like a powder keg of art.  We are doing so many new projects and shows down there.  We have four world class exhibitions at the museum this year and my gallery has 10 solo openings that we have fielded from artists.  I have met some many creative and talented artists through the process and would highly recommend a visit.  

What do you like to do outside of work?

My family raises and trains Draft horses, so whenever I can I am out driving the ponies on some sort of farm implement or taking care of them.  

What is your dream project? 

I am working on a couple dream projects right now, but the one that's the biggest is to make the A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad a world class destination for the arts.  

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

Definitely Flying.

What is your favorite part of your job? 
Creating art is a part of my lived experience and something that I do every day.  The creative process is like breathing to me.

Get in touch with Cody Kuehl

Email: kuehl.cody@gmail.com
Website: artofcodykuehl.com
Instagram: @artofcodykuehl

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Joy at joym@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main RiNo: Joe Murray

Join us for First Friday in RiNo, featuring Joe Murray

Static

2632 Blake St #102
6.6.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Joe Murray

In 2020, Murray started taking on art commissions in exchange for COVID relief fund donations, eventually starting his design business Auberon Design. He has hosted fundraisers for various causes including the Colorado Freedom Fund and The Lilith Fund. Creating works for over 75 musicians, both local and international, his work has often focused on growth, nature, and self-worth or the lack thereof. Currently, Murray works in public arts administration for Adams County, Colorado.

“While I often think of my work as a reflection of myself, I hope you see yourself reflected too. You have something to bring to this world and it is big, bright, and beautiful.” ~ Joe Murray

Learn more about Joe in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

In March of 2020 when things shut down, I started drawing portraits of friends and family in exchange for donations to COVID relief funds. After doing that for a while, I began dedicating all of my free time to illustration and connecting with other local artists and musicians. Over time, I reached a point where I was working with so many musicians on album art, posters, and other promotional materials, I was able to move my business, Auberon Design, into a full-time position.

What was the best day at work you've had in the past three months?

Recently, I've taken a break from making art full-time, but I've had the opportunity to create two pieces of cover art for my good friend Martîn Better Longo's band Fruta Brutal. Collaborating with musicians is where my passion lies, so creating these works with him has been wonderful.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from music, bright color, and in the vulnerability of others putting their own creative works into the world. Earlier in my career, I only drew other artists as a way of celebrating their work. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, and it's something I admire so much in others that it has inspired a lot of my work.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

"Mangia"

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

To be frank, it is challenging to be an artist or small businesses in Denver. In a city with rising costs of living and constant displacement, it is not an easy terrain. Art spaces are disappearing, like the recent closure of the Evans School artist studios. Denver has an immense amount of talent, from musicians to visual artists, but support for the arts and lack of protected art spaces has me fearful for the city's creative scene long term. If we can't support artists and foster the growth of young artists, the city's vibrance and diversity will suffer.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to cook, run, and read.

What is your dream project? 

I would love to create stage sets for live music. As I look ahead in my art career, I want to move away from illustration and painting into more 3D works. Designing sets for concerts would be a dream.

Get in touch with Joe Murray

Email: joe@auberondesign.com
Website: auberondesign.com
Instagram: @auberondesign

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Highlands Square: Lynn Mandziuk

Join us for First Friday in Highlands Square, featuring Lynn Mandziuk

The Pause In Between

3442 W 32nd Avenue
5.2.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Lynn Mandziuk

Lynn Suyeko Mandziuk (Lynnzos) is a multi-disciplinary creative with a background and two degrees in illustration. Her fine art pieces explore abstraction in the form of printmaking and sculpture, deconstructing ideas and visual concepts into melodic sequences.

Lynn is an experimental artist and explores 2D art, animation, sound design, projection mapping, electrical design, and other creative and scientific processes in her work. She utilizes synectic thinking to compare and contrast two seemingly opposing subject matters. Her themes often delve into the plight of humanity, the unconscious, solitude versus the collective, and autonomy.

Learn more about Lynn in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

I had an undergraduate degree in illustration and started pursuing fine art on the side.

What are you known for?

I am known for outdoor illustrations, abstract printmaking, sculptural light pieces, sound and frequency, and professor-ing.

What are you currently working on?

Right now, I am working on experimental pieces. I am trying to tie user experience, sound and animation, along with light sensors and projection mapping. 

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I like to Rock Climb, play music, learn and study, and travel.

What are your thoughts about your city’s creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers and/or small businesses?

Denver is a big small town, which is why it’s amazing for its creative community. Other cities may have more international commerce or mainstream venues, but Denver has a very tight-knit and unique community. We have a wonderful music scene, an awesome art scene, and great opportunities for collaboration. It’s an amazing place to live, and I love the access to the mountains and desert.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be creating a multimedia masterpiece combining everything I know.

Get in touch with Lynn Mandziuk

Email: lynnmandziuk@gmail.com
Website: https://lynnzos.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnzos

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!