Tracking artwork found in Twin Peaks is a pastime I’ve enjoyed since launching Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018. One of the first pieces identified was artwork found in the Double R Diner. Today, I’m happy to add two more pieces to the prop identification gallery – Ethan Harper artwork from the Buckhorn hotel in South Dakota best seen in Parts 10 and 16 from Twin Peaks The Return.
WHAT ETHAN HARPER ARTWORK IS FOUND IN THE BUCKHORN HOTEL?
While updating the location article about the FBI surveillance room, I decided to search for the artwork hanging outside the door to room 1115. I knew that it was replaced for the show as a location photo from Oyster.com showed different artwork. Scenes were shot in downtown Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel. Most likely production designer Ruth De Jong was looking for a certain aesthetic for this hotel, which is why artwork may have been replaced.
But like other pieces in Twin Peaks, the artwork is seen in more than one location.
In Twin Peaks Part 10, there is a brief establishing shot in the hallway outside Gordon Cole’s room, 1123. Artwork is seen hanging above a table with two lamps.
Agent Tammy Preston is seen walking down that hall in front of the framed art.
The same piece will reappear in the hallway as Diane Evans walks toward the FBI surveillance room in Part 16.
You can see another shot of it as she turns the hall corner.
The was created by Ethan Harper and titled “Tranquil Meadow II.”
A companion piece appears appears just outside the door to room 1115.
It’s seen to the right of Diane as she waits to enter the room.
Harper titled that artwork “Tranquil Meadow I.” Both pieces were created for World Art Group based in Richmond, Virginia.
WHO IS ETHAN HARPER?
Originally from Lexington, Virginia, Ethan Harper moved to Charlottesville when he was a teenage. He moved to Richmond, Virginia around 1995 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. In a September 2015 interview with Fulcrum Gallery, he explained his career post graduation.
“My career as a professional artist started with the company I currently work for, World Art Group, and just celebrated my tenth anniversary,” said Harper. “Shortly after graduation, while trying to decide if I would attend graduate school, a good friend of mine told me about a place that she worked that hand colored antiques and that I should apply for some part time work. Back then the company was known as Old World Prints. Neither my friend nor I knew then how much the company would grow and foster my love for art. What started as part time employment has led to a very fulfilling career.”
While a junior at the university, he suffered a severe hand injury in which his nerves, tendons and artery were severed. He withdrew from school while he recovered and took up painting. He’s since regained his abilities as an artist despite having lost feeling in his hand. He firmly believes “art is in the mind of the artist and not in the hand.”
Growing up near the Appalachian Mountains influenced his landscape paintings.
“I love the rich purples and blues of the Blue Ridge Mountains combined with the reds and yellows of the changing autumn leaves,” continued Harper.
At the time of his interview, he was fond of Impressionism as “the loose painterly brush stokes give the work a sort of energy instead of being so static.” I’m thinking this may have been around the time he created “Tranquil Meadow I” and “Tranquil Meadow II.”
He still creates artwork today and can be found on Instagram at @ethanharperprints. He also has an Etsy shop where he does drawings of dogs and more.
Ethan’s artwork is part of a unique company that supplies thousands of pieces to businesses and individuals each month. World Art Group has a long history in Virginia that dates back to the 1950s.
PAUL VICTORIOUS
To get to the World Art Group, we have to start with a man with an incredible name – Paul Victorious.
Born in New York City on April 26, 1899, Paul Victorious was a noted authority on old prints and scientific books. He was educated at the Ethical Culture School and later pursued medical and scientific studies at Battle Creek, Michigan and St. Bartholomew’s College in London.
In 1933, he married Ada Fits of Windsor, Vermont. The couple had a book and print business in London until 1940. Once London was caught up in World War II, the couple moved back to the United States and settled in Charlottesville, Virginia.
For the next 20 years, Mr. Victorious acquired an incredible collection of rare books, old prints, maps and more. His business grew to the premiere printing and framing shop in the region. When his wife passed in 1968, he presented a rare group of prints of British lawyers and judges to the University of Virginia Law School.
Mr. Victorious passed on October 20, 1970 at the age of 71 following a long illness.
OLD WORLD PRINTS
His wholesale print business was carried on by Henry C. Braswell and his retail framing and print shop was operated by Richard Freeman.
Kathy and John Wurdeman purchased the business in 1990 and by 1997 were selling more than 3,000 hand-painted reproductions by local artists to retailers, galleries, designers, framing manufacturers and wholesalers. Sales rose from $100,000 in 1990 to more than $1 million in 1997.
Lonnie Lemco and Scott Elles purchased the company from the Wurdemans in November 2002. Sales continued skyrocketing to about $4 million generated in 2004. They hired more staff to keep up with demand and expand their business into the home decorating market.
WORLD ART GROUP
In 2006, Lemco and Elles changed the company’s name to World Art Group to reflect a transition from traditional to contemporary artwork. In a April 17, 2017 interview with the Richmond Times Dispatch, Lonnie Lemco explained his business.
“We design and create artwork for the home decor industry and produce it on paper or canvas.”
The company licenses images they create to clients for usage on products – from home decor to wall paper to floor coverings.
According to their website, they currently sell 650,000 prints a year and create 150 new pieces of artwork a week! Wow.
I wonder if there are other pieces that were sourced for Twin Peaks. Now I have a great source to cross reference for future prop identification adventures.
