WHEN TALENTED PROFESSIONALS TALK, WE LISTEN.
Admit it, you have an inquiring mind, and you want to know about the team designing your Jackson Hole dream home. We understand the inclination. So we decided to bring you Shop Talk, conversations with the talented pros designing, building, outfitting your homes and those who offer options for work spaces outside your home.
Matt O’Donnell
Artist
Matt O’Donnell is an artist residing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Matt mixes nature with a touch of the modern in his work. His hand-painted psychedelic bison skulls bring a modern touch to the feel of the West. The bison skulls he paints are from color palettes he creates, and he can also be commissioned to paint a bison skull with a color palette of your choosing. Matt has been creating original artwork
for most of his life.
What is your professional background?
I own and operate a house painting business, Paint on Paint. The craftsmanship involved in painting high-end homes has helped give me skills that overlap into my art. Working with different products and paints lets me understand what works best with what is at hand. I have a high standard for my work on people’s homes, and I want my final product to look great. That also translates into the art I create. I want the piece to look great. And it’s fun to see some of the great art that my clients own.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by many things. Sometimes it’s a ripping rock song, other times it could be learning about an artist, or I could be fascinated by an old rusty piece of metal. The thing that does constantly inspire me the most is nature. A good hike in the mountains and woods gives me fuel for my soul. I love being surrounded by jagged rocks and towering trees.
Do you have favorite products you prefer or are known for?
I’m known for my psychedelic bison skulls. They are hand-painted American bison skulls. Each skull has its own personality depending on the color palette and the shape of the skull. I try to come up with a color palette that fits the expression of the skull. I also do customized colors and skulls. I enjoy the process of painting them. Sometimes the outcome surprises me.
What words do people use to describe your work?
People tend to say positive things. The phrases I hear most are, “Awesome” or, “Those are cool.” Followed by, “How did you do that?” Then their fingers gravitate towards the skull to touch it. I guess it’s an interactive piece of art by then.
What do you enjoy most about your line of work?
I enjoy the process of creating things, from the idea to the end result. I like to play with different paints and materials. As an artist, I find that trying one thing that fails can lead to something else that turns out well. The process of trying something new and different can be intimidating, but that’s also when good things happen.
Do you have a favorite sport?
I’m a skier at heart. I grew up ski racing in Oregon. I was drawn to the mountains of Wyoming in pursuit of skiing, and decided not to leave. Nothing can beat a full day of storm skiing. From the thrills of daredevil moments to the laughs with friends, skiing makes my body and soul feel alive.
“As an artist, I find that trying one thing that fails can lead to something else that turns out well. The process of trying something new and different can be intimidating, but that’s also when good things happen.”
–Matt O’Donnell, Artist
What places in the world do you find the most inspirational?
I find the mountains to be the most inspirational. Mother Nature has done a great job creating endless beauty. I enjoy playing in the mountains. And I also enjoy just sitting on a rock and staring at the view, whether it is a view of a valley or a big old White Pine. I find myself getting my best ideas when emerged
in nature.
What is your Favorite season?
Being a skier, I love the deep dark heart of winter—waking up to a fresh blanket of snow, knowing that the day ahead on the mountain will be a blast. But there would not be any winter without the other seasons. And as time goes on, I do enjoy the gifts of all the other seasons more.
Favorite trip you’ve ever taken?
My wife Kendra and I went to Japan a couple years ago. What a great country. I had fun every moment. The cities are great, and the countryside is beautiful. One of the highlights of the trip was when we visited the island of Noashima that is dedicated to art. Public art was everywhere, and the museums blew my mind.
Toby Schmidt
Creative Energies Solar Operations, Co-owner
Creative Energies Solar brings 20 years of experience to solar installations for homeowners, businesses, and organizations. Operating out of net zero energy offices, they are a Certified Benefit Corporation. For every residential solar array they install, they donate to solar energy grants. They strive to be a model of progressive business practices and a voice in local and regional renewable energy policy and education.
Creative Energies Solar was founded by two fellow NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructors, Scott Kane and Andy Tyson. Toby Schmidt joined Creative Energies Solar soon after the renewable energy company was founded, and he is now the Operations, Co-owner.
What services do you offer?
We install residential, commercial, solar as well as off-grid solar and we service existing projects. With 20 years of experience installing solar systems, we take pride in being solar technicians and craftspeople.
What geographic area do you serve?
We provide solar install-ations and service in Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho, and have offices in Lander, Wyoming; Victor, Idaho; and Salt Lake City, Utah. We also have designed and completed special projects in Alaska, Antarctica, and even Mt. Everest.
When did you know that you wanted to go into this field?
I spent many years working at NOLS. I was an instructor teaching folks hiking and climbing skills in very remote places in the world. I really enjoyed teaching and making a difference in people’s lives. Wanting not to travel as much and still find a fulfilling job, working in renewable energy fit the bill. Installing solar energy really feels like I’m making a difference in the world.
What inspires you?
Two things that inspire me business-wise are owning a company that is selling something that makes an environmental impact and running a business that puts higher values on team members over profits.
How do you see your field changing?
Storage of energy in residential systems will be a major market in the coming years, allowing homeowners to consume more of their own energy on-site. This type of local distributed energy is a much better model than the current model.
What project(s) are you most excited about right now?
We’ve recently partnered with the Honnold Foundation to install solar on low-income homes. For every residential solar array we install, we donate to the Honnold Foundation’s solar energy grants that provide opportunities for those who might not otherwise have access to this form of energy. Giving back is a big part of who we are. We’ve worked on one of the larger solar arrays in Wyoming that is connected to the University of Wyoming, and I’m proud that we support local causes like Energy Conservation Works in Jackson Hole too.
What tricks of the trade have you learned over the years that you’d be willing to share?
Solar has been around for many years now, but it amazes me how many folks are out to make a fast buck in this industry. The trick or advice is to do a bit of research before moving forward; this can be a big investment, and a bit of homework can help make your investment really work well.
“Solar has been around for many years now, but it amazes me how many folks are out to make a fast buck in this industry. The trick or advice is to do a bit of research before moving forward; this can be a big investment, and a bit of homework can help make your investment really work well.”
–Toby Schmidt, Creative Energies Solar
What do you enjoy most about your line of work?
I really enjoy hearing from our customers about their stories. We have a customer who is a sheep rancher in Wyoming who provides wool for the military and uses all Nepali herders, and we work with doctors at the University of Utah doing cancer research.
Do you have a favorite sport or recreational activity?
Mountain and road biking is my favorite. I enjoy the exercise but really enjoy how much more you can see in a small amount of time, and Jackson is a great place for both.
What’s on the top of your list as a great getaway?
I would really like to explore the Pacific Ocean by sailboat. There are amazing islands and cultures to explore. With NOLS I got to sail some of the Pacific, but it’s huge and there is so much more.
Favorite trip you’ve ever taken?
I spent a year on a sailboat with my family – my wife Natalie and my daughter Eva – exploring the Mediterranean, then crossing the Atlantic Ocean and exploring the Caribbean. Throughout the year we had opportunities for friends to visit and hop aboard to sail with us during parts of our journey.
