WHEN TALENTED PROFESSIONALS TALK, WE LISTEN.
Admit it, you have an inquiring mind, and you want to know about the team designing your Jackson dream home. We understand so we decided to bring you conversations with the talented people designing, building, and outfitting your homes.
Jon Nasvik Concrete Art
Jon Nasvik, Founder
Jon Nasvik is a fine artist whose texturally rich landscapes and colorful abstracts are made from concrete. Over the years, Jon has been involved in innovating and installing notable commercial projects including Disney’s Epcot Resort in Florida, the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, and Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, respectively in Wyoming and Washington. For over 30 years, he’s immersed himself in a vast array of decorative concrete requests from local owners, architects, and designers, and now produces fine art that is light and airy and challenges the perceptions of the medium.
WHAT KINDS OF WORK DO YOU DO?
I use concrete to paint realistic landscapes and scenes from the northwestern lifestyle as well as abstracts.
WHAT GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS DO YOU SERVE?
Although I’ve done commercial work from coast to coast and beyond, much of my subject matter centers around life in the Wood River Valley.
DESCRIBE YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND.
I was a studio arts major at the University of Minnesota and have worked with many art mediums. I’ve been working with concrete since around 1966 when my older brother helped me get a part-time job on a crew he worked on. Much of my experience was focused on what I’d consider “decorative.” I went to art school, and it turns out concrete is well suited to fine art. Recently, I’ve been applying a lot of those fine art lessons I learned back in school. Fine art is my passion, and my work has evolved in that direction.
Almost all of my experience has been focused on what I’d consider “decorative.” I went to art school, and it turns out concrete is well suited to fine art.
Jon Nasvik
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR WORK?
The most rewarding thing about my work is using my fine arts background to change preconceived notions of a material that people typically think only has a utilitarian function. I enjoy the people I work with and challenging common perceptions of concrete. It’s an incredibly versatile medium. I can’t think of another building material that has so many different functional and aesthetic applications. I hope my work shows that it also is artful and atmospheric as a fine art medium.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A LOCAL?
I moved to the Wood River Valley in 1981. I travelled for work throughout that decade. In 1991, I set up Cliffhangers, my decorative concrete art business. One job led to another until word of mouth effectively filled my schedule and this became home. Now I am lucky to have my studio practice here.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOME?
I think a home should express those who live in it. Since I’m a creative personality, I actively express myself at home. The fine art I display is my own. It’s always been that way for me. I love art and enjoy seeing how others apply it. I visit museums and galleries and pay close attention to artwork when I’m visiting other people’s homes.
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I have a tendency to laugh—or at least chuckle—easily. Jokes, awkward moments, funny expressions, recalling silly experiences, ironic situations, disastrous outcomes, or painfully frustrating circumstances like getting stuck in traffic when I need to be somewhere on time are all things that will elicit a laugh or at least some type of amiable response depending on the situation. It’s easier to laugh and it mostly comes naturally to me. When I analyze it more, there is good therapy in keeping darker thoughts out with humor.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VACATION?
A great getaway is anywhere there isn’t ever-present technology. My wife and I walk the dogs almost daily, which gives us at least an hour or more of no interruptions. A vacation like the one I recently took in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Reserve in northern Minnesota offered five days of natural peace. It was a great opportunity to reset.
WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR WISHES?
Just one wish—save the planet.
FAVORITE SEASON?
Probably spring. It’s always amazing witnessing the rebirth of life.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CALLING SUN VALLEY HOME?
I enjoy living and working in this community. Everything is a short distance away, which builds connection. Speaking generally, people here have good energy and kind spirits. There have been great opportunities here for my work and I feel appreciated for it. I’m grateful to live in such an inspiring place.
