Maker Spotlight
Lonesome Pictopia
Meet the Team at Lonesome Pictopia
Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-led craft collective creating magical worlds with their original wallpaper, murals, tiles, and goods.
After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, LP founder Melanie Nead turned her love of plants and pattern into creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals and historically inspired wallcoverings.
We were fortunate enough to connect with the dynamic team to learn more about their artistry and the special transformation project they were commissioned for at The Westman.
Tell us about Lonesome Pictopia and your specialties.
Our ever-growing line includes handmade tile, verre églomisé mirrors, textiles, and more. We love to explore the boundaries between historic and contemporary design; between fine and applied art; between wallpaper and mural. Using historic methods, obsessive design, and an unparalleled team of brilliant collaborators, we strive to elevate the conversation around the decorative arts, to make information and practices accessible, and to keep historic craft alive.
Our work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Vogue Magazine, and the Business of Home podcast, among others.
How can folks experience your work at The Westman?
We were lucky to get to work on a long stretch of historic windows in The Westman’s lobby, so each guest who enters the hotel will get to experience our work there.
We formulated a custom paint glaze for the windows, then painted and gilded the reverse side of the glass. We gilded using aluminum leaf, which lends a magical flash of metallic shine to the room. The glaze pattern is an homage to the hills and mountains of Central Oregon, and the psychedelic layered patterning of banded agates.
What do you love most about Oregon?
We love Oregon’s amazing natural beauty, and the breathtaking diversity of ecosystems: high desert, alpine wilderness, alkali flats, clear mountain lakes, rainforest, volcanoes, ocean… There’s so much to explore! We love the food culture, the creativity, and how friendly the people are.
What are 2 of your favorite spots in Bend?
In town: A night out drinking great cocktails and enjoying build-your-own charcuterie boards at San Simón, a wonderful gem of a restaurant down a darling alleyway. Or walking through town along the Deschutes with a dirty chai from Looney Bean.
Nearby: Lava flows! We especially adore the area around Belknap Crater.
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