Bethany Travis never took an art class, but the Atlanta artist and owner of Penshaw Hill is well-known among designers for her hand-painted wallpaper, murals and popular wall panels.
Background: I grew up in northern rural Wisconsin, surrounded by nature. As a child, I drew a lot with my family and developed my own methods. I was told by others that despite any talent, you couldn't really make a living as an artist. Because of that I took various jobs — from ballroom dance instructor to working at a rodeo in Colorado — before landing my first painting job in 1996. I moved to Atlanta in 2000.
First design job: My dad, who owned a painting company, referred me to a client with a lovely home on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. She wanted custom decorative painting on her son's bed. She kept me painting for two years.
My company: I originally it called Aqua Blue Studio until I found out there was a graphic design house called that. In 2007, I came up with Penshaw Hill. The story behind that name is Pen (which is obvious) and Shaw, an Old English term for a wooded area, where I would work outside as much as possible. I also used to live on a hill.
Where you have seen my work: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine; in many private residences in Atlanta; the Inspiration House for the Cathedral Antiques show; the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Associate's Show House on four different occasions; the Capital City Club (where some painted panels hang); and Holland & Co., a showroom at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.
Big break: In 2013, I worked on two different projects, one with Barbara Heath, and another with Bryan Kirkland, for that year's ASO's decorators' show house.
Inspiration: The colors and cultures of different places. I've visited England, France, Italy and Japan, and I've been to 45 of the 50 states.
Other influences: Asian art, especially Japanese woodblock prints; illustrators, such as Rene Gruau, Arthur Rackham and Alphonse Mucha. I recently discovered artist Jose Parla.
Materials: Acrylics mostly, and gouache (an opaque water color paint).
Wallpaper is hot again. Why: I think it is due largely to technological advances and the ever-changing world of design. Photoshop, Illustrator and the printing capabilities now have taken paper to a new level.
Wallpaper vs. paint: Both have pros and cons. I like paper because I can create it off-site for anybody anywhere. Also, if you want to change the room, wallpaper can be removed and repurposed in other ways.
Best spaces for wallpaper: Anywhere! I think the old days of thinking of it in terms of only living rooms or dining rooms are past. Any space that needs some drama or interest is a great place for paper. I am waiting for someone who wants a big ceiling done. I think ceilings are underused from a decorative stand point.
Why wall panels: You can take panels with you, or use them elsewhere. You don't need a continuous wall to use them, either.
Most challenging job: I was on a ladder spanning a stairwell, which put me out into space about 30 feet above a marble floor. It was terrifying.
Design pet peeve: The idea that murals must be "whimsical." It is my mission to promote murals for the elegant and sophisticated element they can be.
Current obsession: Mid-century modern patterns with current colorways and using neutrals with punches of arbitrary color, such as teal with chartreuse, dusty lilac with muted gold, and metallic on neutral backgrounds.
New (or re-emerging) looks I like: Images, lines and patterns of Art Nouveau.
Looks (colors, patterns) I am glad to see go. The chevron pattern. Also, the mud brown color scheme.
Most unusual request: To paint three separate bedroom murals for triplets. They were 4 years old at the time, and the client said: "Can you paint what they'll look like as adults?" I dubbed it, "The Forensic Sketch mural." I would love to know how close I got.
Can't stop buying: Books. I always say it's a business expense, for reference material, but sometimes it's just because I like them.
Priceless possession: An oil painting by my mother. She passed away in 1998.
People might be surprised to know: I have no art on the walls, and for now, no wallpaper.
Latest project: A hand-painted mural on an antiqued silver background, inspired by Gracie wallpaper.
What's new: A hand-painted scenic mural on paper for Melanie Turner Interiors' office space in Peachtree Hills. Also a wallpaper job for Toronto-based Meredith Heron Design. It is to be installed in Rye, N.Y.
Find Penshaw Hill:
- Website: penshawhill.com
- Facebook: Penshaw Hill Papers
- Instagram: Penshaw Hill
About the Author
