“Dear Friend and Neighbor”

By Markus Pierson -

2024

“A VERY WISE PERSON ONCE TOLD ME THAT THE BEST WAY TO LIVE A LIFE IS TO PERCEIVE IT AS BEING CAPABLE OF SETTING AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING PROFOUND.

I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO DO EXACTLY THIS. BY EMBRACING WANDERLUST WITH RUNAWAY ABANDON, I HAVE TRIED TO SET AN EXAMPLE THAT, IF YOU WANDER FAR ENOUGH FOR LONG ENOUGH, YOU WILL COME TO A POINT WHERE YOU FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL OUT-OF PLACE OR LONELY.

“I ALSO WANTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE THAT, BY OCCASIONALLY RETURNING TO PLACES WHERE YOU ONCE FELT LOST OR MISERABLE, YOU LET THE “OLD YOU” GET A GOOD LOOK AT THE “NEW YOU”, AND IN THE PROCESS, YOU SLOWLY RUN OUT OF PEOPLE YOU STILL NEED TO FORGIVE AND THINGS YOU STILL REGRET.

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH, DEAR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR, FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH.

P.S. ALWAYS REMEMBER
ROGER O. HEGBARTH.”

Inquiries

Markus Pierson

The Artist

The Coyote Series, inspired by the Joni Mitchell song Coyote, was created by Michigan native Markus Pierson in 1986. Markus is much more than just the creator; after 36 years he has become the muse and inspiration for thousands of dreamers, adventurers and romancers. And not necessarily in that order.

After a near-fatal bout with Crohn’s Disease, Markus dove in hard, painting billboards by day for a living and working into the night on his “Coyotes.” To the wall above his desk he taped these words, “No one works this hard and this smart – and has it come to nothing.” Within a year, he walked out of Artexpo in NYC with commitments from 110 art galleries across the country.

Today you could find Markus spending time with his wife Sher and their 4 dogs at the “Optimism Farm” in Maine. Painting, writing or a brisk workout on his motocross track, his days are happy and his “Cup of Gratitude” full.

Mitch Schwenke

The Proprietor

Owner, operator, bartender, cook and chief bottle washer, Mitch, the Viceroy of all the worlds dreamers, had been dreaming of setting up shop in this gorgeous ol’ mining town for several years. Those dreams and the bountiful journey to get here became reality in the fall of 2020. Chances are you’ll catch him in shorts, a ballcap and his Harley parked out front but don’t let that fool you. As a four-decade restaurateur by trade, he has just enough experience to be dangerous and pull this off … or pull the wool over your eyes. He also owns the Blue Coyote Supper Club in Ft. Myers, Fl. going on 21 years.

Alex Avedikian

The Utility Player

What happens when you toss 3 parts designer, one part shady bartender and a smidgeon of bathroom attendant in a gunny sack? Well that would be Alex … aka “Alvin.” When he’s not humping at his Graphic Design and Web firm in Minneapolis or shoeing some old horse on his farm in southern Minnesota, ya might find him torching a “Smokey” at the bar, tightening up the next piece of “Swag” or cursing the aptly named POS system at the studio. He doesn’t grace us with his presence nearly enough, but when he does you have two choices … either run for the hills or tighten up your laces for the wild ride. Let it go Baby!

Kyle and Sarah

Mixologists and Host Extraordinaires

Kyle and Sarah, hailing from complete opposite corners of the Universe, vastly different brain washings and a tad bit o’ contrast in lifetime throwdowns, offer up watered-down libations, a few white lies and plenty of verbal abuse. Naaah, just jivin! A pair of the towns best… twisting up country club pours, sneaky inside Telluride knowledge and smiles from ear to ear. Are ya here yet?