A creative home

Creative Energy

Several “Bests” Under One Roof

By Julia Tellman

Three first place trophies found their way into one unassuming household north of Victor in this year’s Best of Teton Valley: guitarist and vocalist Lina Marquis was recognized with Best Musical Act and her wife Linda Swope was named Best Photographer as well as Best Fine Artist of 2021.

While Lina and Linda are relatively new to the Idaho side, they’ve been in the Tetons since the eighties, drawn from Maine and Texas, respectively, by the snow, the striking beauty, and the country-town feel of Jackson.

With Lina’s help, Linda ran Swope Mountain Photography and did a brisk business in weddings and portraits, while also sneaking in the time to capture the charismatic animals and stunning landscapes of the region. Lina could often be found onstage playing guitar and singing at Dornan’s or the Inn at Jackson Hole, performing whenever possible with women like Jenny Landgraf, Sage Hibberd, and even the young Miller sisters.

“My highest honor was

Photo by Julia Tellman

Linda Swope (left) and Lina Marquis were voted the Best of Teton Valley in three categories; Swope was named best photographer and best fine artist, while Marquis took best musical act.

Linda Swope manipulates multiple photos from her vast library to create new pieces.

getting to play at the Center for the Arts,” Lina remembered.

When the couple moved over the pass in 2016, they dove headfirst into the community. Linda immediately got involved with Teton Arts, helping manage the gallery in Driggs and doing outreach for the nonprofit, while Lina provided the score for art shows and events like the Souper Bowl, her earthy baritone guitar and dusky voice providing the perfect soundtrack for a gala. Retirement aside, Linda has done vibrant photography for local organizations and is an indispensible contributor to Teton Valley Magazine, although she confirms that she’s really and truly done with weddings.

Forces outside of her control have curtailed Lina’s playing for the past two years, but she recently returned to music, first with a ukelele, and now back on the instrument that makes her the happiest.

“I’m so thankful for my friends who have understood what a struggle it has been for me not to play,” she said. “I’m more comfortable in a crowd when I’m behind a guitar. I’m not a lyricist - the sound I make, I just do my own thing.”

Linda acknowledged that, with 40 years in the business, the title of Best Photographer didn’t feel misplaced. But it was the title of Best Fine Artist that surprised her, much in the same way that the art she has been making in recent years has surprised her.

Around the time she retired from professional photography, Linda started having visions, she said, and by digitally manipulating her enormous library of photos she was able to try and express what was in her mind: shimmering naturescapes; subtle creatures hiding in saturated aspen backdrops; flocks of sandhill cranes given an otherworldly sparkle.

“I don’t like altered consciousness,” Linda said. “I’m normally pragmatic. I’m a workaday photographer, I never would have called myself an artist. The art that’s coming out of me right now, I honestly don’t know where it’s coming from. It’s so much fun.”

While they appreciate their new titles, Linda and Lina couldn’t help but name a roster of other artists who could just as easily have claimed “Best of Teton Valley.”

“We’re living in a community of artistry here,” Linda said. “The per capita creativity - it’s even more than Jackson. We’re so incredibly happy here. Something about this community, the generosity, it must inspire us creatively, and it brings out the best energy.” n