Faux-cus on the Pros: Sisters Hands, Part Two

Thank you for coming to Part Two of our Faux-cus on the Pros interview with Sisters Hands.? If you haven’t yet read Part One, please click here.?

What is wonderful about Sisters Hands?is that they are planning to continue sharing their decorative painting knowledge.? Their website, recently launched, will soon feature great articles, recipes and a Q&A area.? A newsletter will also launch in the Fall. They will also have product reviews, fun stories and a few more surprises in mind for all.? How cool is that?!?? I’ll definitely be visiting often — I’m going to nominate myself as a long-lost cousin, LOL!

Here’s Part Two of our interview with the “sisters”…

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Professionally, who are some of your inspirations?

Patty Henning?says: Early in my career I was inspired by my first FE Instructor, Julie Robinson,?who opened my world to professional finishing products and just a hint of what could be created with them.? Where else do I find inspiration?? Other creative artists.? Being an avid web user, I have a natural tendency to seek resources there. With so many fellow artists on forums such as Murals Plus or Talk Faux, I find it a great source of inspiration to?see their work, be it a photo of a room just completed or a new finish in the creation phase.? Often, when I feel a connection with an artist’s style, I will check out their website or blog, bookmark it and revisit it in the future.? It’s a great way to get the creative juices flowing.? Professional businesses that offer new and exciting products, tools or design ideas,?such as Royal Design Studio, Modello Designs, and Faux by Kathy motivate me. Lastly, it’s not so much who as a what.?? I love looking through printed literature that focuses on home design and style.? My favorite author is Betty Lou Phillips.? Magazines and books are a great source of inspiration for me, and a great tool to help a client envision just what I can offer for their space.

What is the most positive/fulfilling project you have ever done??

Judy Norman?says: My most positive/fulfilling project I have ever done was working with a designer who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Denise and I had originally met at a local bible study and worked together for several years.? Her cancer had progressed and she had been extremely ill right before Thanksgiving two and one half years ago. I went to visit her when she came home from the hospital and I asked her if there was anything I could do for her thinking she would ask for meals, housecleaning, etc.. She said her 11 year old daughter wanted her room painted and would I have time to do that before Christmas.? I said we need to do something more than just paint and together Denise and I came up with a color scheme for her daughter. I pushed other work to later dates as I was convinced that she would not live?to see Christmas. I gathered the products and went to work painting neon green walls with large black bagged flowers and hot pink centers. I painted the ceiling fan hot pink and used the three colors to create some unusual patterns on the ceiling. Her daughter chose 3 designs from about 10 different samples I had made for her.? I also found a picture frame in hot pink and neon green so she could have a picture of her mom close by. It was such a bright room I imagined the little girl might having some trouble sleeping at night, but she was thrilled with how it turned out and said she sleeps well. Denise wanted to pay me for the room and I said absolutely not!? This is a gift to you and your daughter and it is my pleasure to do this for you. We visited quite a bit over the next 18 months?before Denise lost her battle with breast cancer. I can’t express how much joy she gave me in my life and this was such a small thing that I could do for her. Even though it isn’t a fancy high end finish, it is the most fulfilling project I have ever had.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have received?

Elaine Castronovo?says: I chose to answer this question with somewhat of a twist.? Some of the best advice I have received about my career came from outside of the industry, from individuals and sources that were unexpected but welcome nonetheless.? Sometimes if you take a moment to really listen to what people have to say, it can change your course or keep your head above water. Before attending my first professional class, I ran into a neighbor/friend at a local grocery store.? We stopped to talk briefly.? I don’t know that she will ever know how much her words of wisdom affected me then and how they still ring true.? When I told her how I was second guessing everything, business decisions and dealing with the guilt of leaving my family to further my education she simply said to me:?”Being a Mom and staying home with children, making them your focus, your world becomes very small.? Go away to your class – you will never regret it.” And oh how right she was.? That first class lead to many more and a whole new me, and a much bigger world.?

Another piece of advice came from a meeting that my husband had at work that was meant to pump up the employees for the benefit of the company.? The man speaking to the audience made a simple statement that still makes me stop in my tracks and I remind myself of this all the time. He asked the audience, “What is the definition of insanity?”?His reply:?”Doing the same thing over and over…and expecting different results.”? This small statement keeps me in check every time I want to complain about work or the results I am getting.? And another is a quote from Connie Reeves, a cowgirl: “Always saddle your own horse.? Always know what you are doing.? Go in the direction that you are headed.”? To me,?these are words to live by.? Although none of these came from professionals within the industry, they have all been the best advice that has encouraged me to keep steady, not be afraid to grow and know that I will always be learning – thoughout my career and in my life.

What is the best thing that has happened to the faux industry in the last five years?

Julie Young?says: To me, the best thing that has happened to the faux industry is two-fold. The first being all of the cool, fun textures – whether it is a smooth Venetian Plaster, Marmorino, Versiplast or PlasterTex. No more sponging or ragging a colorwash to mimic texture. Most of our clients do not want to attempt a textured finish so we are in high demand. The textured finishes are so hands-on that they sell themselves… whether they are metallic or matte in color. Embossing with stencils or patterns is another asset in design. Small thin trowels are great tools for application for folks with petite hands.

The second most exciting thing to happen to the faux industry is the networking and camaraderie. You can go to any class and meet friendly willing partners in the industry. You can network thru message boards.? You can go to SALI/IDAL?conventions to find like minded souls. The creativeness in our industry brings people together to collaborate and it is an awesome accomplishment.

Where do you see faux finishing heading in the future?

Renee Holder?says: There are many professionals in our industry, including our group, that are making it a mission to educate the public and I believe that people are listening.? I believe that the awareness of faux and decorative painting is currently more acute than in any other time in our recent history.? I also believe that the client is more tolerant of prices now that decorative painting has become more popular and the fact that they are more educated in the time that it takes to not only apply these finishes, but all of the work that goes into a project prior to application.? Not only do we now have designers, architects and builders using our skills, we also have other trades who refer us to their clients as well, such as plumbers, electricians, tile, granite and flooring installers.? Look in any major publication and you most likely will see a decorative paint finish displayed somewhere, if not on walls, then on backdrops in advertising.? It’s basically everywhere!

For the past several years I’ve repeatedly heard that faux is on it’s way out and wallpaper is making a big comeback.? Although I keep hearing this, I’ve yet to see it happen. What I have noticed is that the wallpaper manufacturers are now trying to mimic the finishes that we apply to walls everyday.? Don’t get me wrong, I know that wallpaper will always be around, but I don’t believe it is a competitive worry.? The consumer would much rather prefer a certain look without the seams showing and the labor entailed with hanging and removing wallpaper.? They also take into consideration the fact that they can have custom color in their finishes, which is limited in the wallpaper selections. I truly believe that the future for our industry is going to continue to grow and be a strong influence in residential and commercial settings.?????????(End)

Well, I had a tear in my eye reading Judy’s story — what a tremendous opportunity to do something wonderful for Denise’s daughter! I bet it meant the world to her. Elaine said something really important as well: so many accomplished women never take the time to do something for themselves…when in actuality, it may be just what their own soul needs the most.??Well, it’s been a pleasure for me to transcribe this interview?– I hope it’s been an enjoyable read for you!? They reinforce?how?rewarding it is to reach out to your fellow artisans and create a group filled with trust, respect and friendship.? In fact, the group as a whole reminds me of that famous quote: “Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.”??Please be sure to check out their individual sites as well as their Sisters Hands site…it looks to become a wonderful resource!? Have a great?day!