Artisans: Julie and Ladd McClain
Today, we leave Portland, OR and head to beautiful Colorado Springs, CO to speak with Julie and Ladd McClain — my first interview with a husband and wife team. You know what else is cool? They have both earned art degrees and like to share their expertise. For instance, Ladd has an article on Faux Bois (woodgraining) scheduled for the next Decorative Arts magazine and Julie runs the McClain Summer and Winter Art Camps in local Cheyenne Mountain. Their firm, McClain Interiors, serves the front range of Colorado which extends from Denver to Colorado Springs and their specialty is large commercial and residential projects. They both feel this industry is part science and part art. They remember this formula while walking the fine line of interpreting a client’s creative needs while completing the commission on time and on budget. “We have been drawn to larger and larger projects in the last couple years. Originally, it was pretty intimidating but after several big jobs the learning curve kicks in,” Ladd explains. Let’s see what good advice and recommendations we can learn from these experienced pros.
I know you’ve traveled to Italy to continue your education. What were some inspiring spaces that showcased decorative painting? Florence has some real gems for a decorative painter. The Pitti Palace is a monument to trompe l’oeil, quadraturismo (architectural illusions), faux stone and faux bois. However, it’s amazing how much great work we have here in the US that sometimes goes largely unnoticed. Here in our backyard in Colorado Springs, we have the Pioneers Museum which was built in 1903. Inside are beautiful massive columns of scagliola that resemble French marble. It was done so well it fools almost anyone who sees it. I guess that’s the mark of a genius, when your work is so convincing that nobody questions its authenticity.
Tell me about a cool product you’ve both come across lately. We enjoy working with American Clay, which is a new adaptation of an ancient material. It’s so versatile, it can be earthy and rough like adobe or burnished to a highly polished sheen like Venetian plaster. Best of all it has zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) so it has been very popular with green builders or designers who are seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification. It’s also pleasant to work with as a contractor because it’s safe, non-toxic and even smells pleasant.
What interior design or faux finishing books would you recommend for us to read? The classic for us has been Professional Painted Finishes by Ina Brousseau Marx, Allen Marx and Robert Marx. They are living legends who are still very active on the circuit and generous with their knowledge.
Before we go, would you have any sage words of wisdom for aspiring decorative artisans? Steal! Good ideas that is. Every master artisan in history has benefited from appropriating the ideas of past generations. Once you have some fundamentals established, then the creativity has a conduit in which to express itself. The Internet has allowed us to stay inspired on a daily basis since there are so many great artists out there.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about McClain Interiors – please be sure to visit their great website, which has a beautiful gallery, a video area and an upcoming blog. I think it showcases their firm’s work and process nicely. Thank you to both of them for allowing me a bit of their time — I’m also excited to have been clued into Pioneer Museum! For the next profile, we will travel to the Midwest to visit another husband and wife team that live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Have a great weekend!
I really enjoyed your post. I will have to come back again to read some more of them.
I’m glad you liked it! We do the artisan interviews intermittently throughout the year. :)
Very nice information. Thanks for this.