The Faux Finish School is a studio I’ve always wanted to travel to and take a class. It is run by Martin Alan Hirsch and one of my fave artisans, Florida-based Krista Vind, has taught at the school for the last five years. A founding member of Sisters Hands, she’s currently teaching the RS-Crete and Rock-Kote course with co-instructor Cindy Everett, featuring finishes for two of the hottest surfaces for finishers today: countertops and floors. Of these products she says, “What is so cool about them is that they have expanded my business so much. In a difficult economy the more types of surfaces you can offer finishes for, the better your chances of making a sale or for upselling.” I thought we’d have a chat with Krista and see what she thinks is coming up in our industry, a bit about her classes and experiences.
Q: Where do you see our industry heading?
A: Right now there is a movement toward online classes, which is great for the industry professional, but I still believe in the hands-on approach to training, especially for beginner to intermediate students. There is nothing like having an instructor give you one-on-one attention, help your technique and give you advice on color and procedure. I know many people are branching out, offering faux finishes for non-traditional surfaces as well as incorporating faux finish materials into canvas art and other things such as patina mirrors. I have been doing quite a bit of those things myself.
Q: What are some of your favorite design styles?
A: I love retro, contemporary, modern and transitional. I have found that designers often don’t visualize faux finishing in some of those types of interiors so it has been very fun and challenging to create finishes that will work with those styles.
Some of the finishes taught in the workshops (Contemporary – top row, RS Crete – 2nd row)
Be sure to click on the pics for a zoom close-up
Q: What inventions make your job easier?
A: The Keurig coffee maker (best invention EVER), my hot tub, the cabinet drying rack from Marti Carroll, U-line plastic bags for lining my paint trays (thanks to Melanie Royals for that trick). I also love my new Dodge truck. After 23 years of driving my beloved Bronco, having a new open bed truck with A/C is a dream! I also really want to purchase a Pro Easy drying cabinet from Steve Wallis. I’m sure this will save me time and stress when making customer samples.
Q: What magazine(s) do you subscribe to?
A: Veranda, Coastal Living, Artisphere and The Faux Finisher.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling class you’ve ever taught?
A: I took an RS Class in Vero Beach when the product line was first invented. I knew immediately that I loved the products and that they had so much potential. I bought every single product and played. Before long, the majority of finishes in my portfolio were created using the RS line and consequently, those were the finishes I was selling. I worked for close to two years putting them to the wall when I though, ”Hey, I’ve got some cool new finishes and know a lot of things from my experiences that I could share”, so I contacted Martin Hirsch at The Faux Finish School and the rest is history. The products have changed over the years and the line expanded, but my enthusiasm hasn’t changed. I am really fulfilled to have been an innovator in classes featuring the RS Series. I still remember Martin saying to me after I taught my first RS Class how he had never been so impressed with another instructor. It was and still is an incredible compliment.
Q: Professionally, what do you still hope to accomplish?
A: I’m currently working on a line of contemporary and retro stencils as well as patenting and getting into production my decorative home invention. I’d love to one day do a really large historical restoration project, one where I can call in many talented artisans to work with me. I’m also planning to put together a book of finish recipes.
Can’t wait to see those stencils and the decorative invention your Ufauxrea Studio produces, Krista! Please note that in addition to teaching the RS Crete class, Krista teaches the RS Series as well as the 3-day Contemporary Finishes. Krista will also be co-teaching two classes at the upcoming IDAL convention as well as a modern finishes class on March 19th for the Southwest Florida IDAL Chapter. You can also catch her, as well as her other Sisters Hands co-horts, on the Artistically Speaking radio show on February 7th, 6:30 pm EST. I’ll be there…and thank you, Krista, for sharing your experiences and expertise!
That was a great informative interview. Thanks Regina, Krista was so helpful with her advice on Rock Kote last week. I wish she was closer.
Rima (Mimi)
Great interview, I think I dropped all the links into Evernote! Thanks Regina for putting out such great content. Krista, thanks for pushing the envelope and turning out your innovative finishes!
Dana Tucker
Thanks for the plug on Krista’s Artistically SPeaking interview this Sunday- we will be speaking with her Sistah’s as well….Should be a funtastic show!
These finishes are beautiful!!! Krista does gorgeous work. Would love to take one of her classes. The colors are rich and deep. It’s like jewelry. Thanks Regina for sharing!
Very inspirational…especially when I’ve been feeling in a creative slump! Would you ever teach at Oro Studio Denver??!!
Thanks Krista & Regina!
I had the pleasure of taking a class with Krista at IDAL. Besides getting wonderful finishes, she also taught me some new techniques. That inspiration opened up a whole new world for the way I put together finishes. Thank you
I’m so glad I was able to interview her, she’s a trailblazer!
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