Sheri Hoeger:  The airbrush is an incredibly versatile tool that is capable of the softest shading, the finest line and beautiful displays of color. This is achieved by delivering a fine spray of paint to the intended surface.  I have always been fascinated with the combination of soft airbrushed shading and the wide variety of edges that are defined by using stencils and masks. A stencil is simply a sheet of holes that one paints through to make an image. A mask can be an edge or found object that is cut, torn or used in its entirety to create a shape.

The array of effects you can achieve with relative ease is one of the big advantages of using the airbrush. I enjoyed being able to keep a consistent look to this cow mural even though the vent was in the way.

To get started with airbrush you need a good tool and clamp holder, an air source and high quality paint, such as Golden Fluid Acrylics, which I use along with Golden Airbrush Medium for thinning to skim milk consistency. Also, try to set up a work area where you can leave your equipment set up and close at hand. Be cautious about using the cheapest airbrush you can find. A quality tool will set you up for success. There are many airbrushes on the market that are excellent and I find the Iwata Eclipse to be a workhorse of a tool and suited to almost everything I do. It is available in either siphon-feed style or gravity feed styles.

For most of my airbrushed stencil work, I layer several colors within each window starting with the lightest and working to the darkest. I generally alternate between warm and cool colors with each color covering less area than the color before it. This allows you to see the full range of hues that are created by that particular combination and there is also a muting effect that tones the colors, which makes them look natural. I load an airbrush for each color, which are attached to a manifold, which is attached to my compressor. I usually use no more than 4 colors for any given design such as the floral shown. As an example, a floral like the one shown here is airbrushed with four colors: yellow, green, red, blue. (The one exception being the robin’s egg blue, which could not be achieved with the 4 color palette used in the rest of the composition.) The different tones and values are achieved by the order and ratio of the colors being layered.

Objects can be painted to look cartoon-like or stylized, like the image below.

Realism can also be achieved depending on the colors used and level of development.

I also enjoy combining airbrushing with other techniques and materials. Here, I extended the faux stone fireplace to create an arch with a gritty plaster and stenciled stones made from torn tape. Once that was dry, I added color and shadows with airbrush. In the same project, the airbrushed stair rail led to an archway adorned with a striped drapery.

For the cherubs (above left), I used airbrush to delicately shade the skin tones, but brush painted the hair with Golden Proceed Slow Drying Acrylics to give it more texture. (Cherub Stencil by Jeff Raum) I also appreciate the ability to allow a natural surface to show through the paint, becoming part of the artwork when airbrushing on wood or stone (above right). Click on images to enlarge.

Another of my favorite techniques is to use natural foliage as masks when airbrushing trees and landscapes. This dining room mural was created using a variety of leaves, some large, some small. Even though it is a “negative print” your eye makes it into a positive when they are clustered together.

Even though they look monochromatic and sepia toned, I have used at least three colors to give the foliage more depth and interest.  I love sepia tones, and have several ways of rendering them. In the airbrushed Renaissance border shown here, all the shading is done with one color which provides the values and undertone. Then I lightly spray with soft color, giving the appearance not unlike a hand-tinted photograph.

Finally, sometimes airbrush is the answer to a technical problem. For this painted ode to a William Morris tapestry, I cut a stencil of just the darkest brown background areas, including a pencil-line thickness cartoon of the design, because airbrushing was the best way to transfer the pattern onto my textured base. From there. the tapestry could be hand painted.

I hope this article gives you an inkling of the striking appearance and versatility that is at your command when mastering the airbrush. Of course, this is only pertaining to using stencils, and many more uses are possible when using the airbrush freehand for clouds, finishes and fine art. The sky is the limit!

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Thank you, Sheri Hoeger for sharing your time and talent!  Please note that if you’d like more information, keep checking her workshops page because as Sheri says, “It can be very helpful to take a class in airbrushing basics or intermediate airbrushing, as there are some tips that will help you along and save a great deal of time.”  She also has videos and books she has created and/or participated in on her website page.  You can also find the company on Facebook via the fan page, Big Oak Arts.  I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post — love how it’s chock full of information.  Hope you are having an inspired week!

Please note that all stencils are from The Mad Stencilist line unless otherwise indicated.

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Susan Siefer: You could say I am returning to my roots. I started out as a fiber artist, fabric designer and painter. I was then hired as a store designer by a large retail furniture company in the Boston area. I painted walls at a time when decorative painting (well…faux painting) was just becoming popular.  We had a team going from store to store creating beautiful walls and vignettes. After about 15 years, and many, many large walls later, it was time to go out on my own and I started MadPatter Production. That was in 2002, the year my first granddaughter was born. I have been lucky to have some great clients that have  inspired and encouraged me to create fabulous walls, ceilings and floors.

Image from Modello by Design, Volume 2

Working with designers and clients, it seemed there was a disconnect between artful walls and art on the walls. I am fascinated by the relationship between Architecture, Interior Design and Art. With a little understanding of all three, I  have created canvas panels using Modello Designs, leafs, foils, plasters and glazes to compliment some of the wall finishes. They were applied with hot wax on the back…much easier than wallpaper paste…and they were framed out with frames and moldings from Beaux-Artes.

Frames and moldings from Beaux-Artes showcase panel artwork.

Running has been a constant for all of my adult life and I often get my best ideas and clearness of thought when hitting the roads. One day last spring was no exception: I thought “Why not implement this same concept on a small scale that could be interchangeable art?”. I’ve always liked the idea of multiples and the idea of changing a throw pillow, a lamp or any decorative accessory. Thus, Change of View© canvas were created.

Change of View© Studio

I use the products I love…Venetian plaster, leaf, foils, metallic plasters, stencils from Royal Design Studio and Cutting Edge, among others, and apply onto the flat canvas.  I have them in my Etsy store and they are carried at the boutique Soirée in my town of Andover, MA…

Painted furniture and artwork featured in the Soirée boutique.

…and, of course, in some of my client’s homes.

I chronicle the story of the process on my blog, Change of View (at the Studio). When people start playing with the pieces, they really have a good time mixing and matching. I am working with a marketing person that has been a great help. It is a really interesting process.

My wonderful clients and designers do keep me in the game with some interesting and fun projects and it pays the bills. I have found an amazing company to help with implementing my finish designs in a couple of larger commercial commissions that recently have come through. I am also excited about a collaboration with my good friend and incredible designer and color consultant Linda Holt of New Light Redesign. (Check out her amazing blog).  We are absolutely in love with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and have become paint groupies.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Dressers

We have spent the summer and fall painting repurposed pieces of furniture that we find, pick, buy and beg. The name of our business is Chalk It Up!  and we will soon have a Facebook page and site. We are rather yin and yang, and bring our own different and unique talents to the table (literally!). I am excited to be taking an ASCP workshop with Barb Skivington next month. 

Showhouse mudroom we did together to highlight paintings and furniture.

I am also moving into a new workroom space with other artists and designers in the beautiful new Mill District just north of Boston. There is a common space I will be using for workshops and seminars on paint and design. I was fortunate to see the Alexander McQueen show at the Metropolitan Museum in New York last summer and the beauty of his fabrics and materials got me thinking about fabric design again, so who knows? Maybe that’s also part of the future big picture. Thanks to Regina, I have been inspired to enter the social media foray and am muddling through as fast as I can! Finding a community of like-minded creatives, I know we will get through these challenging times together and figure out our own vision for the future.

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Thank you, Susan! It’s great seeing many artists have found ways to supplement their lives with their artistic talents and collaborations. I know our company did something similar when we branched into alternate surfaces. It has made all the difference; I’m sure it will for Susan! I hope today’s post has inspired you to take a hold of those ideas that pop up in your mind begging to be fulfilled. Have a wonderful day!

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We had a fantastic Giveaway by IdeaPaint during our recent Deets post on the product line.  Readers were asked to comment on the post about the materials and their creative plans for it.  One Reader was picked via Random to receive their own complimentary HOME kit to work their magic. Without further ado, the Winner is…

Based on number of eligible entries. Winning entry generated by Random.org

Kass Wilson!

Atlanta-based Kass Wilson started her journey into decorative finishes in 1992 with the launch of her company, Wallstreat Studio. Inspired by a passion for nature and a flair for the unconventional, she combines multiple mediums and techniques to offer her clients over 300 finish techniques to choose from.  In 2006, Kass published a book, Creative Finishes, where she shares the secrets to creating a few chosen artistic techniques. She also has a wonderful blog, Design Visions, where she chronicles many of her beautiful commissions. Please do visit her sites or her Wallstreat Studio Facebook page. Congratulations, Kass — do keep us posted on your IdeaPaint project!

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I do want to say “Thank You!” to all who left a wonderful comment on the post and also to Jeff Avallon and Brenna Fitzgerald of IdeaPaint for facilitating the wonderful Giveaway.  There will be more opportunities to win products and other great giveaways so be on the lookout — have a wonderful day!

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What It Is: IdeaPaint is a waterborne paint product that turns virtually anything you can paint into a dry-erase surface.  It can be applied to any smooth surface and works with all brands of dry-erase markers.  There are two product lines: CRE-8 is for larger installations and comes in eight (8) pre-mixed colors and HOME is for smaller projects.  The products help keep millions of worn out and unwanted whiteboards and blackboards out of landfills each year. They do suggest using a primer prior to painting – they have their own as well as a list of suggestions.  They also have a solvent-based PRO line in 5 colors for maximum durability in commercial settings.

What It Does: The high-quality paint can be used for interior applications and does not crack, peel or yellow. It comes with a 10-year guarantee.  Your handiwork can be erased easily and there are no seams. Their site has a great FAQ area.

The paints are great for artists, designers, students, teachers, parents and children.  You can use the paints to “transform a child’s bedroom or playroom into a place to explore and express their creativity” or use them in commercial offices to provide a space to keep track of appointments, lists and ideas.  It’s great for use in conference rooms and even for a family at home to keep up with each other.

CRE-8 Colors

The CRE-8 colors come in kits covering 50 square feet and are GreenGuard certified.

Where To Get It: The paints and cool related products are available for online purchase and they also have international distributors.  The kits vary from $29.99 to $199.50 and IdeaPaint advises that the products cover in one coat.

Children’s Centers (this one is Little Sprouts)

Fun Artistry (click the pics to enlarge)

Extras: IdeaPaint has a How-To area on their site so you can see the process with both videos and downloadable sheets.  They also have a blog where they post about projects and contests and a great YouTube channel with cool videos.  You can also find the company on Facebook and Twitter.

Surfaces include entire walls, table tops, columns and even doors!

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I love helping to spread the word on wonderful products such as this one.  Now obviously, you can buy dry-erase boards anywhere but I think that using IdeaPaint in a client’s environment (or your own) can make for inspired ideas since you can customize the use of it!

G  I  V  E  A  W  A  Y

One lucky Reader will receive a 20 square foot kit of IdeaPaint HOME, ideal for small and medium-sized surfaces!  It’s valued at $74.98 and you can use the kit to create message boards on a wall, tabletop, door — even the fridge!  For your chance to win, please leave a comment on this post letting us know what you think of IdeaPaint and your creative plans for the product — you know we all love to read inspired ideas!  The Giveaway is open to everyone and one Winner will be chosen at random from the comments.  Deadline: Midnight on Sunday, November 20th, 2011.  Good Luck!

All Images Courtesy of IdeaPaint

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The finishes above and below make great use of linear techniques. Both are so gorgeous and fresh. Top is via This is Glamorous and bottom is via Dilly Dallas – both sites are wonderful.

I really enjoy metal effects on ceilings as well.  This treatment was done by Segreto Finishes for interior designer Diana Humphrey.  Love the work!

I adore galvanized metal walls, especially when with a patina and/or paired with rivets.

One could produce this accent wall with tone on tone glazes or plasters along with shadowing and real or faux rivets.

Above via Desire to Inspire

This image inspired the entire post when I saw it. It is actually real galvanized metal -- and what a gorgeous look it gives!

Above via Dwell

Smaller projects also make an impact. Check out these faux metal letters that Kristen F. Davis created a tutorial for.  They started out as cardboard and now look like faux zinc – nice!  The tutorial link shows you how to make the changes easily.

Speaking of changes, you know I’m not good at leaving well enough alone.  Many things are bubbling for Fauxology and good additions are coming down the pike — I think you’ll really like them.  They’ll premiere soon-ish so be on the lookout!

P.S. Do plan on being here tomorrow as we have a great product Deets in store for you and a beautiful giveaway!

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We had a fantastic Giveaway by Giani Granite during our Review post on their beautiful Liquid Stainless Steel.  Readers were asked to comment on the post about the product they were most interested in and their creative plans for it — and one was picked via Random to receive their own complimentary kit to work the magic.  Without further ado, the Winner is…

Based on number of eligible entries. Winning entry generated by Random.org

Beth Orasco!

Beth is a single mother of two wonderful sons who enjoys DIY projects and turning “nothing into something”.  She says, “I just recently ripped up the carpet and tile in my living room and hall and laid beautiful new laminate floors along with painting most of the rooms in the house.  I saw the Giani product last year at the St. Louis Home Show and was amazed at how easy it looked to be and how gorgeous it turned out.  I knew when I got to the kitchen I would be trying this out for myself.  Christmas came early this year – I will have beautiful counters just in time for the holidays – wooohooo!”  She has decided to try out the Chocolate Brown Giani Granite kit.

Beth works in the IT world and also has a business as an independent consultant with Scentsy Wickless Candles.  “I love bringing beautiful products and scents to people to use in their own homes.  Scent is an amazing way to evoke thoughts and memories of childhood or anytime.”  Please do visit her site or her Scentsy Facebook page. Congratulations, Beth — do keep us posted on the transformation!

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I did want to say “Thank You!” to all who left a wonderful comment on the post and also to Rima Bechara of Boston’s Walls & More for the review and Gail Strebel of Giani Granite for facilitating the wonderful Giveaway.  There will be more opportunities to win products and other great giveaways so be on the lookout — have a wonderful day!

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Rima Bechara: When I first heard that Liquid Stainless Steel paint was developed to change the color of appliances, stoves and refrigerators from any color to Stainless Steel, I was very skeptical. I did not believe that any paint could create such a drastic change and do it well.  I was curious, though, and thought it would be great idea to try it out on the white, ugly fridge sitting in my garage.

I watched the online video to see how it was done and how much work was involved. It seemed easy and simple to do so I ordered the kit. Whilst waiting for the paint to arrive, I casually mentioned the plan to my family; they thought I had lost my mind. If you could see my kitchen cabinets, you would understand why! Every cabinet was painted in a different color.  (I could not settle on one color. It has become a joke even amongst our friends). I was very excited and could not wait for my kit to arrive.

Stainless Steel Refrigerator Kit

When my kit arrived, included were 1) Written instructions, 2) a CD, 3) a paint tray, 4) all the tools that were needed to complete the project; 5) the Basecoat and 6) the Top coat. I looked through the written information and watched the CD over & over again.  (You can also do this on tables & kitchen cabinets!)

THE PROCESS

I first tested if my fridge was metal — if it was not, I would have to prime it but luckily I did not have to do that.  I also followed their instructions for cleaning the fridge.  Although the paper said I did not have to take the food out, the fridge in the CD looked empty and so I did not unplug it.  I also decided that since this is my extra fridge in the garage, I would paint it with the doors closed and I would not do the inside of the doors or the seals. (I may try to paint the seal part later just to see how well it adheres.)  I also removed the white freezer door handle to paint black.

After stirring the paint well for a while, I was ready to go.  As the paint has metal in it, there is a strong smell. This needs to be done in a well-aired area. I rolled the paint using the tools they provided in the kit.  I removed the Maytag sign and painted the freezer door and then the sides and top of the fridge. For the purposes of this review I decided not to paint the fridge door at that point. It would be easier to compare the Before & After. After I finished the first coat, the fridge looked terrible.

First Coat!

I did a second coat an hour later and it looked a little better.  By the time I did the third coat it looked good.  I felt it was a little streaky so I did a fourth coat and repeated the entire process for the main door. I then decided to stop for the day.  I was happy with the changes I was seeing.

Second, Third and Fourth Coats - seeing progress!

The next day I ran into the garage and my fridge looked GREAT and SPECTACULAR, just like stainless steel.  I was ecstatic! I put the clear coat on the areas that I had painted. I wanted the satin look so I only painted one coat of clear. I had sprayed the door handle black & I attached it to the fridge the next day. My family was so impressed.

For even more fun, I decided to decorate the freezer door.  I used a stencil from Victoria Larsen and mixed a bead gel with silver quartz beads from Wonderfaux Studios in Texas. The gel helps suspend the beads nicely and although opaque when wet, it dries clear. I attached the stencil with low tack tape and began to apply the gel and bead mixture.  Once the gel became dry and clear, I used Martha Stewart glue to apply clear Swarovski crystals and butterfly beads to the design.

Before & After – even painting the handle made a big difference!

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who has a good fridge but wants to change the color. I was really nervous after the first coat and I do think at least 4 coats of paint are needed.  It does have a strong scent so keep the windows opened.  I would note that you do need to have an empty fridge and freezer. The only potential problem I felt that needed to be addressed was that the tool with the foam was beginning to come apart when I put on the clear. I would like to see this foam tool a little bit sturdier or maybe have two of them in the kit. All in all, I really enjoyed myself and even my family was happy with the way it looked!  This fridge could now move to any living room, it looked like a piece of furniture.

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Rima Bechara is based in Boston and owns the Walls & More studio.  Thank you, Rima, for such a wonderful review!  The products were created by the GIANI company who has won awards for their  unique kitchen coatings that are “changing the way America remodels its kitchens”.  They have two water-based product lines: the aforementioned Liquid Stainless Steel and Giani Granite, which helps create the look of granite countertops.  Do see their Gallery of images and granite colors available.  Both websites have a FAQs area and complete information on the product lines and ordering.  They also have a great Facebook Fan page and a Twitter stream.

G  I  V  E  A  W  A  Y

One lucky Reader will receive a complimentary Liquid Stainless Steel Kit or the Giani Granite Kit in any color chosen to get you going on your own personal project!  (Value: $69.95)  For your chance to win, please leave a comment on this post letting us know the product you are most interested in and your creative plans for it — you know we all love to read inspired ideas!  The Giveaway is open to everyone and one Winner will be chosen at random from the comments.  Deadline: Friday, October 7, 2011.  Good Luck!

Via Sunsurfer

A bit ago, I did a post on Eco-friendly Stenciling which included a recipe on creating a moss stencil. Others try a nice thick coat of buttermilk on the object and then place it in a shady, moist location to encourage growth. Cast stones are a good surface because they are nicely porous – not so liked by moss is regular concrete or plastic.  On occasion, we (and I mean decorative painters as a whole) might get a call on creating a mossy statue or a vase — anything to quickly give something relatively new the look of worn elegance.  Here are some ways moss can make a glorious impact on design.

Via Forever Lovely Designs

Featured in Hue by Kelly Wearstler

Lettering

Left: Etsy, Right: dear lillie

Gorgeous Moss Green

Via Design Sponge

A beautiful fountain we came upon in Giardino Giusti.  Here is the full image.

A 19th-century bust featured in House & Garden (RIP)

Many confuse moss with lichen although they are different – lichen is actually a cross of algae and fungus.  Some lichen may be green but often it is gray or white in appearance and can mostly be found covering stones and trees. The best way to recreate the look with paint is to study real moss and lichen and come up with textures and colors that match them best for your project.  I think both organisms are fascinating and beautiful.  Do you agree?  Have a great day!

Starting off with a sweetness featured in Pottery Barn Kids Bedding (above).

A beautiful cherry blossom tree in a nursery.  Interior by Vancouver’s Lord Twig Design – more pics of this beautiful room are on their site.

An unusual but fun take courtesy of Jerry Bussanmas Homebuilders.

The following two showcase very simple designs shadowed in white. Love!

Of course, you can add a bit more to the white like they did in this young girl’s room below… Via Houzz.

Florida artist Juli Simon does a jungle variation above and forest variation below.  Both are just lovely.

The beauty of having an artist come into your home is the fact that you can personalize a young one’s space. Here, Arizona artist Carmen Benoit takes her client’s birdhouse collection and creates something memorable with their “treehouse”.  She also included the family’s pet rabbit and dog! Notice how the birdhouses are either hung on the tree or from a clear wire — SO creative.

I really could have posted so many more images and variations – I sometimes have to stop myself!  BTW, I’ll have you know it took me a loooooong time to come up with this particular title, so I hope there were no eye rolls!  Imagine — you could have gotten stuck with the somewhat boring “Different Branches of Trees” like I originally planned.  I think it’s better that we got twiggy with it.

House & Garden (R.I.P.)

Pinterest

Beautiful Portals

All you have to do is find a picture in which your work makes a great impression and Enter it Here. 

Easy Peasy.  Actually, you can enter as many projects as you’d like but only one image of each technique/finish.  Last day to submit your pic(s)?  This Friday, July 29th.

Sherwin-Williams’ Faux Impressions as photographed by Houston artist Ali Kay.

So, Recap: 1) Find Great Pic(s) and 2) Submit it/them Here.  Voting will begin over the coming weekend and carry on for the entire week.  All those who enter will receive an e-mail with a link to their specific image(s) so that you can send those to all your friends and family to vote.  All the pictures will be available on the Fauxology Fan Page as well.  Faux Impressions’ Ed Mattingly will pick the final Grand Prize Winner from the Top 3 pics at the end of the week.  I hope you enter — and may the force be with you!

P.S. BTW, your regularly scheduled blog post is right after this…

Recycled Paint

We had a fantastic Giveaway by Metro Wallworks during our Deets post on their innovative eco-friendly product, Recycled Paint.  Readers were asked to comment about their creative plans for the material and one was picked via Random to receive five quarts of paint to start their own faux kit.  Without further ado, the Winner is…

MICHELLE LOPEZ!

Michelle says, “I am a relative newcomer to the decorative painting world, and thanks to the internet and BLOGS (yes, I’m blog obsessed!) I am able to learn from some of the most incredible teachers in the business without ever leaving home.  Currently, I specialize in painted furniture, patinated mirrors and stenciled/faux finished walls, but I will paint almost anything!”  Michelle had just bought a stencil and planned to use the Ice Blue and Stony Gray Recycled Paint colors to create a beautiful focal wall for her bedroom.  It does sound amazing — keep us posted, Michelle!

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I did want to say “Thank You!” to all who left a wonderful comment on the post and also to Ayn Riggs of Recycled Paint for the wonderful Giveaway.  There will be more opportunities to win products and other great giveaways so be on the lookout, dear Readers — have a great day!

A few years ago, I spotted this image in an issue of Elle Decor….

The columns installed by designer Stephen Sills were so beautiful that they inspired this 2009 blog post wherein I stated that a decorative finisher could reproduce the columns — but they had to be done extremely well.  Cue to a few years later and there I am receiving the submissions for Column Week.  When I saw these beauties submitted by Krista Vind, they immediately reminded me of my post from so long ago and I knew they would make the final list.  Once I started receiving all her project information, the inspiration pic was sent as well — and it was the SAME pic.  I was floored at the coincidence and it was only then that it dawned on me that they had beautifully executed the finish I had written about years ago.  Love how it all comes around, you know?  Krista shares their story.

“These are the columns in The Country Club of Mobile.  The designer, Tricia Willis, wanted the columns to have a beautiful banding design,” she explains. “We created six of these 12′  tall columns for the entry hall. The color and type of marble were changed to go with the interior design club.  In fact, here is the original “recipe” just so you can see the colors used and how messy I can be!”

“We ended up changing it a bit when we did the columns.  The finish itself has a lot of steps but each is so quick and easy, its amazing to me how realistic they look!”

Hallway with beautiful Banded Columns at end.

Guess what, dear Readers?  The recipe has been shared!

Tumbled Marble Banded Columns

1)  Basecoat with white paint.

2)  Mix 2 paint/glaze mixtures: one in a deep tomato red, the other a dark gray. Cut a few pieces of plastic sheeting into different sizes. Apply a bit of the paint/glaze mix to the plastic with a brush – each color separately. Lay the plastic on the surface to apply the paint.  Using both colors, you are looking for about 30-40% surface coverage. It should look like a positive frottage. Let dry. (This is the really scary stage. Be SURE to warn your clients!)

3)  Using a very light gray color, again “bag” on to soften the look of the red and dark gray. This time, wad up some plastic and just lightly dip it into the paint before bagging on the surface.

4)  Using glaze and dark brown colorant, overglaze the entire surface to tone.

5)  Now, using a thin mix of the same gray as in Step 2 and water, rub onto the surface randomly with a t-shirt cloth.  Do as much coverage as you think necessary.

6)  Now comes the fun part – making the “stones”!  My first go-round with this I used three different glaze color mixes.  I found it really wasn’t necessary, so I ended up using a) a mix of Aquacreme with Brown and Dark Brown colors and b) RS Glaze with a Chestnut color. (If you aren’t certified to use RS glaze, just use Aquacreme.)

7)  Tear brown paper into stoney shapes. Dip in water, dab off on towel and then apply to column surface.  Apply brown glaze all around and add in only the chestnut color here and there, varying the size of the areas where you add it. If you use RS Glaze, use a color shaper to “pull” the glaze and create its unique movement. Pull off the paper. Soften the edges with a paper towel or tool of choice.  Before this glaze is dry, I also like to use the color shaper to create movement in the larger areas of solid glaze. It leaves faint lines that look like fissures.

8)  Topcoat using a shiny water-based material. I used Rock Kote gloss.

Unless otherwise noted, all products used are from Faux Effects.

Krista shares, “This process sounds difficult to me as I write it out, but in fact it is SO simple and creates such a really convincing marble!”  I would have to agree — the columns look wonderful!  Please be sure to visit their websites, Ufauxrea and THE Studio Destin, to see more of their work and available classes.  The studio also has a great Facebook page.  Tomorrow we conclude Column Week with another Florida artist — her first feature here on Fauxology.  The inspiration? The 70′s mystique mixed with Moroccan influences.  Intrigued?  See you tomorrow!

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DAY 1 – Column Week: Ashlie Bickford, Kindra Benge and Sharon Leichsenring
DAY 2 – Column Week: Arthur Morehead
DAY 3 – Column Week: Mindy Hunt Harrell
DAY 4 – Current Post
DAY 5 – Column Week: Lisa Cameron

These six column form a separation of the dining room from an open-spaced foyer and living room. The work was done by Ashlie Bickford and Kindra Benge of A Fabulous Finish in The Woodlands, Texas and myself, Sharon Leichsenring of Leichsenring Studios in Trumbull, Connecticut. Ashlie had invited me to work on several  murals in this home. The columns gave us a great opportunity to pool our talents. Here are the results.

Below, you can see the columns with the initial coat of texture troweled on.

Next, an embossed stencil was applied in a spiral fashion. The plaster was then primed.

The entire columns, except for some trim bands on the capitals and bases, were then foiled in Antique Gold. We applied an umber glaze over the foil.

The capitals were highlighted with bands of metallic teal paint.  The scrolls of flowers and flourishes were dry-brushed in a medley of metallic colors including bronze, pewter and saffron.  The pièce de résistance? All the flowers were covered by Swarovski crystals of amber, silver and turquoise.  In case you’re wondering, there’s only one way to apply the crystals: one by one.  The crystals were cemented to overlap each other for maximum Bling! effect.

It’s ironic to call this work—we had a wonderful time. BTW, check out the fantastic wall finish which provides a drop dead back drop (say that 3 times fast) for the columns. That was executed by Ashlie and Kindra. They applied a layer of texture, then stenciled embossed random  damask elements.  The stenciled areas were then foiled in Antique gold with a rich umber glaze toning everything as a finish.

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Dazzling!  I love teamwork — especially between artists in different states! This particular home also won the ladies a spot on the 2011 Top Job Awards given by American Painting Contractor magazine. The prestigious award was for their work in the entire house — this was just one space in the gorgeous home. Ashlie Bickford and Kindra Benge’s site is A Fabulous Finish and they have a great Facebook page. Sharon’s site is Leichsenring Studios and she also has a wonderful Facebook page. Please do be sure to visit their sites and see more of their work. I hope you’ve enjoyed their incredible collaboration — I think we started Column Week in the right way! Tomorrow, we travel back to my home state of Florida to see an amazing “stone” finish.

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DAY 1 – Current Post
DAY 2 – Column Week: Arthur Morehead
DAY 3 – Column Week: Mindy Hunt Harrell
DAY 4 – Column Week: Krista Vind and Cindy Everett Smith
DAY 5 – Column Week: Lisa Cameron

What It Is: Recycled Paint is unused latex paint collected from Hazardous Household Waste collection centers that is then sorted, filtered, scrubbed, tinted and remanufactured into high-quality interior and exterior latex paint.  It is comparable to top-quality new paint sold by national manufacturers. It is available in 15 pre-mixed colors and carries the Green Seal stamp of approval. The sheen for all the paints is flat except for Whipped White which is also available in Semi-Gloss.  Custom colors and other sheens are available for orders of over 100 gallons.

Recycled Paint Color Chart. These colors are readily available in one-gallon or 5-gallon containers.

What It Does: This high-quality latex paint that can be used for interior and exterior applications for any paint project.  Using Recycled Paint qualifies for LEED credits because the paint contains over 80% post-consumer content material.

In fact, to make 10 gallons of new paint takes about 1000 kWh — the equivalent of running a home for a month.

In California alone, people dispose of 5 – 7 million gallons of paint every year and the energy used to make that disposed paint would run 40,000 homes for a year!

“Our mission is to increase awareness and thus consumer demand for recycled paint, just like environmentalists did with paper, glass and plastic.  We purposely choose a very bold “recycled” on the label and kept it generic so that resellers can apply their logo in place of ours but keep the branding going.  We just want to sell a lot of paint in our neck of the woods and be a catalyst for other retailers to take this on as well,” Ayn explains.  Please note the website has a great FAQ area as well.

Where To Get It: Recycled Paint is available through Metro Wallworks but they will be announcing more distributors and locations soon. The cost? $16.95 per gallon and $65 for a 5-gallon bucket.  The 5-gallon ends up being $13 per gallon.  Seriously — you can’t beat that.

I do love their tagline "Some Things are Better with a Past". Brilliant.

Extra Tip: Ayn Riggs, owner of Metro Wallworks, added an area to the website called Decorative Artists 4 Recycled Paint.  It’s an area for studios and artists across the country to share finish recipes using recycled paint. The contributing studios are promoted on the site and visitors receive practical advice and great ideas.  Win-win!  BTW, you can find the company on Facebook and on Twitter.

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Now obviously, you can buy paint anywhere but I think that using a product such as Recycled Paint goes toward the greater good, is cost effective and clients will always appreciate an eco-forward studio.  Helping to spread the word on wonderful ideas and products such as this one is one of the joys of writing this blog!

G I V E A W A Y

One lucky Reader will receive 5 quarts in any colors you’d like to get you going on your own personal faux kit!  You can use it to create a Decorative Artists that Care finish or use it as the base of a simple job and then blast out to your clients what your studio is up to — it’s all up to you!  For your chance to win, please leave a comment on this post letting us know what you think of Recycled Paint and your creative plans for the product — you know we all love to read inspired ideas!  The Giveaway is open to everyone and one Winner will be chosen at random from the comments.  Deadline: Friday, July 22, 2011.  Good Luck!

I came upon the Golden Artist Colors channel and enjoyed looking at all the videos they have.  Check out this one for open acrylics…

Click here to view the embedded video.

An acrylic paint that stays malleable — and you don’t have to add glaze to it, which can make it too translucent sometimes. Yes, please!

I love the Golden product line, too.  Have you seen the variety of materials they offer?  I’m telling you, it blows my mind.  I remember painting on tiles about a decade ago and they had a great product (GAC 200) that made my water-based colors less “stretchy” and more amenable to the tile substrate.  I’ve been told that their Liquid Thickener can be added to latex paint to create a buttery consistency perfect for troweling (like a matte Venetian Plaster).  Plus, I also enjoy their Proceed products.  The list goes on.

Click here to view the embedded video.

They have a plaster that crackles itself consistently without any size. I like the Fresco technique they briefly show, too.

Golden currently has about 47 videos to view — you can also subscribe to the channel and have them notify you when a new video goes up.  They also have a (very) informative newsletter you can access and subscribe to.  Check out their Facebook page as well.  (They engage very well with their fans. Gotta love that.)  If you’re interested, they also have a section of their website dedicated to digital mixed media.  BTW, Golden Artist Colors was just named by Inc. magazine as one of the Top Small Company Workplaces of 2011.  I think I’d enjoy working there, too!

Speaking of YouTube, I recently started a Fauxology YouTube channel.  It’s a little slim right now but soon it will be nice and plumpy, so please feel free to subscribe if you’d like.  I’m trying to decide on filming equipment that is portable, effective and affordable. So, if you have any suggestions, by all means — and let me know if you have a YouTube channel, too!  Have a great day!

However, it wasn’t until recently that I heard of mud stenciling.  Mud stencils are an “environmentally-friendly street art” according to artist Jesse Graves of Mud Stencils.  For the eco-friendly graffiti artists who are serious about their world and care about the imprint they leave, this solves it all.  They can make their point by expressing their message — and then it all washes away easily, earth returning to earth.  Love.

Some of the smaller works by Jesse Graves.

Mr. Graves was kind enough to give a good working recipe.  A quick how-to time lapse video showing how to mud stencil is provided by the Keep A Breast Foundation, who has a “non-toxic revolution” teaching young people how to prevent and detect breast cancer.  Of course, if mud just isn’t your thing, you can always go green by being a guerrilla gardener and trying the moss variation…

Via Treehugger

…or the fascinating Reverse Graffiti, which creates designs by pressure washing and cleaning through a stencil.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Who’d have thought a dirty wall would be a blank canvas to some?  Genius.  You know what’s interesting, too?  A recent event in Wisconsin involved a protest and mud stenciling.  The police did not deem the messages as graffiti since they could be washed away.  That’s quite an advantage for art activists.  Rock on!

The flip side is also true.  It aches my heart that I will not bear witness to an ever more amazing future beyond my lifespan.  Who are the Michelangelos of the future — the work awed over, the talent marveled at?  How will technology change our industry?  Will decorative painting survive as we know it?  As much as I think about these things, I’m also so glad to be caught in the traffic of our current historic era. I mean, seriously — how lucky are we to have so much information available at our fingertips and at a moment’s notice?

I found out just how much when I visited the Library of Congress this past year.  I learned that they launched the World Digital Library in April 2009 in order to not only start preserving the amazing books and objects in their collection, but also to make it readily available to the entire world.  In the first week it launched, it had 16 million page views.  Visitors can search for many items to view, including books, prints, drawings and photographs by time, topic, place and type of item.  Here’s a short video so that you can see exactly how incredible this reference source can be.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A European version of the library called Europeana was launched as well.  This source shares paintings, music, films and books from Europe’s galleries, archives, libraries and museums. Pretty heady stuff.  Here’s a bit more info.

Also available to us is the Google Art Project.  It’s a collaboration of some of the world’s most famous museums that enables the viewer to see over one thousand artworks in the online gallery.  You can zoom in to the artworks to see a great amount of detail.  If you so desire, you can also create your own “museum” with your preferred collection. I would have loved to have been a part of the digitizing and research process.  Sigh. So many cool careers.  Here’s a video to get you started.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you were to Google “decorative arts” and “digital library” you will also find other research sources such as universities and even cities.  Today we are caught between the Old World and the Brave New World.  Do you have any historic moments you would have enjoyed being a part of or witnessing?  I like the thought of experiencing and learning as much as possible in order to make the most of the time here.  I think we can all relate to that, no?  Here’s to a life well-lived!

What are some of your personal favorite designs and styles?

Well the whole “modern movement” has been a bit rough for me because I’m a classics girl, all the way! There is SUCH a rich history of centuries of pattern that has been beautifully cataloged in design books, and I have tried to buy all of them!

A small portion of her bookshelf...

The classic forms and shapes of ornament that developed independently all over the world all come from nature and I believe that they speak to us at a deeper, more personal level and are a part of our collective creative souls. Other design trends come and go like fashion fads, but we keep coming back to the classics. You can see evidence of this in all the design magazines and blogs. Can I get an AMEN that the whole stripped-down, chilly modern look is fading away!  (Fauxology Note: AMEN!)

(above) Celestial Turkish Emblems, Tooled Leather, Fortuny Silk and Foiled Again (below)

The great thing about what we do is that we can recreate classic styles for artistic contemporary applications. I love using pattern as just one ingredient of surface decoration, and combining it with texture, patina, light reflection, color, etc. This is where we can really use our individual creativity and artistic exploration.

I am not so much into historical recreation…

…as historical reinterpretation.

When I am looking through classic pattern books or reference material, my eye sees an image of a pattern, but my mind is racing ahead to place it into a context that contains all the possible surface and combination of materials I might use to create a unique effect with it. I have always thought of stencils as just an ingenious means to and end; a simple tool to create a unique, artistic surface.

With my love of classic, European design, I am feeling super fortunate that I was approached this year by the licensing director for The Hearst Castle Collection to develop a series of Royal Design Studio stencils and Modello masking patterns from the extensive library of pattern and design that can be found at Hearst Castle. For me, this is like a beautiful gift! Hearst Castle is filled with exquisite antique ceilings rescued from palaces, villas, churches and monasteries from Spain and France, and I have access to the architectural drawings of the prolific Julia Morgan.

We will be offering both single layer and multi-layer (theorem-style) versions of the designs, as they lend themselves to some more intricate and ornate pattern work. I will be introducing these designs at the upcoming IDAL convention and also on my painting trip to Barcelona in June, where the students there will be the first to use them as we complete several complex panel samples during our stay in a former monastery just outside of the city.

I have also always loved Arabic and Moorish decoration and been heavily influenced by the 3 painting trips I have led to Marrakech, Morocco. To me, these are also classic patterns and I love the spiritual geometry behind the pattern development. The complex, interlacing designs have a special way of drawing you in, and they seem to have a universal appeal as well. I’ll be leading a fourth (and probably last) trip back to Marrakech this coming October.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is a very special, inspiring place, especially for those who appreciate art and beauty the way that decorative artisans do. Being able to experience other countries and cultures with and through the eyes of fellow artists has been such a gift and blessing in my life that I am very grateful for.

Do you believe in destiny or choice?

Both. I believe that we are all here to serve and work towards a higher path and purpose, but WE make choices every hour of the day that affect how we travel quickly or with what degree of difficulty we travel on that path. Sometimes our choices lead us to detour and dead ends, but what we learn on those side trips helps guide us later on down the road. Or at least that’s the hope! I think the trick is to try to learn from our mistakes (which are really valuable lessons), but not to dwell on them. I try to live in the now but my focus is definitely always on what’s coming over the horizon!

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Good words to live by! I do hope you have enjoyed our two-part chat with Melanie Royals.  Please be sure to also check out her Facebook Fan page for Modello Designs and Royal Design Studio as well as her Twitter profile.  Her blog, Design Amour, is a fantastic read and she does posts videos frequently on her YouTube page.  A big Thank You! to Melanie for e-chatting with us and sharing her story, insights and more about her businesses.  I hope you’ve been inspired as you go into the weekend!

The above is the shortened bio of one of the most prolific artists in our industry.  Chances are high that you know the name Melanie Royals, or at the very least, her incredible businesses.  A few years ago, I met her when I took a class in her lovely studio.  We’ve kept in touch since then, from e-mailing to showcasing at trade shows to attending a blog conference together.  She has been blessed with an almost otherworldly creative sense as well as keen business and marketing insights — a rare combination.  In person?  Witty, insightful and a girl’s girl — plus, one of the most fun people you could possibly spend time with.  Seriously — I’ve had tears streaming down my eyes in laughter from her stories!  We had an e-chat recently for Fauxology and I hope you enjoy both her story and insights over the next two days. We start today with her beginnings and inspirations and conclude tomorrow with all that’s coming up for her (and for us!).  Let’s dig in…

It’s been said that all incredible journeys start with one step.  How did yours begin?

I actually started on this journey with a trip to New England in 1983. We went to some historic places, like Sturbridge Village where I saw examples of historic New England stenciling. It wasn’t until we hit the Boston Museum of Art, though, where I picked up the book The Art of Decorative Stenciling by Adele Bishop and Cile Lord that the whole thing clicked for me. That book was filled with stenciled images that made me HAVE to learn how to stencil!

There were some more simplistic designs for sure, but it was the photos of intricately detailed and shaded furniture and floor screens that I kept going back to. They just looked so magical to me! I discovered that they were achieved with “theorem-style” stencils, where different parts of the design are cut on different layers. When all of the layers are completed, you end up with an image that looks as if it could have been hand painted, because there are no bridges or broken areas in the design.

I poured over the book, and spent many hours at my dining room table drawing and redrawing designs and then cutting them by hand with a Stanley knife! Unfortunately, these amazing artistic and pioneering women worked long before the digital age, and all that I can now find about them online is a photo of a very “now” stenciled graphic floor by Cile Lord in a House Beautiful magazine spread from 1970 and Adele’s obituary from 1996. It’s sad to think that two women who truly had a great affect on the resurgence of stenciling in this country and a lot of what we do today are not being properly honored, remembered or respected as they deserve to be.

In the late 80’s I was contacted by a very eccentric retired interior designer who had just move from Connecticut, named Evelyn Tasch. Evelyn had actually worked quite a bit with Adele Bishop and Cile Lord (Bishop & Lord) on residential and commercial projects in and around New York City. She even had some of their original pieces in her home, which amazed and intimidated me to no end! She had a vision and style like no other, and working with her over two of her houses fortunately pushed me to think outside the box along with her. I think that the challenges she presented me with (and she WAS challenging) had a huge effect on shaping my approach to pattern to this day.

What are some misconceptions about stencils and stenciling that you encounter?

Ha! I could write a whole book on that subject alone. Sadly, it seems that classic, oft-repeated misconception about stencils (that it’s all about crafty ducks and bunnies) has existed for almost 30 years now. Seriously! Those types of designs were popular for about 1 year back in the 80’s and people either overlook, or don’t have the knowledge, that stencils have been used elegantly and artistically for 1,000’s of years by both primitive and advanced cultures all over the world! I wrote a blog post on Design Amour just recently about a wonderful new book, Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments, by Florence de Dampierre. Amazingly, it has a WHOLE chapter devoted to the extensive history of decorative painting. I was thrilled to see the poor, lowly stencil get its just due, finally! I highly recommend it as required reading. Of course, the stenciling photos are divine as well.

Another misconception I’ve heard over the years is that using stencils is “cheating” somehow. As if it’s an art “test”?! Of course, there are all kinds of mechanical means for transferring pattern, such as pounce patterns (used by the Renaissance artists), tracing, and projecting. Stencils are just a different, friendly tool for pattern transferring-with benefits, as you can create the transfer with paint in one fell swoop, or swirl, of the brush.

I don’t think that misconception is as common now as it was back in the day before stencils and decorative finishes became as integrated as they are now. There WAS a time when people drew lines in the sand as to whether they were stencilers, faux finishers or muralists. I am really proud to have been involved in that line blurring. I took one of The Finishing School’s first classes here in San Diego using the “new” finishing line from Faux Effects back in the 90’s. I took my activated glaze samples home and applied my new Damask and Free Form Fruits stencils to them. When I took them back to class the next day everyone went crazy over them. Bob Marx then asked me to develop a class to teach at TFS in New York and Extraordinary Stenciled Effects was born! Some notable students from that first class were Sean Crosby and Randy Ingram. After that I traveled extensively, teaching stenciled finishes at Faux Effects schools until I finally developed The Extraordinary Stenciled Effects home study program of videos, technique manual, and recipe cards.

One special thing that I have seen over the years is that stencils can be a gateway for beginning budding artists to grow and blossom in their skills. Stenciling can help ignite a passion for color, form, pattern and design.  I have seen many decorative painters start with stencils, and then go on to become highly skilled trompe l’oeil or mural artists once they discover their own innate skills and enthusiasm for decorative art.

Where do you see pattern and design headed in the future?

Well, the good news is that pattern is currently BACK in a big way and a whole new generation of young, trend-setting decoristas are discovering stencils as the hottest, “newest” thing! Can decorative finishes be far behind? I see the whole “glaze craze”, crackled finishes, distressing, etc. cycling through again-but with twists!  I think that this is a really important time for our industry to seize the moment and the conversation in this amazing digital Web 2.0 environment.

Unfortunately, many decorative painters, companies and organizations are on their heels with their backs to the wall from the housing bust and the ongoing recession, but I think that there is going to be a lot of opportunity in the future for artisans and companies who are willing and able to hang on and to rethink, re-strategize, and reposition themselves.

Beyond stenciling and decorative painting, I am most pleased with what we have been able to accomplish and offer with the introduction of our Modello decorative masking patterns 8 years ago. Trying to convince people to consider a one-time-use, custom pattern over a reusable, mylar stencil was a super tough sell for several years, but they have now become an industry standard. It’s been really gratifying to see the amazing work, artistic work our customers have done with our patterns. It was such a thrill to be able to honor THEM with our two Modello by Design books.

From flooring to walls to ceilings…Modellos make an impact.  Artists (clockwise from top left): Utah’s Metamorphosis, Nancy Jones, Jason Lucas and Lynn Smith

(cont.)  I think where Modello patterns continue to shine is for taking complex patterns and making them “doable” in a way that is time efficient, yet allows for over the top artistry and execution. I think a great, classic painted ceiling or wood floor can be an “heirloom” that gets passed down through generations of homeowners. Heirloom decorative painting. Now, there’s a nice thought!

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Heirloom decorative painting — I’ll always like the sound of that!  I hope you’ve enjoyed Part 1 of our 2-part interview.  Tomorrow, we talk a bit more about her design leanings, her affinity for “historical reinterpretation” and see what is coming up (Hearst Castle, anyone?).  Please come back to read more — and of course, see more gorgeous images.  Have a wonderful day!