I’m just horrible with crafts or artistry on small objects. Big walls, sure, but small surfaces? Can’t do it — and I’ve tried, trust. Which is why when I saw The Art of Ebru post over at one of my fave blogs, Art’s the Answer, I was overtaken by the sheer mastery the blog’s writer, Theresa Cheek, has of the art form.
Ebru is the process of floating ink on water to create marbleized patterns. A fellow decorative painter in Texas, Theresa shows examples of Ebru on different surfaces, talks about her collection, demonstrates the process and showcases some of her work. That’s just so impressive. My Mother, who is a creative genius with small objects, thinks it may come around for me eventually. I’m not so sure — but I do hope you enjoy Theresa’s artistry. Have a great day, dear Reader!
I stumbled onto the Natural Pigments website via my friend, Jeff Huckaby. When anything has the tag “rare artists colours and materials” — well, how can you resist? The company and site are based in California and their goal is to help artists acquire hard-to-find art materials. They provide supplies that have been used in “historical painting since pre-historic times up to and including the eighteenth century”. Amazing to find such a company, no? They go further to say that they obtain minerals from mines as far as Russia and resins and other materials from India, Kenya and Malaysia as well.
The reason Jeff called me about the site? It’s because they offer an affordable and wonderful True Fresco Painting workshop. The 3-day class runs $425 and teaches the historical technique “as practiced in medieval Byzantium and Italy”. It really does look like an incredible workshop.
Their newsletters are always full of great information as well. Just in the last three, I’ve learned about the metalpoint drawing technique and the use of oil colors and materials. I enjoy them greatly. If you are in the New York City area on September 14 – 15, they are also sponsoring a free lecture series open to the public at the Art Students League of New York. The subjects include the Origins of Color: Secrets of the Old Masters and Color Theory & Practice. They will last approximately an hour and George O’Hanlon, technical director of Natural Pigments, will follow his lecture with a digital presentation and a question and answer period. I wish I could attend, I tell you what. To find out more, check out the Events column on their site.
I find it fun to poke around their site and read about materials for disciplines such as encaustic painting, tempera, gilding and others. The site also has cool articles (check under each category for “articles”) and a forum to talk about the materials and techniques. Until next time!
Green is a color that signifies life — growth, renewal, healthiness. It is a color that denotes nature and balance and can usually be found within a calm color scheme. Used well, it can help alleviate anxiety and relax both the mind and body. Many famous phrases revolve around the color, such as “going green”, “green with envy”, “green-lighting a project” or “it’s not easy being green”. Mmm…maybe that last one not so much. ;) In entertainment, there is even a “green room” — it is the area a performer can be found waiting until his or her time to go on stage. Interestingly, it is rarely painted green.
Sensational Color has wonderful further information on the color green. In the meantime, I found a few catalog and magazine images that showcase this beautiful color.
Wallpaper or Decorative Artwork
Venetian Plaster on Accent Walls
Unexpected Areas
Overall
I hope you’ve been inspired to Go Green! Until next time, dear Reader!
Image Sources: Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Benjamin Moore, Phoenix Home & Garden and Elle Decor
Late last year, our team did a crocodile skin finish in a hotel bar. It had beautiful shades of aged eggplant and silvers — very shimmery and sleek. Per request, we used both stencils and cheesecloth to create the crocodile texture. Oh, but how it took time. I don’t even want to tell you how the stencils looked after so much trowelling.
Fast forward a few months and I learn about this roller. (Of course, it happens that way…)
It was released by Atova and they say that it makes creating crocodile textures fast and consistent in pattern. The roller originated in Italy and you use it to just roll the pattern onto your surface material. It can be rinsed for reuse with mild soap detergent and water. Last I heard, Atova offers contractors a 15% discount. It comes in two sizes: 7″ and 3.5″ — you can find more information here. You can also contact Atova directly if you have any specific questions. Needless to say, I will plan on using these the next time I have a crocodile request. Looks like it’ll save us quite a bit of time…and I look forward to not throwing out cheesecloth and stencils due to so much use and abuse! Until tomorrow!
As you read this, we’re in the midst of an unusual (and yet, so so cool) finish with oversized flowers for a hotel project. Pics soon, promise. It brought to mind to give you two of my fave images using flower motifs. You like?
I’ve used this image as inspiration before — in fact, it helped fuel a 5 a.m. “a-ha” moment. Source Unknown.
Pretty, no? Not only a larger than life design but also with a linear flourish. Source Unknown.
Inspiration can also be found in other surfaces, such as textiles and papers:
Antique prints can prove a great visual resource. Image from Architectural Digest.
I especially like how flowers can adapt to any design style — here, within the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century. Textiles featured in House & Garden years ago.
By the way, I’ve written about Flower Power before in case you’d like to see more images. Have you worked with a flower motif in an unusual way? Would love to hear about it!
I subscribe to a lot of newsletters since I like keeping updated on the latest and greatest. I received the August newsletter by Golden on their Proceed System and in it, there was a mention of a Finishes & Techniques area of their site wherein they give out complimentary recipes on finishes using their products. It’s nice to have freebies like that! The newsletter mentions that they are going to start adding more recipes to this area very soon — so keep an eye out. In addition, there is a video section produced by the Faux Design Center.
Embossed Glass Beads
We’ve tried their glaze and it has one of the longest open times available. A friend of ours loves to use their texture products prior to his decorative work. If you’d like to read more about the Proceed Systems product line, click to read their story and see a list of retailers. The Faux Expo in Orlando also has an upcoming class. By the way, the site also has a comprehensive resource section that provides great links for artists — everything from publications to associations to material sources. Have fun learning new recipes!
A few weeks ago, we profiled the wonderful artist Lynne Rutter. She writes an incredible blog, The Ornamentalist, and I look forward to reading each post she writes. The latest one, A House Inspired by a Jasperware Teapot, talks about how she took inspiration from an unusual source — and created an exterior masterpiece for her clients. Here’s the Before…
…and you’ll have to click on the post link to see the results. You’ll love it, trust. (Jasperware certainly gets around since I’ve also found it to be inspirational.) BTW, in the post Lynne also includes information on how black can be a serious contender for the exterior of your home. I kid you not — I’d slather it on if the architecture of my house would allow it. (Sadly, no.) Have a great day!
I once blogged about architect David Ling and enjoyed how he called rusted or patinated surfaces as having “layers of history”. That’s a great way to describe spaces that have seen a lot of living and love but haven’t experienced it themselves. At least, that’s my romanticized version of it. Here are some images — please note that you can click on them to zoom:
INTERIORS
Sotto Sotto Restaurant in Atlanta, GA as featured in the Atlanta Travel Guide
Love the distressing on panels (left) and Indonesian doors (right) as featured in Elle Decor
FURNITURE AND SUCH
(Sources Unknown)
EXTERIORS
Faded reds and pinks in Buenos Aires as shot for Oprah magazine by Todd Marshard
Giambatista Valli photographed in Rome’s Palazzo dei Conservatori Museum by Henry Bourne for Elle Decor
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When I’ve traveled to countries that have quite a bit of history, I’ve marvel at the weathered surfaces and have expressed my appreciation. Of course, they see it as something that needs fixing and not something to crow about but hey, I find it beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful start to the week — see you soon, dear Reader!
I’ve always loved murals and try to suggest them when the space calls for it. I think some clients can be a bit put off when they are brought up because they think it’s “not something for them”…oh, but how it can be. Murals really encompass a variety of looks — they can be muted, colorful, realistic or charmingly odd. Here are just three examples I’ve found where you can see how a little artistry — or a lot — can transform a room into a place you’d love to spend hours in.
(above) A Dining Room during Thanksgiving. Notice the painted trees & leaves over the arched area which leads perfectly into a view of a sculpture garden. It’s a beautiful (and unexpected) touch when paired with all the other elements – the barrel ceiling, the fabrics (love the backing of the chair on the right) and the overall color scheme. Designed by Charles Pavarini III Design Associates and photographed by Phillip Ennis.
(above) This artistry adds charm and fantasy to what could have been a serious space with a stiff upper lip. It’s one of David Carter’s works.
Of course, you can always use another artist as inspiration. An ode to Monet’s water lilies changes the above two rooms into incredible spaces. Here’s another view. They were painted by Paul Meriguet of Ateliers Meriguet Carrere (Paris) and are photographed by Francois Halard. (BTW, you want to click on the Meriguet Carrere site link. Happy sighs.)
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We really could go on and on with the different types of murals available for your space. When hiring a muralist, please be sure to look at their portfolio with a discerning eye. Just like we are attracted to certain artists and their canvas works, you will feel a pull towards a particular artist and their style. You will note that some artists are better suited for scenery, others are more whimsical and others can be more modern or in the alternate, more traditional. I hope this post has inspired you — see you tomorrow!
I apologize in advance to those who follow me on Twitter or are a Facebook friend, as I already shouted this one out from the rooftops on those sites. Google Alerts was kind enough to let me know that the Fauxology blog was mentioned in a Connecticut Now article entitled “Trick Out Your House with Color” — as one of two recommended blogs to read (the other being the wonderful Color Buzz).
Thankfully, y’all can’t see me doing the I’m a Superstahhhhh! Moves. (Looks like this…)
The article was written by Feng Shui expert Kathryn Weber — a big hearty thanks from me. Click on the link to the article which contains great tips on the addition of color in your home. I particularly like the one about painting your doors a snappy color. My doors are now looking at me like “What? We look good — you woodgrained us already!”. Silly doors — they’ll see a lot more changes throughout the years. Enjoy the article!
