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!
Today we’re going to take the visuals down to a simmer and hit, yes, the dreaded business posts. Judging by the traffic and lack of comments, the business posts don’t get a lot of love — but since I run a creative business and most of my dear Readers are professional creatives, I think it’s important to mix up the both. A bitter pill, I know. :)
As you may know, I love About.com — the Blogging area alone is worth its weight in gold. But, if you ever wanted to spruce up photographs of your work for your portfolio or create better pictures (with cool effects) for your own blog, we would need to head to the Graphics Software area. Here, the area guide, Sue Chastain, offers a complimentary Adobe Photoshop Basics Online Course. There are self-paced lessons that will get you going on the basics of Photoshop. Once you sign up, you will receive one e-mail a week for ten weeks. (Here’s the course outline – scroll to the bottom.) I just signed up so, hopefully, Fauxology’s visuals (as well as Garay Artisans) will get that much better. Have a wonderful day!
Benjamin Moore recently sent me an invite to a complimentary webinar entitled Three Centuries of Color. The one-hour webinar offers a look at “the major influences on color, color selection, and design from 1880 through 2010.” (big grin) They are talking my language!
They go on to say that each webinar will cover “six key colors for each decade and highlight the societal, political, technological, and cultural influences on color, as well as inspire new ideas, fresh perspectives, and insight into future trends.” The next one is scheduled for August 17th (1 – 2 p.m., EDT) and registration will be open about a week or two before that date. They also have others planned after that in case you can’t make that date. Cool, huh? Let me know if you sign up!
I heard rumblings of the introduction of new Faux Effects products, particularly ones called Luna and Sharkskin Metallics. I read that Luna is a textural product that sparkles and Faux Effects instructor, Caridad Schaeffer, explained to me that Sharkskin Metallics are so named because after application, it’s exactly what the finish feels like. Curiouser and curiouser.
I then received an invitation to attend the Summer In-Faux Update and New Product Launch Party held at one of my fave local studios. The Sarasota School of Faux and Architectural Finishing is run by Donna Phelps, who produces some of the most creative finishes using Faux Effects products. Here’s the deets and to RSVP:
Friday, July 16th – 2:30 pm through 7:30 pm
Sarasota School of Faux and Architectural Finishing
5376 Catalyst Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34233
(888) 454-3289
www.SarasotaFauxFX.com
Although I cannot make the event (’cause you know I would have given you play-by-play coverage), Donna sent over images to share with the Fauxology readers of the materials in action along with the introduction of new metallic foil colors.
Walls and Ceilings
Some moldings too…
…countertops
New Foil Colors (the two-toned Iridium looks very interesting)…
…and finally, one of the display areas. (Does that turquoise cabinet door speak to you? Looks delicious.)
At the party, there will be demos, new technique boards, workshop sample displays and of course, the necessary wine, cheese and chocolate offerings. Hope you can attend and if you do, keep me posted! Be sure you keep checking their studio website for more info on upcoming workshops and information. Hope you enjoyed the images!
An exciting event in our industry is happening right here in my backyard: Orlando, FL. It is called the Faux Expo and will be held September 20 – 24, 2010 at the gorgeous Gaylord Palms. (Seriously, pictures don’t do the hotel justice — it’ll be a treat for artisans.) The show boasts one-day workshops and appearances by many of the Who’s Who in our industry, including Dean Sickler, Carolina D’Ayala Valva, Lori Wilson and George Zaffle. A recent addition to the schedule is Walter Cipriani teaching Scagliola — in fact, my friend Theresa Cheek recently included his work in her Scagliola and Pietra Dure blog post. Also added was Airbrush Master, Dru Blair — he of the very famous portrait that is not a photograph. How cool to include the many other disciplines in art that can be incorporated into our industry and businesses.
One of the more important and philanthropic events is the creation of paintings to benefit two organizations: The Ronald McDonald House and Give Kids the World. Artisan Keith Goodson will be among those creating those canvases — that should be an incredible sight to see! There will also be an exhibition hall that boasts the creations of murals from start to finish as well as manufacturers and vendors. Check out the Instructor List — the caliber is really quite amazing. The complete Schedule and list of Classes are also on the Faux Expo site. You can also keep track of the event via a great Facebook page. The registration and classes are affordably priced and, of course, you can always count on staying some extra time to visit Orlando. Let me know if you are coming in!
WINNER: RACHEL RUCKS SEJAS, ARTISAN
About a month ago, I posted about the contest The Faux Retreat launched to search for a Monitor for the Spring workshops — and I’m glad to announce the winner is Rachel Rucks Sejas! Rachel owns and runs The Painted Lady and she is based out of Memphis, TN. She also has an eponymous blog you should check out. In fact, she had a really beautiful post about the entire competition and how her inspiration board came into play. (LOVE stories like that.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I was one of the judges and let me tell you…it was a tough decision. So many who applied were wonderful, deserving artisans and I wish there were multiple prizes to give away. My fellow judges were organizer Kathy Boyd, Spring Retreat instructors Laine Discepoli and Dean Sickler and fellow artisans Jeff Monsein and Sass Lassley — I’m sure each of them would say the same thing. So, Rachel — congratulations again! I hope you enjoy the camaraderie at The Faux Retreat and I look forward to reading your posts about the experience!
I’ve talked about the Faux Retreat before. It’s a whole new take on a European idea — the artisans live together in one house and share the costs of both the instructors and the living expenses. To get more of an idea on this beautiful week of workshops held in the Spring and Fall, please visit their comprehensive site. The next course, the Spring Faux Retreat, will be held the week of May 1 – 5, 2010 in Spooner, Wisconsin. The class instructors will be Dean Sickler and Laine Discepoli, with special mini-classes on Aurastone and business upselling techniques.
(Here’s the artisans from the Fall 2009 Faux Retreat. I heard the bear just kinda showed up but fit right in — even made some great boards!)
The reason for my post? The Faux Retreat founders are searching for a class monitor for the Spring workshop– a “not for monetary position awarded to an artist who has been chosen by a group of instructors and others in the decorative finishing community.” Although not compensated, the artisan will receive the following; lodging, food, class notes and techniques, fellowship with other students and bonus mini classes. I’m on the Retreat Monitor Selection Committee and I think it’s an amazing opportunity for the right person. Think it’s something for you? Click here to read more about the program, duties and fill out the application. The deadline for submission is February 28th. Much luck! :)
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.
Recently, Jason Lucas and Anthony Pinkston teamed up to bring professional artisans a complete resource website, Method Finishing. Their motto is “The Nuts and Bolts of Decorative Finishing”. It is a subscription-based website but even if you do not sign up, there are many complimentary resources available. As you enter each of their site’s areas, there is someone telling you exactly what that page contains. I’m not one to like hearing music when I enter a website, but that is a pretty cool feature.
If you go to their Video section, they have 30 second ads and hi-res pictures for each of their Methods (Recipes), which you can choose to purchase individually. An area that is quickly becoming a fave of mine is their Resources. It lists product manufacturers, colors and a resource glossary. (That colors link is a sample page and is an area for subscribers only.) I love how they list all the organizations, forums and online sites available for professional finishers. (I once thought to write a blog post about that but there it is all in one page. Nice!) I do have to say that it warms my heart to see the Fauxology blog listed as a resource under Blogs and Online Publications. (Thanks, fellas!) They also have cool Galleries to gain inspiration from.
The subscription runs $35/month and they have a Professional subscription which runs $105/quarter — namely, $26.25 per month. During the year, there will be roughly 56 finishes sent to each subscriber, so it averages out to about $7.50 per video recipe. The professional subscription actually receives more — about 64 new finishes per year. (Side note: I’m not ashamed to say I needed a calculator for that one. I’m an artist not a mathematician, folks. Ironically, I married a past state champion for Math. How’d that happen?!?) I hope you get a chance to review their site and access further information about the program. They even have a Facebook page. Let me know what you think!
While artisans handpainting murals and trompe l’oeil will never go out of style, digital murals have become quite the rage. One of its leaders is the wonderful Architexture company who introduced TattooWall, digital images transferred onto an interior or exterior space giving an “affresco effect”. Recently, Michael Ybarra, Director of Sales & Marketing, took the time to discuss years vs. days.
Q: There must be resistance by some artists. Is there a misconception about TattooWall?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions about Tattoowall is that it takes work away from muralists and traditional artists. It’s not the taking away of work, but a way of expanding their businesses. Artists can save time by creating their art small, and printing it large with Tattoowall. Generally, a client will hire an artist because they like the particular style of that artist. Since an artist [has] 24 hours in a day, he is limited to what he can physically handle in the time he devotes to his art. Tattoowall allows that artist to handle multiple, detailed projects in a short amount of time. The artist can even work with a chain of stores or restaurants across the country and execute original artwork simultaneously in various locations. They can spend more time on creativity and less time on the physical application, sometimes in awkward positions on ladders or scaffolding.Tattoowall also allows the artist to incorporate their faux finishing skills into and around the mural to create an overall balance of art and style throughout an entire business or residence. This also becomes more cost effective for the client. Another misconception in the market has been that commissioning a mural was not often financially achievable and now Tattoowall makes it more affordable.
Above: Imagery provided by Decorative Imaging
Q: What are some of the newest or innovative products you have in your products?
A: Besides Tattoowall, the Urbantattoo product lets us take the artist’s work many steps further by putting the artwork onto leather, mosaics, glass, aluminum, wood floors, and [other] surfaces. This opens so many opportunities for the artists and designers to get creative, knowing their work can be on virtually any surface.
Q: How do you go about creating new designs?
A: With Tattoowall and UrbanTattoo the creativity comes from the artists and designers. Plus, we have an extensive image library that is constantly growing, which allows new artists to gain more exposure for their work. This adds great diversity to the options that are available to the client.
Q: Where do you see your industry heading in the future?
A: Where many other industries have been assisted by technology, the field of Art often seems to lag behind. As artists and designers know, traditional murals can become very labor intensive. Tattoowall is now a tool that has been provided by technology to make the mural process easier. With Tattoowall, I see traditional artists sharing their creative vision and getting more exposure for their talent, all the while improving the efficiencies in their operations and growing their business.
Architexture offers workshops to teach artisans on the hows of this fascinating option. It’s a 2-day class ranging between $645 – $695 and Michael explains the course: “It includes hands-on application, gilding, glazing and troubleshooting. We cover the history of fresco and Tattoowall, technical explanations and how to work with clients throughout the process. We also discuss Urbantattoo and its many capabilities in the design world. For half of the second day, we coordinate with a local business for an on-site Tattoowall application, giving the students real, hands-on experience outside of the classroom setting. The certification courses are designed to help the artists learn how to take on large projects and grow their businesses.”
Of course, you can also see their video presentation or their step-by-step guide to see if it’s for you. They also have quite a comprehensive FAQ page and you can even order a sample kit to play with. Coincidentally, I met owner Gaia Calcaterra when she was visiting the HD Boutique show. It was a true pleasure to meet her — she’s very charming. Well, I do thank Michael Ybarra for giving us such great information about the exciting Architexture offerings. It’s always great to think outside the box — and, of course, finding out about all the options we can offer our clients.
