Patina Studios

Merry, Merry!

2011-12-20T15:16:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Veggie Tales

2011-11-03T12:25:00.003-05:00

My last project was fun. It pays to be versatile as an artist, you never know what's gonna pop up! Scenes from a kitchen soffit--bold colors and detailed veggies and fruit make for a colorful kitchen in this artistic, creative home.

Interior Design: Jill Rice

Goodbye Summer, Again

2011-10-13T12:19:00.000-05:00

Though it has been a beautiful Fall season, it's always a little sad knowing what's coming. You all know how I hate winter! Parting shot. Oh to be sitting in the garden on a warm summers day---

Playing with Light

2011-09-18T09:26:00.001-05:00

I've been so negligent with posting lately, so sorry. I recently finished a table that literally glows with light. Formerly a somewhat dated faux marbled lacquer piece, it was sanded, primed, and repainted in a subtle, warm silver metallic. A form of graining, it now has an updated modern feel that works well with the style of her home. Personally, she is wonderful at photographing changing light on perfectly balanced vignettes and tablescapes throughout her home. I'm hoping for more photos in the future.

Down on my Knees

2011-07-24T16:54:00.003-05:00

Recently finished a concrete basement floor painted to look like old wood planks. Lots of crawling around for an old guy like me, but the results were the payoff.

Summer Garden

2011-07-05T16:44:00.000-05:00

Here are a few shots from late Spring, through early July, before our recent heat blast. Trying to keep everything watered, but we need rain!

Back Down...

2011-06-05T16:26:00.000-05:00

into the wine cellar. Here's a pic of a painting I did for the opposing end of the wine cellar. (The one with the 3 part landscape/wine country mural.) Amazing collection of wine, filled to the brim--I think they need to add on another room!

Real Distress

2011-05-05T13:59:00.001-05:00

While we're on the subject of kitchens; here's the most recent. The original dark wood cabinets were painted, distressed, and over glazed. Beautifully detailed cabinets take on a lighter yet classic look. The new treatment brightened the area and shows off the detail in the frieze of the cornice, the pegged, distressed, and worm-holed wood, and the hardware that formerly blended in.
Interior Designer--Spencer Scanlan
Cabinet base painting--Capitol Painting

Etc......

2011-04-14T13:51:00.000-05:00

More pics of the finished kitchen...

Faux Distress

2011-03-21T11:27:00.001-05:00

I recently finished a cabinet job of the "faux" variety. The cabinets were newly installed and base painted. My job was to faux distress them. Looks like we've actually distressed to a dark wood, but alas, not. The client gets a more soulful aged look without actually beating up the new cabinets. A great alternative if changes are to be made later by the current or a subsequent owner of the house. The cabinet hardware,new lighting, and wallpaper are yet to be installed. It will be a beautiful new kitchen with old house warmth.
Interior Designer--Anna Fitzwater

Parting Shots

2011-02-21T11:04:00.002-06:00

Here are a few pictures of the finishing touches added on my last painting day. The room will eventually have a chandelier, wall sconces, and a wine barrel sink, and (of course) more wine! I'm working on a still life painting on canvas for the other half of the room. More pics later.

Chill Factor

2011-02-01T15:48:00.003-06:00

As many of you can attest, I'm home watching the great Midwest Blizzard of 2011! I decided not to attempt to get back to the wine cellar mural today, (and probably not tomorrow either) as we're expecting at least a foot of snow. Soooo---here are a few pictures of the progress.
Things are going well, I'm in a quiet secluded area, and have the space to myself. The only drawback is the somewhat chilly temperature that all those bottles of great wine require to stay great. (56-58 degrees) Good for the wine, not so good for a cold natured guy like me. I dress in layers and I'm holding out. On a day like today, that room would feel downright cozy.

Down In The Cellar...

2011-01-15T20:38:00.001-06:00

I'm working on a new mural. Here's a pic of the space before the sketches and approval process.

New Challenges

2010-12-29T12:04:00.003-06:00

I love the week after Christmas, the stress of finding the perfect gifts, hosting a fabulous party, or simply being a good guest, has passed and we can all look forward to a bright and shiny new year. A sort of "start-over" phase in all our lives.

I have a wonderful new client who I consider a good friend, even though we met a very short time ago. A bundle of energy, she maintains a huge historic home and finds time to entertain and hold charity functions throughout the year.

I recently finished a stairwell to the lower level, a relaxing place for family and friends, apart from all of the commotion her busy lifestyle requires. It features a mural with broken out plaster and old stone walls. I've painted several dragons peering out from the stone-- a whimsical touch that echoes my new friends personality. Here's a peek of the mural in progress.

Happy Holidays!

2010-11-29T11:17:00.005-06:00

The holidays are quickly approaching, can we get everything done?
I've been having a great time this November creating outdoor holiday pots and various natural decor. I've been working with Mary Barnes, (my great friend and former business partner, and now a landscape designer for Pinnacle Lawncare) who's been in a pre-holiday crunch. A relatively new concept for the Midwest, we filled outdoor pots with lush holiday greenery--- bright red berries, magnolia leaves, pine cones, lights, and ornaments. Each job is originally designed on site using hand picked fresh greenery and ornamentation. Talk about getting into the spirit--it really worked for me.
Too late for pictures this year,but if you are interested please visit Pinnacle's website---pinnaclelawncare.com

Happy Holidays to one and all!

Goodbye Summer

2010-10-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

The Autumnal Equinox has come and gone, time for the arrival of a new season. Here are a few parting shots

Heaven's Gate

2010-09-09T11:47:00.005-05:00

Recently I received a call from a client who had purchased an antique gate, imported from France that she had installed in an an outdoor patio area. She was concerned about the finish and asked me to take a look. Though the finish was gorgeous, it was flaking off and virtually crumbling. Any object that's constantly exposed to the elements (particularly iron), in our Midwest extremes in temperature decomposes at an accelerated rate. I could hold off the disappearing paint finish for a while with a spar varnish, but rust was taking a hold on the piece.
Since my client wanted to continue using the piece on the terrace and wanted it to last for many years, our only option was to strip off the crumbling paint and give it a new, but antique look. The gate was sandblasted and delivered for a new paint job.
Before I started sanding and priming the raw metal,I was lucky enough to scrape off a section that exposed a beautiful French green. The piece had been mostly white, with an area down under that was apparently painted green decades ago. A flight of fancy on the part of an anonymous french owner. A work in progress, the piece as of today, has at least 6 layers of paint. I'm still working with the owner on the perfect balance. I'll try to get more pictures when the piece is installed on her beautiful patio.

Subtle Color

2010-08-09T10:45:00.006-05:00

I recently finished two murals in a home that illustrate the importance of scaling tonal coloration. The first, an entry, called for very subtle color. Because the space contains an entry door and several large windows, painting anything too bold would be fragmented by these openings and detract from the architecture of the room. I was able to bring colors from the adjoining living and dining rooms to subtly join the entry into the area.
The second, contained in a niche off of the entry could support a bolder approach. It's a niche used by the client as a music area containing a grand piano and a beautiful harp. I repeated the same colors, though brighter in intensity and deeper in tone. Now the entry isn't a foreign entity, and the music area is bold enough to shine through to the other rooms as a focal point for the whole area.

Fireworks

2010-07-05T22:50:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone had a great holiday. At least the garden wasn't a wash out! Great long weekend with old friends from down Austin way. Here are a few more pictures--

First Day of Summer

2010-06-21T21:32:00.002-05:00

Time has flown since my last garden post, a blizzard on the first day of Spring. Things have changed. Thanks to regular rainfall and great weather, the garden is in full bloom. Here are a few pictures from earlier this spring. I'll update with more pics this weekend.

Studio Closing

2010-04-29T21:02:00.007-05:00

I must apologize for not keeping up with the blog. I've been busy with comissioned work and moving the studio to my home. It's finally Spring in all it's glory and I'll be at the home studio with the garden.

First Day of Spring

2010-03-21T13:28:00.000-05:00

What a long , long snowy winter this has been-- and here we are on the first day of Spring with another round. On the bright side, the crocus are blooming and the buds are swelling- it won't be long now--here's to Spring--the warm variety!

Bright and Shiny

2010-01-04T12:46:00.002-06:00

A bright and shiny New Year to everyone. The wish of a white Christmas came true---
with a bang--and now we all have hopes of a quick January thaw.

Speaking of bright and shiny-- I recently finished a great table in distressed silver leaf. Meticulously finished with hundreds upon hundreds of ultra thin sheets of real silver leaf, the project required a total "Zen" approach. Staying calm through the frustrations was indeed a challenge. The finish, applied to a new factory made table with good lines in a somewhat modern contemporary style, it benefited from a coat of black enamel underneath, some distressing, and an over glaze. The result brought in the clean modern lines that are so popular today, the "Mad Men approach" with soul.
Perfect for it's home, a light filled art gallery interior with select warm wood antique accents and contemporary art.

Merry, merry

2009-12-23T21:40:00.002-06:00

Happy holidays to all!

More Black

2009-11-07T16:13:00.002-06:00

Whether contrasted with white or used in combination with warm dark wood, black is a classic. Here are a few more pics.

Paint It Black

2009-10-03T22:15:00.007-05:00

Good song, good advice. When all else fails, paint it black. Many renowned interior designers have espoused the need for a touch of black in every room. From lampshades to bookshelves to entire rooms--- black makes a statement. A classic, grounded neutral with drama.

Depressing or confining? Nope, not to me. Dark colors (and neutrals) actually make a room feel larger. The walls and corners recede and the parameters of the room totally disappear.

Black is magic; it can make things disappear. Weird things, ugly things, functional but ugly things. Chain link fencing, the back sides of stop signs, electronic equipment, whatever bothers---go black.

Black makes a great partner, especially paired with another neutral, white. Think classic bathrooms, 50's diners, tuxedos, penguins. Can't beat it.

And it can be a shining star of it's own.

As hoped, interior designer Spencer Scanlan has provided a few more pictures. Spencer's use of black not only makes an architectural statement, it shows off his accessories very aptly in this well balanced room.

Grapes of Wrath

2009-09-03T08:19:00.011-05:00

A great childhood memory is walking to a little bungalow close to my elementary school to purchase grapes--a nickel a sack. A variety of Concord, I believe, they were a taste explosion at the end of every summer. Yes, so full of seeds that you virtually had to chew and spit with each grape, but the flavor was incredible. I remember the mess in the kitchen when my mom made grape juice or jelly, mashing the grapes through a colander to remove the seeds and skins. Purple, purple everywhere.

When we first purchased the house over 20 years ago, a neighbor gave me a start of the very same variety. Though we have gone through several deck reconstructions, I have kept that little vine; which now climbs up over the pergola extending it's tendrils over 5o feet. In the summer it provides deep shade from the hot sun over the deck, a wonderfully cool, relaxing place with a great view of the garden and fish pond. It's fun to watch as the vines bloom and grow into huge bunches of green grapes that hang gracefully down from the arbor.

Then they ripen. The smell is wonderful, like having your own personal winery. The mess-- not so cool. Opossums love them. They crawl through the grapes overhead each night and every morning I awaken to a carpet of grapes on the deck. Purple, purple everywhere.
Still, I wouldn't give them up. What a perfect place to enjoy the cooler weather. A glass (or three) of wine, some cheese, crusty bread and good friends. A stunning setting for a Sunday brunch before the game. And memories, lots and lots of good memories.

In Memoriam

2009-08-14T12:00:00.011-05:00

As beautiful as the end of summer and early fall can be, I always feel melancholy this time of year. The exuberance and pure joy of spring has long passed and the lazier days of summer are on the wane. We all know that winter is inevitable. To lose a friend at this time of year can bring on the cold, early blizzard we weren't expecting so soon.
My good friend and former business partner of many years, Doug Barnes, recently passed. Never one to desire the limelight, he was a driving force behind the scenes of the business that his wife Mary built out of the garage in their backyard.

I will never forget the very first job I worked with Doug and Mary at Patina, more than 20 years ago. We were all hanging precariously off extension ladders and planks two stories above a marble tile floor. (Made all the worse by my constant knee knocking) I soon learned we were all safe and secure.

Doug was a master at handcrafted scaffolding; working out a plan to move us down circular staircases, huge walls, whatever it took to complete the job without risking harm to the crew. Doug was always the first to test out his work, never allowing any of us access to anything he built without testing it first. We were all (and still are) appreciative of the meticulous attention he paid to every aspect of the job. At the time, I was somewhat irritated by the daily shaking and precision folding of the drop cloths or staying way past working hours to clean up the slightest fly spec of spattered paint. I find myself doing the same things today. Socially, he was charming, witty (very dry), and politically astute. A great husband, father, friend.

Thank you, Doug. None of us will forget you and the impact you had on our lives.

Needless to say, my heart goes out to Mary, their beautiful daughter Haley, and all of the family.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, August 17th, at Unity Village in Lee's Summit.

Project: Restoration

2009-08-06T11:07:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite jobs over the years was the restoration of an old Italian plaster bas relief hanging. Purchased from a local antique dealer, one of the two sculptures was used outdoors and subjected to the elements. The original color was totally bleached to white, rain had pitted the old plaster, and black mold had started a colony. They were both magnificent pieces, the abused one--well worth the effort. Each piece was approximately 4' square; the figures and protruding elements of the plaques were at least 9 inches in depth. Based on a musical theme, they depicted Italian youth, cherub-like, and their musical instruments in great detail.

Old plaster, being a very porous material, could not be primed or painted with opaque paints, it required cautious experimentation with colored glazes to retain the look of the original work. (Looking back, I regret that I didn't ask permission to create rubber molds of several sections for recasting.) They are truly stunning creations. The client was so pleased with the restoration, she asked the dealer to locate a third plaque which I restored on site in her home where the other two were displayed. It was truly a joy to have these pieces in my studio and have the chance to restore them to their former glory.

A Jewel Box

2009-07-27T15:08:00.012-05:00

Very often I'm asked for advice on paint treatments for powder bathrooms. If there is one room in the house that can be transformed dramatically, it's the powder bath. Many mistakenly feel the need to keep the rooms light in color, particularly the rooms with no natural light. I recommend just the opposite. Go dark, very dark and dramatic, but rich, like a jewel box.

Metallic finishes work very well in these cases. The whole room takes on a warm comforting glow and the reflective surfaces make the room appear much larger. Guests love the "wow " factor and the feeling that the room was designed just for them, the honored guests. Here are a few of my all time favorites--

Interior Designer: Spencer Scanlan

Faux Real?

2009-07-01T15:04:00.001-05:00

Recently, I was introduced to a great blog many of you are either familiar with or have heard about. Mrs. Blandings--(mrsblandings.blogspot.com) A local talent, her writing is both insightful and witty, her blogs full of beautiful photos and illustrations. She has written articles for several shelter magazines, both national and local. Those of you living under a rock, or too busy to check it out (apparently both for me) should do yourself a favor and investigate.
In a recent post, Mrs. Blandings (aka Patricia Shackelford) briefly discussed faux painting. As a decorative painter for many years, I just knew in my heart the decorative painting profession would be slammed again. Soapbox warning, BIG soapbox-
It's still a sore subject for me as I recall an incident over four years ago. I had worked in the field for over 15 years when I signed a multi-year lease on a new studio in midtown. The next morning, over coffee and the Sunday paper, Style section, I saw the headline--Flush All Faux Finishes Down The Drain. I was mortified.
I understood the logic behind the statement. The term "Faux" had been, (and still is) overused and totally misused. We had reached a point where badly executed sponge painting and assorted do it yourself make-over techniques (learned free at the local discount store) were considered "faux". False! A true Faux finish is one that accurately depicts a reality. There are faux furs--look real. Faux marble, faux Bois (wood), faux granite, faux stone, all, if rendered properly, look like the real thing.
Sponging, ragging, glazing, colorwashing, and old European techniques are NOT faux finishes. They are decorative painting techniques, or as the English call them, broken color work. All legitimate, yes, if done properly.
One more comment before I step down from my soapbox--I'm not a faux painter- I'm very real. I was just introduced by a designer to her client as "fake" this week, lol. I'm through, honest.
Back to Mrs. Blandings---thanks for showing pictures of well done work, that was ,indeed, really Faux, and for stating not all Faux is bad. (or flushable) Decorative painting is, and will always be, a valued design element in any room. It's just not all Faux.

In It's Place

2009-06-07T21:51:00.002-05:00

As promised, I'm posting a picture of the completed "Good Eye find" I profiled in April.

The once ugly duckling secretary is now right at home in it's beautiful surroundings, the home of interior designer Spencer Scanlan. I've worked with Spencer for over twenty years witnessing countless beautiful interiors in his client's extraordinary homes. He's my go-to man for any design question that comes to mind. (and as I mentioned has a very good eye.) I'll be begging Spencer for more pictures to share in the future.

It's A Wonder

2009-05-08T20:10:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about working as a decorative painter and muralist is never having to repeat the same project. Sure, some of the techniques I use are the same, but seldom, if ever, have I done the same thing twice in exactly the same way. Different colors, subject matter, or just a twist, here or there in the process makes each job unique. Keeps you on your game creatively. You just never know what will pop up with each new client.

Another "first" for me recently was a mural depicting one of the Seven Wonders of the World- specifically, the Taj Mahal. A bit intimidating initially, awesome architecturally, it took some creative thinking to paint it's essence without adding all of the time robbing details of every stone. Painted on a large wall in a meditation room, it needed to be both calming and inspiring.

In the end, it's absolute power as a well known landmark made it easier to pull off.

I added a second "Taj" as a travel poster in the young son's bedroom done in a world travel theme. It contains a huge wall painted with the world map, along with more travel posters- a giant Panda representing China and a local architectural feature showing "home". It's a great room for the 3-year old to grow up with as he travels with his family learning geography along the way.

A Good Eye

2009-04-06T11:14:00.003-05:00

The latest project is another find from the usual haunts. My friend and favorite local designer immediately spotted a piece I had passed right by. I have a good eye for finding hidden treasures, but my friend is better than I. Looking back, what appeared to me as a piece with interesting details, in vibrant orange red, had all the charm of a rolling garage tool cabinet. Live and learn--he saw the potential. The results are spectacular. We began by stripping this somewhat eclectic piece of unnecessary adornment-- detailed brass goo-gaws and designs made out of upholstery tacks. (really) Cleaning, sanding, priming, and a good coat of basic black paint transformed this ugly duckling immediately. The interior of the upper drawer, which folds out to expose cubby holes, drawers, and a writing surface was painted in a muddy olive green and over glazed. The top book rail and side metal mesh panels (pot metal) were stripped, cleaned, and painted for an aged brass look. The addition of Porturo (black and gold) marble on the upper columns and gold detailing on the drawers and sides of the piece really made it sparkle. We're waiting for new drawer pulls which will complete the transformation. A perfect small secretary- who knew? The moral of the story? Don't judge a book by it's cover- or take a talented friend with you when you are scouring your favorite haunts. I'll post more pics when the piece is totally complete and in it's chosen setting.

Painted Ladies (or Gents)

2009-03-01T14:32:00.002-06:00

Pick up any interior design magazine and it seems painted and distressed furniture is making a big comeback. (It never went anywhere in my world). In particular, a two page spread in the March issue of House Beautiful. Check out those prices! There is something very soulful, grounded, and unpretentious about painted furniture. It looks as if it's been passed down through generations of use, if not loving care. Whether it's called Wabi-Sabi, Old English, or French Country, the look is homey, comfortable, and easy to live with. An added scratch, bump, or accidental spill just adds to the beauty and realism of the piece. Great for kids and dogs, lol.

Lately, I've become addicted to Craig's List furniture section. If you look past all the misinformation, misspellings, and such, there are great bargains to be had on antique and retro furniture. Even the scariest dark Victorian furniture can be painted and refreshed. Try buying real wood these days, much less, anything that will hold up as long as these pieces have over the years. Oops, gave away another great source-see my last post for other options finding great stuff cheap. A little paint and creativity and you've transformed an inexpensive cast-off into a treasure.

Newly purchased or custom made pieces can take on a centuries old patina with the proper technique. My current project is a cabinet designed for the end of a bed which holds a flat screen TV. Push the remote and the "antique blanket chest" opens up as the screen rises to the perfect viewing height. The perfect disguise!

If any of these ramblings piqued your interest in painted furniture, pick up a few magazines, find the perfect piece and take a creative leap. Oh yeah, we have a furniture class coming in April, lol.

Sharing Secrets

2009-02-01T12:28:00.002-06:00

For quite a few minutes now, I've been staring a blank screen on my laptop. Should I give away information on my secret haunts- those wonderful places I visit to find extraordinarily cheap and yet perfect accessories? Here goes-

First, ( I don't feel bad about this one) - Habitat ReStore is located near Front street and the Chouteau Bridge at 4701 Deramus Avenue. Chock full of mostly used merchandise, I've found many great buys over the years. Gallons of paint, great quality, just mismatched color. Vintage tile by the box, windows and doors, some with leaded and stained glass. Brand new jute and sisal rugs, rubber backed. All kinds of wood, cabinet doors, and trim I use for sample work in my business. Even entire kitchens of matching cabinetry, all at very cheap prices. The best part- all of the profits go to building new homes for the needy through Habitat for Humanity. Help yourself and our environment by keeping all of that stuff out of the landfill---please!www.restorekc.org

Secondly, (this one I'd prefer to keep secret) - Urban Mining Homewares is located near 39th and Main. It's open the first weekend of every month. I've gone every month for a couple of years now, and never failed to find something I couldn't live without. Lots of furniture, retro and antique, waiting to be refinished or re purposed. For Valentine's Day I found a small hand painted card in an old oak frame for less than the price of a standard greeting card. I bought an Empire period pedestal table, stripped off the veneer on the top and painted a new faux marble one- a steal at $60.00! Very cool people, with the right mindset- reuse, recycle, have fun. Some events benefit local charitable organizations- it's a win-win! http://www.urbanmininghomewares.com/

I'll have more at another time, too many secrets for one day!

It's All In The Details

2009-01-01T13:20:00.002-06:00

As a decorative painter, I strive for that "perfect" wall finish. Walls free of dry glaze lines, with toned corners, and an overall even appearance in pattern and sheen. Every bit as important are the smallest of details. Today's modern homes contain an over-abundance of mechanical and electrical devices necessary for alarm systems, heating and air conditioning, whole house vacuums, and audio-visual equipment. In-wall speakers, motion and smoke detectors, light switches, air vents, and electrical outlets can spoil the look of that "perfect" finish. As part of my service, I've always included adding the wall finish to these minor annoyances to make them blend in. First, remove everything possible from the walls. Place the screws back in their proper places to avoid loss and easier painting. Metal or plastic should be prepped by sanding to give the material some "tooth", binding the base paint. Simply apply the base and glaze in the same manner as the walls. I never paint the actual switch or the plug-in parts of electrical outlets, as these do not hold up over time. Always tape over the 'eyes' of motion detectors and make sure any working mechanisms are not painted shut.

It may sound obsessive, but taking a little more time with these elements helps them blend into the overall finish for a more professional, seamless look.

Sweet Dreams

2008-11-14T16:15:00.006-06:00

As promised, a peek at the finished mural.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

2008-11-10T20:35:00.003-06:00

My latest mural project was inspired by the Shakespeare play. Enveloping the entire room, it depicts a clearing in a grove of trees on a beautiful evening just after dusk. There's a golden light on the horizon and the sky is darkening overhead as the stars emerge.

In keeping with the Gothic castle architecture of the home, the walls are textured and incorporate large oval "bumps" in the plaster. This required the use of a small artist's brush for most of the work. Four weeks and counting, I should finish this week. I hope to post more photos when the room is finished and re-furnished.

Imagine lying on the bed in this enchanting guest room. When the lights go off, the stars have a faint glow-- seriously.

The Holiday Rush

2008-11-03T10:42:00.005-06:00

The holiday rush is on again this year so I'm happily busy with my commissioned painting. Seems everyone wants something done in their home before Thanksgiving. (me too) We've postponed regularly scheduled classes until spring. All classes on the schedule are available by appointment for groups of 3 or more, private lessons can be reserved on Saturdays until Spring. We will offer another round of our most popular group classes by early summer. My apologies for any inconvenience. Please feel free to leave your comments or questions below or e-mail through the web site @www.learn@patinastudios.com

Outside In

2008-08-18T13:09:00.003-05:00

We've all noticed the trend in home design of bringing garden accessories, plants, and other design elements from the yard into our homes, and conversely, furnishing our decks and patios as if they were interior rooms. We're blurring the lines between in and out. Not surprisingly, this trend is starting to arrive in the field of decorative painting. I recently painted an entire half bath with botanicals resembling cottage style English wallpaper. No measureing, pasteing, stripping, and above all--no seams. The design can be changed and adapted to odd angles and architectural oddities with no "drop" or repeat in the pattern. The artist can make certain areas less obvious or draw the eye to focal areas of the room. I paint using glazes which offer a lively handpainted watercolor look without the buildup that regular paint would leave. Should the owner ever tire of the look or change decor, a simple coat of paint eliminates the work. No fuss, no muss.

For an upcoming job, I'll be painting overscale tropical botanicals in each of the corners of a dramatic formal dining room. Each will be original and designed around the furniture, windows, and arches in the room. Should be fun!

A TOTAL 180

2008-08-05T12:03:00.004-05:00

Many of us in the field of decorative painting share many similarities. whether we're pounding walls or finely painting furniture or murals, we're totally immersed in paint, glazes, and their by-products. What we do in our limited free time varies immensely, but I have found that many of us share a common hobby--gardening. Back to nature, the green movement, in many ways the total opposite of what we do in our daily lives. No matter how long, tiring or frustrating the day may have been, it's always nice to enter a totally different world at home. This spring, though late in arriving, was one of the best I can remember for gardening. Cooler temperatures and regular rain made for a beautiful season of continuous bloom. So for a break from the stifling heat of the past few days, and a complete change from the paint-speak, here are a few pictures of my garden- a work in progress.

Movable Murals

2008-06-04T12:31:00.004-05:00

A new trend in today's mobile society is to paint murals on canvas and hang them much as you would wallpaper. This method has several advantages over painting directly on a client's wall. Most importantly, the mural is strip able and can be hung in another location, or mounted on canvas stretchers and used as framed art. Secondly, the mural can be painted in the comfort of the artist's studio. No need for making appointments and working in the clients home for days on end. The painter can set his own schedule, after hours, weekends, whenever the urge strikes. Actually a win-win situation for all involved.

As the mural progresses, I send photos via the Internet to the client. I also recommend several visits to the studio for direct feedback. Before the final varnish is applied and the mural trimmed, I meet with the client and designer on location for a final consultation and color adjustment if needed.

Murals can be painted on a very low profile vinyl canvas material called cambric. It's smoother than artist canvas and so thin that it appears to be painted directly on the wall. I have used cotton or poly flax canvas with great success also. The advantage of using a woven canvas versus vinyl is the mural can be attached to canvas stretchers and framed at a later date.

Murals are gaining in popularity with more new homes with wine cellars and lower levels with more windowless rooms.

A mural should be a very personalized statement of the client's taste and interests. With this method, the mural can be stripped and rolled up for storage or a move to another location or home. As an artist, I hate the thought of murals being painted over by people who's tastes are very different from the former owners. Movable murals, problem solved.

Pentimento

2008-03-06T21:41:00.006-06:00

Pentimento: a reappearance in a painting of a design which has been painted over.
One of my favorite words, (and a wonderful short story by author/ playwright, Lillian Hellman).
A somewhat romantic, mysterious phenomenon discovered in the works of many great master painters.

For a decorative painter it can be a nightmare. Imagine glazing a room and finishing the day with the satisfaction of a job well done, only to return the next morning to find what appears to be graffiti all over the walls. It happens very rarely, but if the walls have been written on with ink or permanent markers before they were primed and painted, many glazing liquids will bring such markings to the surface. After 22 years of decorative painting it's luckily only happened a couple of times to me. In both cases the walls were not primed with an oil or shellac based stain blocking primer. Yes, the latex varieties are easier to apply, and if the walls will not be glazed, the finish coats cover with no apparent bleed through. Glazing liquids, however, with their slow drying times can reactivate the inks and pull them to the surface.
If you are like me, relying on a painting crew to prep and base coat the walls properly, you may be up for an unexpected and unpleasant surprise.

Preventative measures:
Knowledge---
If you must draw on the walls, there are pencils.
Stains, permanent markers, ink, etc. must be primed with the proper primer.

Hopefully this will never happen to you. Today was my turn, Cheers!

Torn Paper on a Snow Day

2008-02-25T19:47:00.002-06:00

The winter season has been very challenging this year. Along with all of the freezing precipitation come "snow days", when we wake up and realize it's not worth risking life and limb to leave the house unnecessarily. What to do? I look through gardening magazines and plan for Spring and watch out the window for a while. I soon realize it's a great opportunity to start a home improvement project, a "free" day to get things done. Just like the cobbler with shoeless children, I never seem to find the time (perhaps, desire) to work on my own home. Thanks to this lingering winter weather, I'm now on a total home improvement binge.
My current project is hanging torn paper. Like working a giant jigsaw puzzle, there's something very satisfying in the process. Several years ago my partners and I ran across a great method for filling in odd pieces in a hurry. When working with a partner, it's helpful to have one person tear and apply the paste several pieces at a time while the other person is hanging. The "hanger" yells out names of states for the shapes he or she needs to fill in. A long narrow Tennessee, or a mitten shaped Michigan, a Florida, etc. It makes the whole process go much faster and it's actually fun. This election year in particular, (with all the color coded state maps), even the geographically challenged can picture the shapes needed. Give it a try. Oh yea-- if you're yelling out Colorado, you're doing something wrong.

Varnish- Lost and Found

2008-01-30T19:57:00.000-06:00

For years the studio has relied on Pratt and Lambert Varnish for a variety of reasons. It's a must for our oil glaze formulas, as well as finish coats for furniture and murals. As many of you know, it's been a challenge finding P&L varnish lately since our only Kansas City supplier stopped carrying the brand. Most companies don't carry a dull or flat sheen so it was getting a bit stressful to some of us with approved samples and scheduled jobs.

I'm pleased to say the almost "lost" varnish can be found close to the city. Decorative painter (and now best friend of the studio), Judy Klote discovered Beverly Lumber Co. in Leavenworth, KS. They have locations in Platte City and Riverside, MO. Though they don't carry the varnish at all locations, they will make sure the order is transferred if you call with some notice. Jim Sullivan is the man to talk to for special orders or transfers, at the Leavenworth Store. 913-682-3273

Thanks for the tip Judy! Networking with other artists in the field is very beneficial for us all. Everyone interested, please feel free to use this blog for comments, questions, or suggestions for future posts.

The new generation part 2

2008-01-19T21:00:00.000-06:00

Here are a few examples of decorative finishes for the younger generation discussed in the previous post.

The horizontal stripes are sleek and fresh yet maintain a classic traditional feel. A ragged glaze over the entire wall is followed by a second layer of strie'.

The zebra stripes are hand painted in a dark chocolate over a cream basecoat, then glazed.

The new generation, tweens to teens

2008-01-16T21:41:00.000-06:00

As a decorative painter for 20 years, I've worked with clients on interiors that are, for the most part, traditional, classic, and timeless. More of my clients are creating beautiful homes that are classic in architecture with all the latest advances in technology. Wine cellars, home theatres, gyms and spas, all call for new directions and creativity in creating decorative finishes that are classic and traditional with a modern twist.

One of the most intriguing trends of late are the huge suites of rooms for the children. Private or hidden play rooms, media centers, huge closets, study areas, and huge baths befitting the masters of the house all need to be decorated with a modern, fresh approach that appeals to the next generation. The tweens and the teens-- what to do with their areas of the house without completly compromising the approach taken in the rest of the home?

A few thoughts-
Start with color- brighter versions of the parents aesthetic
Turn it on it's side- take traditional stripes and make them horizontal, sleek and modern
Make it wild- add animal print motifs, zebra stripes or leopard spots as accents
Bring it back -the 60's in flower power art for play rooms and baths