Fauxology: Studying the Visual Magic of Faux Finishing and Interior Design (brought to you by Garay Artisans)

Hi, Everyone!  Well, tomorrow (Saturday, 8/16) is The Day!  I’ve talked about The Fauxtastic Four before and gave you a preview of what was coming.  Well, we’ve decided to change our moniker and re-christened ourselves: The Wall-nuts!  (No offense is intended to any ceiling or any other surface.  My name is Regina Garay and I approve this message.) 

We are getting together to check out the recipes in Gary Lord’s book “It’s Faux Easy”.  (Do click on the Fauxtastic Four link above to read a little more in-depth about our plan…it’s been a long day and Momma’s tired.) 

My husband, Chris, and Sharon Adelman’s husband, Chad, have been working diligently this week to put our podcast tech tools together to ensure that the four Wall-nuts can talk all about our first adventure.  Thank you so much, Chris and Chad!  I’ll try to post the entries up as fast as I can.  Not sure the world is ready for us gabbing away (someone is bringing Mimosas, I think) but there it is…

Until then!

Thank you for coming to Part Two of our Faux-cus on the Pros interview with Sisters Hands.  If you haven’t yet read Part One, please click here. 

What is wonderful about Sisters Hands is that they are planning to continue sharing their decorative painting knowledge.  Their website, recently launched, will soon feature great articles, recipes and a Q&A area.  A newsletter will also launch in the Fall. They will also have product reviews, fun stories and a few more surprises in mind for all.  How cool is that?!?  I’ll definitely be visiting often — I’m going to nominate myself as a long-lost cousin, LOL!

Here’s Part Two of our interview with the “sisters”…

Professionally, who are some of your inspirations?

Patty Henning says: Early in my career I was inspired by my first FE Instructor, Julie Robinson, who opened my world to professional finishing products and just a hint of what could be created with them.  Where else do I find inspiration?  Other creative artists.  Being an avid web user, I have a natural tendency to seek resources there. With so many fellow artists on forums such as Murals Plus or Talk Faux, I find it a great source of inspiration to see their work, be it a photo of a room just completed or a new finish in the creation phase.  Often, when I feel a connection with an artist’s style, I will check out their website or blog, bookmark it and revisit it in the future.  It’s a great way to get the creative juices flowing.  Professional businesses that offer new and exciting products, tools or design ideas, such as Royal Design Studio, Modello Designs, and Faux by Kathy motivate me. Lastly, it’s not so much who as a what.   I love looking through printed literature that focuses on home design and style.  My favorite author is Betty Lou Phillips.  Magazines and books are a great source of inspiration for me, and a great tool to help a client envision just what I can offer for their space.

What is the most positive/fulfilling project you have ever done? 

Judy Norman says: My most positive/fulfilling project I have ever done was working with a designer who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Denise and I had originally met at a local bible study and worked together for several years.  Her cancer had progressed and she had been extremely ill right before Thanksgiving two and one half years ago. I went to visit her when she came home from the hospital and I asked her if there was anything I could do for her thinking she would ask for meals, housecleaning, etc.. She said her 11 year old daughter wanted her room painted and would I have time to do that before Christmas.  I said we need to do something more than just paint and together Denise and I came up with a color scheme for her daughter. I pushed other work to later dates as I was convinced that she would not live to see Christmas. I gathered the products and went to work painting neon green walls with large black bagged flowers and hot pink centers. I painted the ceiling fan hot pink and used the three colors to create some unusual patterns on the ceiling. Her daughter chose 3 designs from about 10 different samples I had made for her.  I also found a picture frame in hot pink and neon green so she could have a picture of her mom close by. It was such a bright room I imagined the little girl might having some trouble sleeping at night, but she was thrilled with how it turned out and said she sleeps well. Denise wanted to pay me for the room and I said absolutely not!  This is a gift to you and your daughter and it is my pleasure to do this for you. We visited quite a bit over the next 18 months before Denise lost her battle with breast cancer. I can’t express how much joy she gave me in my life and this was such a small thing that I could do for her. Even though it isn’t a fancy high end finish, it is the most fulfilling project I have ever had.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have received?

Elaine Castronovo says: I chose to answer this question with somewhat of a twist.  Some of the best advice I have received about my career came from outside of the industry, from individuals and sources that were unexpected but welcome nonetheless.  Sometimes if you take a moment to really listen to what people have to say, it can change your course or keep your head above water. Before attending my first professional class, I ran into a neighbor/friend at a local grocery store.  We stopped to talk briefly.  I don’t know that she will ever know how much her words of wisdom affected me then and how they still ring true.  When I told her how I was second guessing everything, business decisions and dealing with the guilt of leaving my family to further my education she simply said to me: ”Being a Mom and staying home with children, making them your focus, your world becomes very small.  Go away to your class - you will never regret it.” And oh how right she was.  That first class lead to many more and a whole new me, and a much bigger world. 

Another piece of advice came from a meeting that my husband had at work that was meant to pump up the employees for the benefit of the company.  The man speaking to the audience made a simple statement that still makes me stop in my tracks and I remind myself of this all the time. He asked the audience, “What is the definition of insanity?” His reply: ”Doing the same thing over and over…and expecting different results.”  This small statement keeps me in check every time I want to complain about work or the results I am getting.  And another is a quote from Connie Reeves, a cowgirl: “Always saddle your own horse.  Always know what you are doing.  Go in the direction that you are headed.”  To me, these are words to live by.  Although none of these came from professionals within the industry, they have all been the best advice that has encouraged me to keep steady, not be afraid to grow and know that I will always be learning - thoughout my career and in my life.

What is the best thing that has happened to the faux industry in the last five years?

Julie Young says: To me, the best thing that has happened to the faux industry is two-fold. The first being all of the cool, fun textures - whether it is a smooth Venetian Plaster, Marmorino, Versiplast or PlasterTex. No more sponging or ragging a colorwash to mimic texture. Most of our clients do not want to attempt a textured finish so we are in high demand. The textured finishes are so hands-on that they sell themselves… whether they are metallic or matte in color. Embossing with stencils or patterns is another asset in design. Small thin trowels are great tools for application for folks with petite hands.

The second most exciting thing to happen to the faux industry is the networking and camaraderie. You can go to any class and meet friendly willing partners in the industry. You can network thru message boards.  You can go to SALI/IDAL conventions to find like minded souls. The creativeness in our industry brings people together to collaborate and it is an awesome accomplishment.

Where do you see faux finishing heading in the future?

Renee Holder says: There are many professionals in our industry, including our group, that are making it a mission to educate the public and I believe that people are listening.  I believe that the awareness of faux and decorative painting is currently more acute than in any other time in our recent history.  I also believe that the client is more tolerant of prices now that decorative painting has become more popular and the fact that they are more educated in the time that it takes to not only apply these finishes, but all of the work that goes into a project prior to application.  Not only do we now have designers, architects and builders using our skills, we also have other trades who refer us to their clients as well, such as plumbers, electricians, tile, granite and flooring installers.  Look in any major publication and you most likely will see a decorative paint finish displayed somewhere, if not on walls, then on backdrops in advertising.  It’s basically everywhere!

For the past several years I’ve repeatedly heard that faux is on it’s way out and wallpaper is making a big comeback.  Although I keep hearing this, I’ve yet to see it happen. What I have noticed is that the wallpaper manufacturers are now trying to mimic the finishes that we apply to walls everyday.  Don’t get me wrong, I know that wallpaper will always be around, but I don’t believe it is a competitive worry.  The consumer would much rather prefer a certain look without the seams showing and the labor entailed with hanging and removing wallpaper.  They also take into consideration the fact that they can have custom color in their finishes, which is limited in the wallpaper selections. I truly believe that the future for our industry is going to continue to grow and be a strong influence in residential and commercial settings.         (End)

Well, I had a tear in my eye reading Judy’s story — what a tremendous opportunity to do something wonderful for Denise’s daughter! I bet it meant the world to her. Elaine said something really important as well: so many accomplished women never take the time to do something for themselves…when in actuality, it may be just what their own soul needs the most.  Well, it’s been a pleasure for me to transcribe this interview – I hope it’s been an enjoyable read for you!  They reinforce how rewarding it is to reach out to your fellow artisans and create a group filled with trust, respect and friendship.  In fact, the group as a whole reminds me of that famous quote: “Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.”  Please be sure to check out their individual sites as well as their Sisters Hands site…it looks to become a wonderful resource!  Have a great day!

While looking over House of Faux, I found out about artists who formed Sisters Hands, a networking and supportive resources group.  I was truly inspired by reading their story.  The ten artisans came together (nine nationwide, one abroad) by believing in “faux karma” - that if you lose your competitiveness and the fear of sharing, you will not only grow personally but your business will blossom as well.  Wow — I completely agree with this philosophy!  In our industry, some artists choose to be secretive about their techniques, their creative process or let jealousy/fear run rampant.  These artisans knew instinctively that sharing the joys of this field (along with its stresses) helps one grow, evolve and reach higher levels of artistry and camaraderie.  I had to stalk them talk to them and hope they would share with us how they came together in 2006 and how they work together today. ;)

In what was a first for our Faux-cus on the Pros series, almost the entire group was involved in the interview and tackled specific questions.  Normally, I take about five interview questions but each answer was so touching and/or had such a great message, that I decided to leave them all in and create a double-header.  So, this is Part One of our interview with Sisters Hands.  Before we get into our interview, I want to take a moment to let you know who the ten members are (in abc order) and have the chance to get to know them better by visiting their websites and seeing their outstanding work. 

Susan Bickford of Singing Walls (Nashville, TN), Marti Carroll of Fauxscapes (Baton Rouge, LA), Elaine Castronovo of Creative Lane Finishing (Pittsburgh, PA), Cindy Everett of Designer Finishes Studio (Olive Branch, MS), Patty Henning of Fabulous Finishes (Detroit, MI), Renee Holder of Artistry in Faux (Little Rock, AR), Judy Norman of Decorative Illusions (Atlanta, GA), Krista Vind of Ufauxrea (Destin, FL), Cait Whitson of Carte Blanche (Scotland) and Julie Young of Julie Art (San Diego, CA). 

Here we go!

How did you meet and begin this networking path?

Marti Carroll says: This question can be answered in many different ways depending on which sister the question is being directed to.  The answer is as diversified as the group members!  This has been an accumulation of friendships that has been formed over time. Our beginning was based on a personal desire.  I have never been one to be in the public eye, especially on public forums and I had no local finishers in which to network with.  Although I would lurk on the public forums daily, I rarely posted.  What I was looking for were finishers who would be interested in a more personal setting in which to share ideas and support.  I had made many friends in the industry through classes and conventions and decided that it was time to reach out and try to design a support network that was more intimate than a public forum.  I called a couple of friends who are respected finishers that I would like to have join in on this idea and they were very excited about it.  I set up a private message board for us to chat on and we set down a few simple rules and that was the beginning.  We are usually in contact with the rest of our group on a daily basis, discussing everything from pricing projects to how to handle a kid crisis!  We love taking classes together or taking classes from members who are teachers!  We get together once a year for our annual “faux play”, which is a fun and exciting time to share ideas and play with new products!  And when we have a project that requires a few extra hands, we know that we have our group to help us out.  Over the last three years we have supported each other both personally and professionally….we truly are sisters at heart!!

Please describe working with your Sisters.  How do you prepare and execute a commission together?

Krista Vind says: Working with other members of Sisters Hands has been a tremendous blessing in both my personal and professional life. I love what I do, but I enjoy it even more on a daily basis when I share the work, the challenges and then the beautiful results.

One of the really empowering things about being a member of a group of extremely talented and experienced artists is that I now actively seek very large projects. In the past I was reluctant, and I am sure it showed in interviews and consultations, because very large projects were just SO much to bite off for one person. A concern for me was that when taking on jobs that could last months on end, I wouldn’t be actively marketing and my business would suffer after that one project was done. I did learn this lesson firsthand early on in my career. I was really starting to enjoy some success and recognition and was so pleased when I got my first really big job.  I worked on that job for 8 months and when it was over, even though I was so proud of all the work that I had done and my high profile client was ecstatic, I found myself out beating the street trying desperately to find business. In essence, everyone had forgotten about me while I was away. Those concerns are not an issue any longer. When I take on large projects, I try to bid them so that no job will take longer than a month to complete, so the size of the job dictates how many Sisters are needed to complete it in a timely manner.

You may wonder about how this obviously affects the overall cost of a project.  When I bid Sisters projects, I include funds to cover travel expenses and labor. Generally, we call in others from the group based on the type of experience required for a particular job, the individual talents of each member as well as the geographic location of a member to the jobsite. Most often large projects are commercial (a store with an opening date) or a very large residence (someone is carrying a construction loan), so time is of the essence. The actual project price is not much different for group vs. single; it is just concentrated into a smaller time frame. When you are able to complete projects quickly, the constant change of project and scenery keep your outlook really fresh. Less time in the “execution phase” allows more time for the “design and creative phase”.

We have had the opportunity to bid projects as Sisters Hands, but for the most part, we are led by the Sister who secured the job and completed the preparations (bid, samples, etc). We are comfortable traveling anywhere to complete a commission.  Beyond the business aspects, it is not a job but a true joy to work with the talented ladies in this group. We have so much fun in all the projects we undertake, from work to “faux play” (our yearly gathering). We support each other no matter what life throws our way…..good or bad. I have no biological sisters, but I do have real sisters! 

What are some misconceptions about faux finishing that you encounter?

Cait Whitson says: The misconceptions I encounter in Scotland are various.  I chose to answer this question because I thought it might amuse to see attitudes that are 5,000 miles away and yet many of you will find them familiar.  First of all, the word “faux” is almost never used to describe decorative finishes. A faux finisher is referred to as a “specialist decorator” or a “decorative painter”. In this tiny country that is smaller than Maine and with a population of only 5 million, there is actually very little awareness of what in the USA is termed “faux” and we as a company are continually educating our clients. We have a panel van that has a description of our business on the side: Carte Blanche, Decorative Painters - Graining and Marbling, Paint Effects, Murals, Hand Painted Furniture. Despite all that information we come across people on weekly basis who will say “I’ve seen the van often……and what is it you actually do?”  I am not sure what more we can say to explain it. The terminology is misconstrued and misinterpreted regularly. I visited a client only today who said he wanted graining when he in fact wanted strie, I am asked alarmingly often if I do murals, I have been asked for dippling in the past, asked if I disturbed walls and had a designer ask if I could “do some blobby stuff”. We are often asked if the paint just does that when it comes out of the tin.

Many clients believe that good finishers can only be found in London. We constantly surprise people when we tell them that we are home grown. We even have the converse of this happening – clients who tell their friends that the work they have in their home, carried out by Carte Blanche, was actually done by a company in London. We, like all the best finishers the world over, are still fighting the sponging and bad rag-rolling image that has haunted the industry since the 80’s and the word “stencilling” is virtually a swear word.  I always think that Melanie Royals was so clever to invent the word Modello, a new word for a stencil, and I am thinking I might do the same in Scotland just so we get the opportunity to use them more often.

I think the biggest misconception is amongst the tradesmen that we work with…they are all convinced we earn an absolute fortune. I do little to dispel this as perhaps their belief, whilst at times misconceived, will turn into reality if we believe, too. 

What are some of the coolest items and/or products you’ve come across together?

Susan Bickford says: One of the most fun things we do as a group is get together once a year just to play with product and be creative.  All of us have a history with FE products, but we’ve also introduced each other to some other great product lines including Perfetto and Blue Pearl, Pro Faux, Texston, Wood Icing, American Clay, and Rosco Scenic Paints.  At last year’s gathering, we were fortunate to have some companies contribute products for us to play with.  Kathy Carroll shared some of her great Bella products as well as other products that she carries.  Misty Heath of Perfetto shared some of the new Villaggio, as well as Shimmered Suede and Portofino.  We were introduced to Blue Pearl’s great metallic glaze, and their Wood Gel Stain.  Rosco, a scenic arts company, shared their new acrylic paint line, and our favorite in that line - Crystal Gel - a great adhesive medium for a variety of thing including glass beads.  American Clay shared their Loma with us, as well as Manda Mudd, who shared their great 3 step textural product.  We all come away from our play time invigorated, producing and selling new finishes using all the new products we get to share and try out. 

…to be continued…

Phew!!!!  I myself am inspired by their thoughts and heck, all those great products to look into!  Thanks, Susan!  I found myself laughing at Cait’s designer asking for “blobby stuff” — and have also been asked if the product comes that way out of the can.  Um, no….  (Don’t even get me started on the “OH!  You do sponging!”  Sigh.)  I hope you tune in to get Part Two of our interview with Sisters Hands, including their future plans and what they say is the best thing that has happened to the faux industry.  Until then!

Black & White is probably not the first color combo that jumps to an artist’s mind when seeing a new area.  However, when I saw the fun way they were used in these rooms, I knew they would now jostle for attention in my mind (”pick me!”) along with all the other colors and finishes.  (Yes, I have a vivid imagination.)  Thought I’d share the pics.  

What I like is that paired with the furniture and treatments, the wall treatment doesn’t make this room look too “cute”…

Columns — so many finishes to choose from!  Two of the three here get a touch of whimsical stripes and a matching accent wall.

For a bright dash of color, faux flowers are glued onto the painted branches on the wall for a more three-dimensional effect.  You could build the “tree” using the Garden Room Designer Range or Exotic East Panels 114A or B.  You could also forego the flowers and try it in full relief. 

Although Black & White will always be striking together and can be more of a serious combination, it’s nice to remember that you can still have a bit of fun with it, too.  Cheers!

OK, so was there ever a doubt I would pick this book as our Book of the Month?  Especially since we were chosen to be a part of it?  I do have to say, in all seriousness, that this book is a wonderful resource for decorative artists.  It is chock-full of photographs of gorgeous rooms using the Modello decorative masking patterns in innovative and creative ways.

Modello by Design - Inspiring Images from Artists’ Portfolios is authored by Melanie Royals.  She put out a nationwide call for artists to submit their best images featuring Modellos.  As I understand it, the plan is for it to be a series of books with this one being Volume 1.  Her goal was to provide a beautiful visual guide for decorative artists to show their clients a smorgasbord of design ideas.  This book will be valuable during consultations because it is hard for some clients to visualize the proposed finished room.  The old adage certainly rings true: a picture is worth a thousand words.  These photographs will help get your ideas across or will jumpstart a new level of creative brainstorming between you and your client. 

Here are some images — it doesn’t even touch the amount of good ideas the book contains.  I didn’t even have room to post up most of my faves!  I’ve also provided the links to the artist websites, when available.  Enjoy!

Walls by Heather Mueller, Todd Oberndorfer & April Long of Metamorphosis Designs in Ogden, Utah.  The idea of “pattern everywhere” in the wrong artist’s hands could go so badly but this is Absolutely Perfect.

The stunning curved ceiling is by Katherine Enguita of the Final Detail in Fort Myers, FL. The flooring is by Joan Kingsbury of Joan K Design in Canton, MA.  Check out the floor’s curves and corner designs – super cool work.
 

I actually saw the left pic on Talk Faux a few months ago and LOVED the room.  The work is by Kris Kuchavik of Casa Bella in Waxhaw, NC.  The gorgeous ceiling on the right is by Barry Harris of Painting Elegance in Homestead, FL.  I like the idea of an additional layer of design starting outside the fixed medallion.

The accent wall on the left is by Joanie Valenti of Joanie Valenti Decorative Wall Finishes in Pittsford, NY and the peacocks on the barrel ceiling is painted by Carolyn Hewitt of Lasting Impressions in McKinney, TX.  Both are samples of outstanding work. 

The windows at left are by yours truly and the cool sink design (with the great faux on the walls) on the right is by Michele Molek of Fashionable Finishes in Southern Pines, NC.

We had three projects chosen for the book.  The first one is this room with the full ceiling view here, the second is featured above and the third is pictured below.  As a bonus, I put in the “before” pic.

Please click on the links for the available websites of the artists above — there is more beautiful work to be seen.  Love these pics?  Maybe one of them is in your area!  Have a great day!

A friend of mine (an amazing muralist, Juli Simon) recently gave me a tremendous compliment.  She told a mutual client that “whenever I speak to Regina, I always feel as if I could do anything!”.  Imagine hearing that you have that kind of impact — I was floored.  I do strive to bring positivity to everyone I meet because let’s face it: times are tough.  Bringing even an ounce of inspiration and joy into someone’s life is very fulfilling.  Many people bring that to my life but today I’m singling out one in particular: Donny Deutsch.

I first heard of him when he was a guest on The Martha Stewart Show and was talking about his CNBC show, The Big Idea.  It’s a nightly program that gives you continuous ideas, strategies and tools to live a richer life.  Each episode focuses on a different topic, for instance “Unlocking Your Creative Genius”, “Do You Have the Right Spouse for Success?”, “The Comeback Mindset”, “How to Make Good Money in Bad Times” and “The New Art of Selling”.  Mr. Deutsch and his guests are so gregarious, engaging and powerful in their manner that you cannot help but be inspired and strive to be a better person and entrepreneur every single day.  Most of the professional finishers who read this blog will agree — it’s tough jumping from being a creative artist to being a savvy businessperson.  We need all the help we can get because for most right-brain thinkers, left-brain abilities do not come easily. 

This past show struck a chord with me because it was all about having a happiness mindset.  Money does not bring happiness; Happiness brings money.  There is a strategy to bringing more happiness to your life: (1) Commit to your goals; (2) Avoid overthinking; (3) Practice acts of kindess; (4) Cultivate optimism; and (5) Replay and savor life’s joys.   That last one — wow.  We’ve all had bad days and if you can just focus on the successes that have occurred that day (i.e., what you learned from that mistake, an amazing potential opportunity presented itself or even just corresponding with everyone you needed to), it reinforces your belief in your business and yourself.  That’s just not touchy-feely-warm-fuzzies, it’s practical as all get out as well. 

I hope you check out The Big Idea (weeknights at 10 pm on CNBC).  It’ll change the way you think about your business, your job and your abilities.  What could be more inspiring than that?  Have a great day!

I’m a big fan of large prints and graphic designs but even I took a double-take on the following pics.  Each features a beautiful face painted in a bigger scale than normal…and I think both, in their individual artistic style, work so nicely in their environment.

What a fantastic way to hide an unusually trimmed wall.  Kudos to whoever dreamed this up!  Although, I’m still not totally convinced it’s all real — some of the panels and molding could be fantastic trompe l’oeil designed to fool the eye.  

This is a canvas by artist Richard Phillips entitled Shaking.  It is a tremendous focal point and works in the area perfectly. 

I’ll have to keep these creative ideas in my head for clients who’d like something a little different and fun.  I hope you’ve enjoyed these!

I enjoy using stencils in both my business and the workshops I teach.  They are so varied nowadays — from traditional to large graphic prints to thoroughly modern patterns.  The designs are just an additional beautiful “layer” to use on a technique.  Here’s what Debbie from Clermont, FL wrote to us:

Hey, Regina!  How’s everything?  Just a quick question for you, where’s the best place to get stencils?  My sister and I would like to use some for fabrics.  We are going to the UK next week.  Anything there?  

From Regina: Why, yes, Debbie — I can totally help with that!  In fact, it’s one of the questions I get asked the most.  Many people think of Michaels as the only place one can get stencils but there are other options as well.  Stencil companies abound on the web but I am going to save you a lot of Google trouble and just give you a list of our perennial favorites.  I’ll also throw in some blogs for you to visit that focus on the art of stencilling. 

Well, if you are going to be in the UK (lucky girl!), you must stop by and see the very chic Helen Morris at The Stencil Library.  Although I’ve never met her, I feel as if I do because of her gorgeous blog.  I pretty much drool over any of her designs but it’s the latest, the Larger than Life collection, that has me really excited.  Her current catalog encompasses over 3,500 designs and can be shipped world-wide.

Royal Design Studio and Modello Designs - The former is a traditional stencil company and the latter focuses on one-time use decorative masking patterns.  Each company has gorgeous designs to choose from and each site features beautiful showcases for their patterns.  Ms. Royals, an established author, also has a blog focusing on all things pattern.

Artistic Painting Studio has beautiful new designs called the Black & White collection.  The company is owned by Ms. Jennifer Ferguson who is frequently featured on HGTV.  She just recently started her own blog.

Dimensional stenciling is something that has been around for a bit but some are doing really innovating finishes with the style.  My friend, Donna, at the Sarasota School of Faux & Architectural Finishing, exclusively sells a 14mil line by Victoria Larsen that allows you to get a crisper and fuller design.  Nice!

Stencil Planet has some unusual and super cool stencils available online.  Their site is easy to navigate and has an Ideas & Tips section. 

Looking for an allover design to mimic wallpaper?  Wallovers has them!  These types of designs are available by most stencil companies but Wallovers focuses on them exclusively.  They also offer “toppers”, a smaller stencil to fill in gaps.  Trust me, you want one of those!  Mm, loving their new Roundabout design…

I just had the Mad Stencilist print me up a few of their “Say What?” stencils.  They can custom cut and font any script or quote you’d like to add to your home — even over archways.  Just send them your measurements and voila! Plus, they have such a cool name. 

Finally, their is also a search site for stencils — appropriately enough called Stencil Search.  They also have a full listing of the stencil companies they cover. 

I hope this has helped!  I’m glad you’re trying out stencilling on fabric — and if you’re washing the fabric, please remember to use specially-designed fabric paint!  Let me know how it all turns out!   - Regina

I luff mail like that because it just serves to remind me not only the amazing variety of stencils available today but also the the myriad of versatile surfaces that stencils can be incorporated into.  Now that you have this info…why wait?  Create!

I really do love the Faux Finisher magazine.  Every time it appears in my mailbox, I do the happy dance all the way to my desk and sit down immediately to read it. :)  It premiered in 1999 and it has kept a great pulse on our amazing industry.  I thought it would be great to have Diane Capuano, the Executive Editor of the Faux Finisher, walk us through the creation of each issue with the bonus of getting to know her a little better. 

Ms. Capuano has been with the magazine since its inception.  She also is the executive editor of a monthly magazine, Paint & Decorating Retailer, which is a retail trade magazine. Both magazines are published by the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association (PDRA). She writes many of the articles in the magazine (particularly the profiles of artists) and also works with the contributors in making assignments and editing the content.  Let’s start our e-chat with her…

Please describe your ideal issue for the Faux Finisher.  How do you go about putting together an issue?

My ideal issue is one in which I notice an overriding theme emerge and I can use that theme for the cover and my editor’s column. For instance, for the Summer 2008 issue, I profiled John Alan, who has done restoration work in churches and cathedrals, and Katt Ellis, who does natural and rustic-themed decorative art. We also had an article from Melanie Royals, who had just returned from a trip to Morocco, where she had done work in keeping with the Moroccan culture. It occurred to me that all of these artists each had a different source of inspiration that contributed to their work. So, I was able to run with that theme and use the word “Inspiration!” on the cover in large type and then talk about the potential sources of inspiration in my column. That issue is fresh in my mind because I just completed it, but I really enjoyed the cohesiveness.

I also enjoy having a balance in each issue between what I would call the artistic articles, such as the ones described above, and the business/practical articles. Rebecca Parsons has been with us since the beginning, and she does a fabulous job every issue with her Faux Biz column. I also enjoy the Mike Cooper column, which is not only informative but fun and entertaining. Plus, the ideal issue also will have contributions from some of our “regulars,” such as Melanie Royals, Victor DeMasi, Randy Ingram/Brian Townsend, Debbie Ellison, Ed Mattingly and Martin Alan Hirsch. If we have contributions from two or more of that core group of talented artists or writers, in addition to the aforementioned columns, I consider it a successful issue.

How far in advance do you prepare the issues?

Since we are a quarterly, I can do a little bit at a time over a three-month period. Because I’m also the editor of a monthly magazine as well, the intensity of The Faux Finisher doesn’t start until about one month before production. At that point, I make sure I know who the featured artist(s) will be and arrange to do the interviews (usually over the phone), I send out reminders to all the columnists and regular contributors, and over the course of the next couple weeks, I do writing and arrange for photos. There is about a week of intensive writing, photo selection and page design. We have artists who do the feature layouts, and I then I do final edits and “standing pages” such as contents, product news pages and the editor’s column. Then, we do final checks on proofs and release the issue to our printer, at which point we start the cycle all over again!

One kind of interesting point: I work from home. I have a (very cluttered) home office, but thanks to the magic of email, cell phones, FTP sites, remote computer locations and fleet-footed courier services, I can work from home, get my job done and still be the chauffeur that my kids need me to be for all after-school activities!

How did you begin this career path?

I went to the University of Missouri School of Journalism and originally expected to be a newspaper reporter, and I did work on a couple different newspapers but on the copyediting desk. But it got to be a bit routine…every day was the same as the one before unless a major story was breaking. Then, I discovered the world of trade magazines and liked the diversity of writing, interviewing, editorial planning and working with artists, photographers and other creative people.

Any industry books that you recommend for us to read?

Ina Brosseau and Alan Marx’s new “Furniture Restoration” book…great photos, well-written text…just perfect! They are an amazing couple…as nice and warm and genuine as can be!  I’m so thrilled that they recently contributed an article to The Faux Finisher on the subject of furniture restoration.  There is also a new book by Gary Lord on Mural Painting in which he has contributions from many of the top muralists in the industry. These are big, big names, so it was quite an achievement to put a book like that together. Of course, The House that Faux Built…another great collaborative effort. I’m also anxious to see the new book by Michel Nadai (it’s bilingual, French and English), and Pierre Finkelstein has one of the industry bibles with the “Art of Faux”.

What are some of the best spaces you’ve seen designed?

Now, that’s a loaded question, because there have been so many great artists that we have featured in the pages of The Faux Finisher. At the risk of leaving out someone whose work I’ve really enjoyed and then slapping myself on the forehead later for my forgetfulness, I will venture naming a few. I will just limit myself to the artists we have featured in the magazine and/or whom I have seen do demos in person.

I always enjoy the projects of Randy Ingram and Brian Townsend because the murals they design are just out of this world in terms of their scale and their detail. Mike Cooper has provided articles on some amazing mural projects as well—a couple that involved overpasses or retaining walls along highways, so he gets extra points for having to paint while “dodging” traffic…well, not literally, but you get what I mean. If anyone could do “Xtreme Mural Painting” and make it look easy, it’s Mike.

What also sticks in my mind are the fantastic murals designed by international muralist Gez Taylor. He’s done work for five-star hotels, palaces and mansions in many of the world’s most exotic locales. And the work of William Cochran, featuring some of the most realistic trompe l’oeil I’ve ever seen, just blows me away! Speaking of being blown away, I also recall a great project done by Dave and Pam Schmidt done with a lightweight concrete to create an unforgettable home theater room with a “Stargate” theme.

I’m also blown away by the great restorative work of George Zaffle (who has done work for movie stars and government officials). And I have been impressed by the classical themes used in the work of Cynthia Borman. I also have enjoyed the innovative wall and furniture finishes that Sandra Lassley can do with a bit of metallic paint and some imagination. Similarly, the fun embellishments that Ann Snipes adds to her furniture projects definitely make them memorable.

In person, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the artistry of such legends as Leonard Pardon, Sean Crosby, Michel Nadai, Pierre Finkelstein, Pascal Amblard and Nicola Vigini who have generously demo’d their skills at such industry events as SALI, Salon, The Faux Event, Meeting of the Masters, Fauxcademy, etc.

And I’d also like to give a nod to John Catalanotto and Greg Frohnapfel of Pro Faux, who allowed me to tag along on a couple of projects that they spearheaded at our PDRA headquarters building. Having worked for several years in an office that they Venetian plastered (not only the walls, but the desk to match), I’d like to heartily acknowledge that they made the concept of “staring at the four walls around me” (as I sought writing inspiration) a lot easier to take!

I really wish space permitted me to name more of the memorable spaces and projects, but we’ve been publishing for nearly 10 years, and that means we’ve probably profiled (or published articles from) about a hundred or more artists!

But what really excites me is that there is so much great work being done and so many great artists who I would still like to feature! We have a couple exciting artists who we expect to be profiling in upcoming issues, so “stay tuned” to future issues. That’s my one unadulterated plug!

What is the best thing that has happened to the faux industry in the last five years?

The Internet! Now, there are so many ways that artists can communicate with other artists online…via forums, photo galleries, social websites, YouTube, etc. And what a great thing to be able to show a visual portfolio of your work merely by giving clients, colleagues, friends or whomever else your Web address! As an editor, I love it, because if someone is proposing an article to me, all I have to do is ask for his or her Web address, and I can immediately see the caliber of work they do. Sure beats snail mail!

Here’s a few pics of a some of the decorative painting disciplines you can find covered in any issue: murals, faux finishes and furniture. 

Furniture by Ann Snipes

Mural by Sean Crosby and Faux by Elaine Castronovo

It was very nice of Ms. Capuano to take the time to ”chat” with the Fauxology readers — thank you!  I hope you found it a pleasure reading about the behind-the-scenes magic that happens with putting each issue together.  Please take a bit of time to click on the links above and not only find out more about The Faux Finisher, but also have a beautiful stroll through the websites of some of the most talented artists alive today.   Until next time!