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

You know, I had this amazing weekend.  Which I really didn’t expect because I’ve been thinking about the election and all that goes along with it.  I voted on Saturday and was pleased to see the most amount of people I’ve ever seen — and for early voting, too!  Then, I attended an NKOTB concert on Sunday with the girl posse (my outside-of-faux friends) and spent an evening reliving my teenage-hood in sheer screaming, jumping, dancing, unadulterated joy.  Here’s a pic of my friends in action:

I look at the joy in above pic, remember how much fun I had and how great it felt to cast my vote.  Since then, I’ve been reading political and economic blogs and…I’ve decided that I’m tired.  So completely tired of the doom & gloom that, I’m just going to go for Hope.  No matter what may come, I’m just going to live my life in joy, try to bring a smile to everyone I see and roll with the punches, should they come in small, medium or large.  So, yeah.  Put my name down for Team Hope.  I want the T-Shirt, the newsletter and I’ll pre-order the book on Amazon.  I’m getting up to enjoy the day and know that somehow, someway: It will all be OK.  Come what may.

Anyhoo.  I do hope that you get the chance to vote!  Apparently, the whole world is watching…

Let’s make it good. 

Regina Ga Ghoul-ray here wishing you a frightful, scary Halloween!  Actually, Halloween is a fun time around our parts and we derive great fun in either dressing up to go out or to greet the kids coming around for candy.  This year, our crew was cracking each other up because we came up with the brazilliant plan to go dressed as….drumroll…wait for it…faux finishes!!!  (”And what are you supposed to be?” “Venetian Plaster” ”And you?” “Gold Leaf Ceiling”) Hope the products wash off…. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about latex paint lately.  (You know, I think that first sentence really shows what a paint nerd I am.  Wish I could say “I’ve been thinking about my upcoming world tour lately”…but nooooooo.  Latex paint for this chick.)  Here’s the deets.

1) Normally, we use acrylic colors or universal tints to color our glazes — but rarely regular paint.  I find that it gives a “muddier” look and when a bit off, I used to have to buy a whole other quart and hope that the new color was a winner.  (That was before I learned how to tint.  Color Theory classes are invaluable and I highly recommend them to anyone who hasn’t taken one.  It saves money and there is a certain joy at being able to create custom colors at will.)  Saying that, I have found and used a color regularly throughout the years and it’s a winner.  The name is Steady Brown and it is Sherwin-Williams 6110 — we used it again recently and it really nice.  A close Benjamin Moore color is Valley Forge Brown (HC-74) but I haven’t tested that one out yet.  Here’s an older sample board using the Steady Brown as a light overglaze (at a 1:5 ratio).

2) I love Benjamin Moore colors but since I have a Sherwin-Williams super close, I usually use their colors as base paints.  They have this cool thing called Color To Go and it’s a satin quart used to allow everyone to test their color choices.  The best thing?  $4.99/quart.  It’s not meant to be used to base a wall professionally but for color testing and sample-making?  Fantastic — especially when a regular quart can set you back $10 - $12!  You can see my growing collection…

3) I purchased a book recently and with it came a coupon for a free year of Better Homes & Gardens.  Not my first choice for a shelter magazine, but free is free.  My first issue was in September and I found myself enjoying it.  After the second issue, I think I’ve narrowed down my fave bit to the All About Color monthly column, dedicated to recommending gorgeous paint shades.  I rather like their layouts (…and hmmm…that gray looks familiar).

There you have it — my latest thoughts on latex paint.  I hope you can handle this much excitement, LOL!

When I attended the blog convention, there was much talk on social networking but most of it concentrated around Twitter.  It was considered one of the best ways for a business to network, meet other colleagues and acquire information quickly.  It was also considered the best way to gauge response to new products, new books/shows/music, new sites and for a larger company to interract immediately with their customers.  One speaker even went so far as to state that Twitter would one day become as important as the phone.  (That startled me.  While I looked around incredulously, I noticed that most attendees didn’t seem fazed by that comment and some even nodded.  Wha…?)  While I’m not sure of that just yet, I thought it would behoove me to find out the downlow on the tweets.

Twitter is a free online social network service that lets you keep in touch with your friends and colleagues via web or text – all revolving around one simple question: “What Are You Doing?”  Any update sent on Twitter is called a tweet and those in your network (whose adventures you “follow” and they in turn “follow” your exploits) can receive them via text or when you log in to your computer.  If you have your profile set to ”public timeline”, the entire Twitter community is privvy to your tweet and can easily tweet back.  Simple, right?

REGINA’S TIMEOUT:  You can not imagine the amount of pages of FAQ, Help and Googled sites I had to (re)read to churn out the above paragraph.  I need to be, like, a teenager, to get all this or at the very least, use that handy device used in The Matrix that just downloaded all the information you needed instantly into your conscious.  OK, back to our regularly scheduled program. 

So, I’m on Twitter now and anyone can Follow Me!  It seems cooler and a lot more laid-back than the other social sites, but I’ll keep you posted as I go down the rabbit hole.  To read more, check out 17 Ways You Can Use Twitter.  I’ve connected with some old friends (warm shoutout to Valerie Cuzzola!) and am looking forward to tweeting away.  Hope you decide to check it out and fly along with me!

No, that isn’t a reference to our president or the current state of the economy but more of a reference to my head.  The crew and I have been working the overnight shift (10 pm - 5 am) at the beautiful Hilton at Walt Disney World Resort – something we offer in our company’s services and a shift we’ve worked many times before (see the lone post on a past one here).  This time, however, it sent me for a loop.  I think my mistake was coming home on the red-eye from California, getting home at 11 am, going to sleep and waking up to start the 10 pm shift that same day.  The first few days were ok but I woke up at one point and I couldn’t remember what day it was.  Now, though, we’re recovering and the hotel executives are pleased with our work so all’s well that ends well.  I can recharge, blog a bit and go back to more artworks on Monday. 

While I get my thoughts together, I was pleased that this week we got shout-outs from not one blog, but two.  We were mentioned in the Stencil Talk blog for Stencil Search and also in a post entitled “What is Faux Painting?” on My Design Secrets.  Big Thank You!s to both of them for such a pleasant surprise.

I’ll be posting soon…but for now, someone’s cooking breakfast and I have to follow the scent like one of those cartoon characters…

My very favorite studio in my home state of Florida is the Sarasota School of Faux & Architectural Finishing.  The school is run by Donna Phelps and she is a fellow Global Moderator on Talk Faux.  I can’t say enough good things about Donna — she’s funny, a fantastic teacher and a super genius at producing the most awesome sample boards.  Every year brings new and exciting techniques — sooooo glad to have her only 2 hours away. 

Which brings me to the Fall Faux Fling.  Donna is having an Open House at her studio this Saturday (October 11th) from Noon - 5:30 pm.   (For address, phone or RSVP info, click here.)  She is previewing new classes, new products and new stencils.  She’s also having hourly drawings (last time I won some cool products…love that!) and having an inventory sale to make room for all the new materials (see…this is where I get in trouble…).  Here’s a peek at some of her new finishes:

Can you say Yummy & Delicious?!?  These boards plus many more will be on display and there will be some cool presentations as well.  I heard that she also has William Cochran coming in to teach a class…

I’ve been going to Donna’s studio since 2000.  I still faithfully try to go at least once per year because I can always count on her to add to my bag of tricks.  She’s also a popular teacher at the IDAL conventions and at other faux schools nationwide.  I hope you get a chance to check out her studio! 

10/18 UPDATE:  Another of my faves, Dundean Studios, is having their second Open House of the year next Saturday, October 25th from 9 am - 5:30 pm.  Their studio (where I’ve taken many courses, most recently Advanced Woodgraining) is located in Chatham, NJ.  Dean is a Salon member and a true master in our field — if you get a chance, don’t miss going to his studio. 

Today, I drove home and listened to (and sang along loudly with) Queen’s “Somebody to Love”.  Man, that is a great song…and, I gotta tell you, I did just as good a job singing and harmonizing as Freddie and the boys.  You believe me, don’t you? 

Well, we’ll switch from what was on the radio and move on to what is on the television.  Two shows I wanted to tell you about:

1) The Human Camera - This show is playing Wednesday (9/24) at 8 pm on BBC America.  It’s all about Stephen Wiltshire, a 33-year old autistic artist who can quickly look at a building and draw it (down to the exact amount of windows and doors) from memory.  Amazing.  Here is an excerpt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YXZTlwTAU

2) Modern Marvels: Paint - This one runs periodically on the History Channel.  I just caught it and taped it last week.  It is one incredible hour devoted to paint, that perfect hybrid of art and chemistry.  It goes into its history, modern uses (think about it — everything is painted, down to our cell phones) and the future of a little something called “smart” paint.  Great info.

Hope these shows prove interesting to you! 

There are lots of colors that you can associate with Fall, but Orange is the one that gives me the warmest fuzzies.  When living up north, I looked forward to donning cold weather clothing and driving along beautiful roads to see the gorgeous color changes in the landscape.  We’d go looking for just the right pumpkin and afterwards, sip hot apple cider while discussing the upcoming holiday season.  Good times.

Here in Florida, you don’t see the changing seasons as much.  In fact, when I see a brightly colored tree here surrounded by a slew of greenery, I often imagine this conversation:

Full Color Tree:  Ahh, Fall.  Time to razzle-dazzle and bring out those nice reds, oranges and ochres everyone likes.  So nice to finally get a chance to show off.

Florida Green Trees:  (Looking at him suspiciously):  Dude.  What are you doing? 

Full Color Tree:  What do you mean?  It’s our time of year!  Fall starts on September 23rd, we’re in Connecticut, people will be coming out just to see us and we’ll be in pictures!  (Taking a look around).  Oh, I’m soooo sorry — you guys are still green.  It’ll happen, no worries.  (Thinking) Well, some trees have it and some trees don’t.  Looks like I’ll be The Star around here this year.

Florida Green Trees:  (All laughing):  Would you get a load of this guy?  Thinks he’s in Connecticut…

Full Color Tree:  (Thinking)  They’re just laughing because they’re literally green with envy!  Shake it off and stand proud.  Oh, that faux girl with the paint all over her clothes is coming by again to take my pic.  Not everyone can pull off the multi-color look like me, but who am I to judge? Hope she gets my good side this time.

So, have I completely scared everyone off with my imagination?  LOL!  Getting to the point of my post.  In honor of Fall, I wanted to showcase one of its most prominent colors: Orange.  Here are a few interior pics featuring some of its many tones.   

Here’s some of our work in those tones:

A terracotta glaze on top leading gradating to an ochre glaze on the bottom is pictured on the Left and copper leaf schaibin paired with a gray metallic plaster on the Right.  The Center pic on the second row is a mix of plasters, gold leaf and stencilling.

Enjoy your day!

Hi, Everyone!!!  It’s that time again – a few info nibblers to chew on!  Well, as you may know, I’m a huge TiVo fan.  Today I came home to watch my recorded Martha Stewart (yes, I’m a fan — anyone who knows that much about the stuff I love is a good thing) and her show today was all about bloggers!  Go blogosphere!  She has her own blog and I happily noted that some of my fave bloggers were guests…and I even found some new ones.  Check out her site to see more deets.

Another nibbler for the business owners who read Fauxology is a great site to include in your marketing & promotion plan.  Check out and sign up for Help A Reporter.  Once you submit your e-mail address, you will receive a daily listing of stories that reporters are working on nationwide and the sources they are looking for.  You never know…

Last but not least!  I wanted to let you know of a capability of this blog you may not know about.  If you scroll down along the menu on the right, you will come to a Search box.  Please feel free to conduct a search within my archives for background information or inspirational pics on anything related to decorative painting and/or design.  I have over a year’s worth of posts so maybe something I wrote one day proves to be just the info you needed or a picture can spur you into just the right creative direction.  It’s a great feature I use on other blogs!

Enjoy your day!