Painter Girl

Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Yesterday I attended a wonderful (and free) conference co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition and the Kirstein Business Branch of the Boston Public Library.  If you are reading this post today, there is still time for you to catch Day 2 of this conference: Creative Massachusetts: The Artists Congress 2009, which will begin at 1:00 pm at the Boston Public Library. 

Unfortunately, I am up to my ears with some prep work to do for next week's job, and a lot of yard work to tend to today, so must miss Day 2.  Let me tell you a bit about yesterday though.  The organizers of this conference worked very hard to pull together some great panel discussions that were entertaining and informative.  Personally, I gained useful information about social networking, community networking, grant resources, and connected with some great people and local resources. 

If you are a Massachusetts artist (all disciplines) you may want to get on board and join this free listserv for Artists Under the Dome.  This website was launched in October 2007 and is an artist run website which informs Massachusetts artists of public policy initiatives that may impact your livelihood.  The goal of Artists Under the Dome is to "empower individual artists to become more engaged with the democratic process and public policy making." The 3rd Annual Artists Under the Dome will be held on November 19th, 10 a.m. - 3:30 pm at the State House and invites all Massachusetts artists working in all disciplines to the State House to thank them for all they contribute to the Commonwealth's economy and quality of life.  The more artists present, the stronger our visibility and voice will be.  Please plan to attend for at least part of this, if your schedule allows.

Another good source for information is the ArtSake blog written by Ja-nae Duane.

Guest Decorative Painter

Today I am featuring a very talented decorative painter, Chris Smith, of Stenciling Etc.  Chris and I attended the Decorative Painting/Faux Event together last week.  I asked Chris if she would be so kind as to write a review of the 3 classes she took, so today she will discuss the Grottesca class.  Here is her review in her own words:

"The class I took with Nicola Vigini was called Italian Ornamentation: Grottesca.  I really wanted to improve my skills in this area, and learn from the Master.  Nicola is an internationally recognized faux and decorative artist.  He is originally from Rome and was schooled at the Institute Superieure de Peintre Decorative in Paris.  He operates Vigini Studios Inc., and also a decorative painting program in Italy.   
Grottesca is a style of ornamentation coming from ancient Roman fresco painting.  The designs are of arabesque-like figures of flora and fauna motifs, within architectural details. (panels, moldings, etc.)
Generally the designs chosen are put on the surface by tracing or pounce patterns, or stencil.  It is done in a very light color, just to impart the pattern being used.  All the work following is hand applied using a variety of color, and brush strokes.  Most of the pattern is symmetrical, with minor differences, sometimes inserting monograms, or other personal details.
Shadow and lighting is taken into consideration , just as you do for trompe l'oeil work.
It was a great class, but we could have used a few more days just to listen to all the historical information that Nicola has to share."

The photo above is the sample board Chris made in Nicola's class.

Just to show you want an incredibly talented decorative painter Chris is, here is a good example of the quality work she provides her clients:

Chris did this work last winter with muralist Kim Senior, another incredibly talented woman!  Kim did the mural and Chris did the ornamentation.  Chris says, " In this design, the picture was copied from a magazine article, and I designed the ornamentation to go around it.  The ornamentation was done in Grisaile, and the work was then framed in a custom mahogany frame trimmed with gold leaf. " 

Chris will be back here again to discuss her other 2 classes.  Stay tuned.  Thanks Chris!

Class Samples, Part 3 of 3

The third class that I took while attending the Sali Convention in Charleston, SC was also with Helen Morris.  This class explored some unconventional stencils and stencil techniques.  We made a lot of fabulous samples on heavy duty wallpaper liner and Roc Lon.  Roc Lon is a great fabric to work with because it can be cut with scissors and does not fray, so no need to hem.  Later in this post, you will see a floor cloth I did using Roc-Lon.

These samples show the use of a "Silhouette Stencil".  The one on the left is mine... and done incorrectly!  The one on the right is Helen's, done correctly.  When using a Silhouette Stencil, the 2nd overlay brings in the background color and really creates the design.  Now just to show you that when it really counts, I actually CAN do the design correctly, I will post the Alium design I did for that recent Commercial Job. 

This Alium design is a great example of one of the Stencil Library's Silhouette Stencils.  It is a 3 part/overlay stencil.  The 2nd overlay is done using the dark brown wall color you see here and that magically forms the design!

I also made a very fun floor cloth in this class with Helen.  The design is from one, giant stencil.

The design was done on a square piece of Roc-Lon and then cut out around the flower edges.  I am going to add a little color to this design and you will see it appearing at a later date when I reveal my latest home improvement project... a little bathroom makeover.

If you would like to read more about Helen's classes and her Charleston experiences, click here.

Class Samples, Part 2 of 3

 The next class I took was taught by Helen Morris, of the Stencil Library.  While I have taken classes from Melanie before, this was my first class with Helen.  Helen is just a delight.with her shocking red hair, bubbly personality and fun British expressions!  Her classes are packed with projects and taught at an easy pace.

This class was all about using stencils from the Print Room Collection.

All of the projects we did in this class were done on heavy wallpaper liner using only black and white paint, mixing shades of grey.  The exercises showed us how to use the multi-part stencils and different composition ideas.  Here you see 3 oval frames, one with a full face, 1 with just the lips and cigarette, and the 3rd with just the nose.  The same  picture was copied 3x's and used differently in each frame.  A stenciled background of bamboo was added.

Here are 2 more examples of a design cut out and pasted on top of a stenciled frame.

Another fun way to use these frames is to insert postcards from vacations!  This would be a fun grouping on a hallway wall.

Class Samples, Part 1 of 3

I decided the best way to feature the samples from the 3 classes I recently took at the Sali Convention in Charleston, SC, would be to post about one each day.  Today I will show you the samples made in the class taught by Melanie Royals " Faux Marquetry Decoration With Modellos".

This was a 4 hour class that was fast paced, fun, and resulted in some great sample boards to show my clients.  Melanie is the consummate pro when it comes to teaching.  She is well prepared, easy to understand and packs a lot into her classes.  I took this particular class for two reasons.  One, I want to do some of these designs in my own home and Two, I know this will be a very easy sell to my clients once they see the boards.  Ok, I guess there is a number Three. I really try to include the art of stenciling as much as possible in all of my work.

The first three designs shown here are all done on wood sample boards to simulate a wood floor.  The designs are Melanie's Modellos with a stain application.

No matter how I photograph this one pictured above, the colors are just not showing up true.  The leaves are really a pretty shade of green, the background a light wood, and the darkest color is a rich, chocolate brown.  I love this pattern and think it may be one I use in the center of my living room floor.

This cube design pictured above is very fun to do, but you do need to pay attention to what you are doing here while applying the stains!  This would look great in a hallway or on a piece of furniture.

 

This border design (sample laying on my own wood floor), is another pattern that would work well on floors or furniture.  Another use would be to put it on the risers of stairs.

This last photo above, shows a stained design done on a cork tile.  This tiles can be done before or after they are installed.

Both the wood and cork methods are sealed for durability.  Click here if you would like to see more examples of Faux Marquetry!

Charleston SC Decorative Painting Convention

I am away at the SALI Convention this week, so will not be posting until I return.  I brought my camera, but forgot the cord that attaches the camera to my laptop, thus preventing me from uploading any photos! 

Yesterday I took two classes, one taught by Melanie Royals and the other by Helen Morris. I made some fun new samples and will post those pics next week. In Melanie's class I made some beautiful sample boards using Modellos to create faux marquetry on wood and cork flooring.  In Helen's class, we made samples using stencils from her Print Room collection.  I can see I will have to incorporate both of these concepts into my own house somewhere!  I guess I will have to finish my other projects first....

Today I have some free time to sightsee and one more class with Helen.

When I return, Stacy and I will return to the Beacon Hill Job to begin a fabulous ceiling design.  Also, I have some updates on the Day Care Center Job and a remodel of a Hair Salon.

Sali Convention

On Monday,  the on line registration opened up for the annual SALI Convention.  I signed up for 3 classes:  Faux Marquetry with Modellos, taught by Melanie Royals; 21st Century Print Room; and New Stencil Techniques, both taught by Helen Morris.  I'm excited about going to this convention, since the last one I attended was 2 years ago in Chicago.  I'm eager to learn some new techniques and add some new samples to my portfolio.  I'm sad to learn that many, many of my decorative painting pals will not be attending convention this year due to our uncertain economy.   It's scary to hear one after another tell me their business is suffering and they just cannot justify the expense this year.  I can relate, and had to really give this convention experience a lot of thought.  I feel the classes I've signed up for will benefit my business and because the convention is on the east coast this year (Charleston, SC),  travel expenses are less for me.   At all Sali Conventions, several of us always share a room to keep that cost down.  I'm hoping, in the end, enough of my painting pals do go, so we can still keep this as an option.  The convention is not until July, so some are waiting a bit to make the decision.  For more information about the SALI convention visit: http://www.sali.org

While work has been steady for me so far this year, work that I typically get every year from local builders of the McMansions is non-existent.  The bulk of my work is coming from commercial sites and from homeowners who are renovating.  I have not been in a newly constructed house in well over a year, now that I think of it. Often I see a big increase in business once tax refunds start arriving.  With gas prices rising daily,  grocery costs soaring, and every bill we open increasing, it leaves all of us with fewer and fewer dollars for necessities, never mind luxuries like decorative painting. 

So Many Classes, So Many Options

I spent a large portion of my weekend reading class offerings at 2 upcoming decorative painting conventions.  This year, SALI, (Stencil Artisans League, Inc.) is hosting their annual convention in Charleston, SC, July 21-26th.  This is a great opportunity to network with other decorative painters, learn about new products at the Expo, and take some classes to add some new samples to my portfolio.  The top decorative painters, nationally and internationally come to teach at the SALI conventions. 

I have my issues with the SALI organization and the direction it has taken over the years.  My two pet peeves at the moment are 1) the vague, non-descript Mission Statement they have recently adopted; and 2) the decision of the board to change the name from Stencil Artisans League Incorporated to one of the following: either International Organization of Decorative Artisans (IODA), or International Decorative Artists League (IDAL).

I am very disappointed and dismayed with this organization for making choices that, in my humble opinion, do not honor the history of this organization.  I'll just leave it at that for the moment. ;-)

The three classes I am interested in taking are 2 that are being taught by Helen Morris of my favorite stencil source, the Stencil Library,  and 1 taught by my other favorite stencil/modello designer, Melanie Royals, Royal Design Studios.  Helen is teaching "21st Century Print Rooms" and "New Stencil Techniques".  Melanie is teaching "Faux Marquetry Decor w/Modellos".  I hope I get into these classes!  While there are many, many classes to choose from, I feel these best represent the type of work I like to do and what sells in this area.  The emphasis is on all the plaster finishes at these conventions.  I  enjoy doing plaster finishes, but they are costly both in product and labor, and not an easy sell, at least in this area.  If I had to survive on the number of plaster finishes I do in the course of a year, I'd be one hungry gal.

When I go to a SALI Convention I get the opportunity to connect with several members of my online Stencilers Group.  This is a group of women from various parts of the country, who broke away from a larger online SALI chapter years ago.  We have supported each other both personally and professionally for several years now, and many  of us have never met!  So... it's always a thrill to get to meet another member or two and reconnect with others.

The second large convention that will be offered on the East Coast this year is the Decorative Arts Show/The Faux Event. This will be held in Atlantic City, NJ, September 7-13.  Now,  I do like many of the classes being offered here too, and it is a bit closer in location, but I do not have unlimited funds or time for these conventions and must do what I think is the better business decision for me. 

Lastly, I will be attending a Convention in September in Delaware. This is the annual convention of Stencilers & Decorative Artists Guild or SDAG.  This is mostly a social gathering and small in number compared to these 2 other events.  I signed up to be on a committee to help organize this convention, and look forward once again this year, to connect with this fun group.  Many in this group were the founding members of SALI and are very accomplished and respected stencilers.  I am always in awe of their talents.  Last year their Convention was in Providence and due to some health issues with my Mom, I was only able to attend 1 day.  I had so much fun that I vowed to attend the entire convention this year.

More on these Conventions later.