A decorator's dream!!

Goat-Cheese!!! (Translation: Gorgeous)

I have a wonderful client-couple up the road a piece. I just finished 2 rooms in their new home, under construction, but almost move-in ready!

This is one of several homes they've built, so they really have a good sense of what they want in a home! They want to come home each day to a place which gives them the feeling of being in some of the old homes and buildings of Europe. There's something so comfortable about the Italian countryside, for example, with it's beautiful sunset colors of yellow, orange, and deep woody browns...and also, you know, well used by generations!!!

Well, We're both very happy with the results.

The example above is of Venetian Plaster in a guest Bathroom. The client was asking for a more raw, stone like appearance than the typical smooth as silk of Venetian Plaster. It looks raw and stone like, but it's still smooth as a baby's b*#@!

Also, a master bedroom in a terrific base of yellow aged to a more subtle ochre. Gorgeous!!

This home is a reflection of our desire to reach back to the past and to take comfort in the feeling of living in history, instead of looking shiny and brand new!

They are not alone, and Tuscany certainly isn't the only influence in current home styles. There is also a resurgence in a variety of building styles that co-existed in the United States from the 1800's to the 1930's and beyond. Victorian, Federal, Queen Anne and finally, Arts and Crafts style, which was a pivotal architectural period in U.S. history, highlighting such icons as Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 20th century, are what builders are focusing as "current" trends. They realize that we want color and character in our living spaces, and finally, they're making some waves in construction.

I must say, what a beautiful project to be a part of, and a lovely couple to work for!!! Thanks, S and K!!

Have a great weekend!

A decorator's dream!!

Mural painting: Trick the eye!!

Well, I've spent 2 challenging weeks honing my skills with a small group of decorative painters under the guidance of the Premier Craftsman of France, Michel Nadai...and what a time was had by all!!

This is a 4 part course, including the master course in France. The next 2 modules will be in July, here in Atlanta.

Michel accompanied by his wife, Kyoko, (who translates all of his lectures),
is truly a master craftsman and an amazing mentor, who can take a group of individuals, completely diverse in talents, and bring them all together, raising them up to new heights and certainly lifting their spirits. It is not enough to say that I was delighted by the experience, plus, we laughed our butts off every day!

That's me second from the right, next to Michel. We were 7 fabulous femmes fatales plus Michel's wife, Kyoko, (second from the left)...could be a harem in other environs. Let me also say that the other 6 were magnificent babes in their own right, and I am fortunate to know all of these consumate professionals. You go girls...Go put put on your big girl panties and take on the scaffolds of the world!

These are some examples of Trompe L'Oeil murals that I painted in the last 10 days. Remember, these are all paintings..If you're not sure what Trompe L'Oeil is, it means a painting whose purpose is to "trick the eye" and these are examples of things I might paint on a client's wall, perhaps in a dining room or on a column to add character and decoration, without actually adding molding. It's art for art's sake.

Molding and Ornamentation study. Monochromatic in blue. Medium: paint on a prepared surface, so, er, FLAT, right...yet, when I took a picture of the above, there appears to be a cast shadow off the flower pattern that is in the center panel. This is kind of creepy, because I didn't paint that shadow, and of course, being a flat canvas, could not be possible.




Whimsical broken column "after a party". Study of the golden mean as it applied to a column, a brilliant example of ancient greek architecture, light and shadow on a cylinder, and cast shadow of the ribbon.



Another monochromatic painting; molding and ornamentation in green, this time with a rosette of lotus leaves.

This was only the first module with this amazing teacher, and we are all so excited to meet him again in July.

It was an exhausting yet exhilarating couple of weeks, and I am even more excited than usual to go do something cool!!

Mural painting: Trick the eye!!

Back in commission

I must confess, it's been a while since my last post.

So, my frequent rants have become a little infrequent...

I've been busy.

Creatin'.

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more...

maybe a little more..

Got some great clients, so I've been painting my arms off, and with barely a moment to breathe. Add to that the most wonderful past two weeks, studying under Michel Nadai, a member of the prestigious Salon, who carries the title of Premier Craftsman of France..yep, the whole country!

I am fortunate to be studying trompe l'oeil and ornamentation amidst the talents and creative energy of a very small group of people, so we are really feeling the treatment!

Life is good.

After I recover from the rush of March and April (over a few good cosmopolitans) this weekend, I will begin to look forward to some great fun in the coming months as new found friends in the mural business are lifting my spirits even further and truly taking me to new levels.

All I can say is, "Thank you!"

And, I'm officially removing starving from "starving artist". It's a bad rap. Let's be positive here. A note to all non-artists: The other day, our little study group of 'artists' were sitting around talking about our clients, and the most commonly and innocently asked question from them seems to be, "So, is this all you do?"

:) (yes)

I do live on commission. People ask me to make their home pretty, and, surprisingly, it's all I do. I've spent my whole life getting to this moment. And, yes, it's all I do! So, buy art, please. Support artists. Appreciate it's place in history, current events, pop culture.

It's time for a new renaissance....please. Try to understand that we are professionals; we work as hard as any other profession, and sometimes, we've even invested as much money in our education and continuing education as teachers, lawyers, pilots, doctors, engineers, etc.

Whoa Nelly. Wow, she's tall.

Now for some creative visualization. [Looking forward to the master class in France..Ah, du vin, du pain, et de petit boursin!]

Back in commission