Old Line State

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So in response to all the Union Jack dressers I've seen lately, I've decided to fly my state's colors (well, sorta.) I found this dresser on craigslist a few months ago.

So on my week off from real painting I transformed it with some custom mixed Annie Sloan Chalk Paints.  I decided to keep it tonal so that it would fit in more subtly with its surrounding decor.

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Feel free to contact me with any orders you may require! (Mikey won't let me sell this one cause "we never keep any cool stuff!")

(linked to Miss Mustard Seed and Elizabeth and Co.)

Proceed Workshop a Success

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In June I organized a Golden Proceed workshop for local International Decorative Artisans League (IDAL) chapters.  Members from Capital Area Decorative Artisans (CADA) and Greater Maryland Decorative Artisans (GMDA) gathered at GMDA's regular meeting place, the Howard County Center for the Arts, to learn about the Proceed line of Decorative Painting Products made by Golden Artist Colors from Lori Wilson, CS.  Budekes Paints and Decorating (who now stocks Proceed) helped make the event a success by providing lunch and prizes for attendees. We had a full class with artisans from Virgina, West Virginia, Maryland and even Pennsylvania in attendance!

The event had been in the works for quite some time. Last April 2011 I was talking with Lori Wilson and Howard Thaller at Salon in Atlanta about being able to buy Proceed locally.  I knew that my local paint store, Budekes, would be a perfect fit. It was just a matter of convincing them that they should carry the line.  I also wanted to be able to purchase product off the shelf that I use every day and not wait days for shipping.

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A year later, Budekes now carries Proceed and has been a great help with providing local decorative artisans and painters alike with exceptional products and service. Thanks Bryan!! (I don't get any money from Golden to promote Proceed, I just like their product and their philosophy.)

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Second Round

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A year ago I worked with the same client who had me complete a plethora of work for them.  This year I'm back for round two.  Previously I had painted columns, applied metallic plaster, and done some artwork for the children's rooms:

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This time, we focused on artwork for the stairwells and some for the master bedroom.  I also was asked to add to the children's room.  My last post I showed you how a painting evolves form a sketch to a final work.  That was for this client. Here are the other pieces for which I was commissioned. Hope you enjoy!

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cloud mural large

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tryptic

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sitting room

And...

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Evolution of a Painting

fountain with tree

A painting starts with a series of sketches.  To get to this point there are several hours of research, designing, discussions with the client, revisions, then final approval.  Sometimes the sketch is done in color. For this piece, we had images of stone that we selected for age, color and patina.

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I usually start with an underpainting of values to help create the depth before adding color. This also helps with getting to the right value without a ton of paint. I don't always do this, but for Trompe L'oeil it helps me see the dimension and establish light and shadow placement.

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Next I add the tones of the stone.  I premix my main colors and tweak them on the palette as I go.  This piece has a lot of warm shadows and cool highlights.  You can also see my reference material.  I spend countless hours searching for the right references.  Without them, I am unable to really replicate the natural qualities of the material.

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Once the main areas are blocked in, I like to go back and tweak areas to make sure its cohesive.  The center will have a very specific image that will look like a bas relief carving.  I shot reference photos, including Mike's hands pouring water.  The water in the carving was the most difficult. I wanted it to look fluid but at the same time it had to be "carved" out of the stone.

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The final piece, varnished before cutting and installation. You can see the pitting and cracking that I added for authenticity.

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Installation was done by Shelly Wilkins of Walls Etc.

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And the final result:

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Tada!

I added shadowing on the wall once it was installed.

A note on canvas installation vs painting on site...

I really prefer to paint on canvas to painting on site for several reasons.  It allows me to paint in the comfort of my studio, and the client doesn't have to put up with me for the weeks it takes to do the work.  It also allows the painting to become transportable.  In the case of a move, it is very easily taken down with some warm soapy water.  The investment is not left behind! Its great for kids rooms too.

The art of painting on canvas and adhering it to the wall is a 3000 year old method referred to as "marouflage." You can learn more about the technique here.

Some public examples of this type of work can be seen at the Library of Congress, The Capitol Building, the Biltmore Estate, and countless others.