A Thrifty Faux Painting Chick

I am committed to blog at least twice a week. It's hard, that "blogging thing" but I believe that there will
be light at the end of the tunnel. Many times, maybe even always, my brain seems to be on overload and not coming up with an blog to post. Everything I read, advises to be yourself. So, that's what I am trying to do. Beside being on overload I have another problem. I am bilingual, thus I have an Austrian accent. I am always afraid to write with an "accent" which in my world is not a "good thing" So, bear with me.

That being said, I would like to share an easy way to change you up-holstered furniture in a flash.


I have this really good living room furniture. It's over forty years old and my cats did a number on it. Just to replace the bouillon fringes would cost me $4000.00 ( NO WAY!!!) I love my cats but there is a limit. See what I came up with

                                                     Here is what you do:

                                                    Step One:  

                                 Collect old chenille coverlets with Fringes 

( king size $ 29..95) 

Or use 12Ft X 9Ft. canvas drop cloth

Step Two

Tug the coverlet around back and arms

Step Three 

Insert PVC pipe between seat and back (ascertains tight constant fit)

Step Four

Secure with safety pins ( make sure the safety pins are invisible)

and 

Voilà

 I don't mind "white" because any time I want to change the cover I can. And, the best.... my cats don't seem to confuse the furniture with a scratching post.
I found this truly cool site check it out and get more ideas 

More Slipcovers and More

Take Care, 

Plays with Paints

Always Colorful, Always Fabulous Finishes

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Forget Zoloft and Play with Dirt

A UK Study at the Bristol University discovered that regular dirt bacteria might be help  against depression (wondering if this is the reason I like to play  with dirt?) Trials were conducted with mice. 


Evidently the friendly bacteria in soil  stimulates brain cells to produce Serotonin. I love that stuff. Can't get enough of it. So let's play with dirt.

Happy Gardening,

Plays With Paints
Always Colorful. always Fabulous Finishes

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Easy Florentine Plaster Look A Like

Recently I have completed a kitchen with a "Florentine Plaster" look-a-like faux finish. I developed this finish many moons ago and it still proves  to be a hot seller. Here are the step-by-step instructions.
I use a minimum of 3 contrasting colors (Values = Light, medium and dark) of Acrylic Latex paints That's all!!! I call this technique "skip brushing" It is important to always  submerge the 4" chip brush into the paint and start out working with the "Knee" of the brush, laying the brush perpendicular to the wall surface and striping off the paint.

Step One 

(Dark Value)

Apply irregular patches through the room

Step Two 

(Medium value)

Submerge your 4" double chip brush into the paint, laying the brush perpendicular to the wall, and lightly stripe off the paint. Create valleys and peaks. You must have an uneven application. Don't overwork. It's OK that the paint drips in some areas. Due to the uneven application, painted areas will dry at different times. Watch the drips and manipulate these when half dry. Move them around with your brush. To get a faster effect I sometimes use a hairdryer to speed things up. If done correctly you will have some dry, medium dry, and wet areas, that's what you want!!!! Complete one section at time going back and fourth. Make sure you do not hide all the dark accents.

Step Three: 

(light value)

Apply the light color, in this case Linen white. Again, the surface should be unevenly dry so you can "marry" all three colors into a pleasing rendition where all values are visible. 

Waxed Florentine Plaster 

Good Luck, 

Plays With Paints
Always Colorful, Always Fabulous Finishes 

 

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Marketing Panic

Do You feel alone in this downward economy? I DO!. I miss being booked for 9 months out,  I miss  the easy times to sell my classes at the Faux Academy, and I feel like I have to start from scratch. Knowing,  that  in the past few years I have not paid attention,  doesn't make it any easier. I am being forced to take a serious look at my business. I was lazy because I was doing  great and never foresaw a change. My mistake! By now I accepted this tight situation as a challenge which I am working diligently on  to over come.Realizing that the "big kahunas" are dealing with the same situation,  I decided to submerge myself into research and open my eyes and ears.

 Working on a  business plan revision, a task which is necessary and which I find totally boring,  I have come across some "FREE HELP" I would like to share. Maybe it will help you to make some decisions for your business.


Take care,
Plays with Paints
Always Colorful, always Fabulous Finishes

.

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It's all about color

April 9, 2010

The Color Palette through the Ages...... 
Create A Color Palette 

From prehistoric times, we artists have left and our imprint of our paintings for the rest of the world to see, First our artwork was used as a road map to a source of food, a way to mark our territory or  tracking a location for other homo sapients. In these times we used pigments like red oxide, bone black, carbon black(vegetable black),6500B.C - 2010 A.D.

also called charcoal. BTW this BC is used nowadays as a toner for printers and copiers. 
In this Renaissance painting you see clearly that carbon black was used as first glaze. 

April 4, 2010

I was born with a paint brush in my hand.
However, it took me 27 years, to finally act on it. Moral of the story: Don't ever let anyone tell you " you are not good enough" because "You are good enough"

Do you love color? I hope that you do you do. Colors make or don't make a faux painting technique.

Here is a little story about one of my favorite faux artist and friend. C.E.

Many moons ago, I met Crystal on my message board. This awesome faux painter called herself the "Powder Room Queen" meaning that she only was able to get powder room commissions. I had a gut feeling about what was wrong, but never told her until she won a free class here at the Faux Academy. One look and I knew. Her colors were gorgeous; however not suited for anything but powder rooms. They were strong, beautiful and awesome. But you must think "neutral" for common areas in the home. You or your client can always accessorize withe color. Long story short result... we changed her portfolio and "the rest is history". I believe that's what one says her in America about someone who is extremely successful. Crystal has been and is a welcomed team member on any of my VIP commissions.

Crystal, you go girl!!!!

Here is something what color does for you. Have FUN.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

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We had enough of "Orange Peel" walls .....

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a client  who had bought a home in which I had done all the faux painting. These clients eventually built a new home. Missing the warmth of faux painting  and living five years with "orange peel" walls, they had enough and wanted to capture the warmth of faux painting. I was contacted to fulfill their vision.

We decided to do the kitchen first with a "Florentine Plaster", a finish I had developed years ago, which has been proven to be a reliable seller ever since. It's easy, effective and fast.

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In pursuit of the WOW factor

After  many years (19 to be exact) 

a simple dream of mine became reality. 

Garth Benton, a much admired master trompe l'oeil artist graciously agreed to teach at the Faux Academy. Totally in awe and somewhat intimidated,  I tried very hard to to overcome my demons. Like so many artists, sometimes I too  feel  "it's not good enough".  According to my son I don't see my talents. I know this about me.... I am best when I allow my soul to soar like an eagle and be totally free. I guess that's what art is all about.... freedom of expression.

I thought I'd share  my experience of  this totally unique  trompe l'oeil class  at the Faux Academy. First and foremost, Garth's words "I can show even the non-artist the steps necessary to render extraordinary examples of trompe l'oeil art. The participants who successfully follow these simple steps and formulas will be in awe of their new-found abilities" are so true. Wow, when we first saw what we were supposed to paint, we gasped for air. NO WAY! Garth was able to  put us to ease immediately and  the class began. Replete with  fun, laughter and great food (according to the participants) we embarked on an adventurous trip creating our masterpieces.

First we were introduced to Benjamin Moore Flat  Exterior acrylic paint. I always painted my murals with Windsor Newton acrylics, so that was different for me. The canvas (sign painting canvas) was easier to handle and very light weight. Paint colors were all selected from the fan deck, which meant virtually no mixing, which is a good thing.

We used cartoons transferring/pouncing each design segment onto the canvas. Garth promised it's "like painting by numbers" - and it was.  With Garth's guidance the murals  began to grow into a "WOW"  piece of art. We couldn't believe that we could create this mural.

But we did! And we are proud!! And we had fun doing it.

An awesome class, thanks to the guidance of Garth Benton, an extraordinary teacher who encouraged us and read us like a book. Thank you Garth.

As I mentioned before the Vichyssoise and Wiener Schnitzel were well liked and I promised to list the recipes - here they are!

Vichyssoise  (vee-she-shwaz)Potato soup flavored with leeks and onions (mostly served cold), but IMO hot is so much better and that's the way I served it.

It is a somewhat pretentiously French name for an American soup first served  in 1917 to Ritz-Carlton, New York City  patrons by chef Louis Diat. Chef Diat named the soup after his home town Vichy, although attempts were made during World War II to change the name altogether. But the name stuck, although  most well-meaning folks don’t even know how to pronounce it correctly. The proper French pronunciation is "vee shee swahzz" and NOT "vee shee swah" because an "e" after the final "s" signals a "zzz" sound. A simplistic potato soup recipe of his mother created with a new twists such  as  leeks, onions and very importantly whipping cream. 

At any rate, it is an absolutely simple soup to make and  in fact, you could call it Leek potato soup, it still tastes great.

Here is my recipe:

4 fresh, washed and sliced leeks. White part only(About 2 to 2 1/2 cups)
4 cups peeled and diced baking potatoes
6 to 7 cups Swanson light Chicken Stock

2 Tablespoon unsalted butter

1 cup crème fraîche or whipping cream
Salt and white pepper to taste

Garnish - Fresh chives

In a 3-quart saucepan with cover simmer leeks and onion. (do not brown.)
Add Potatoes and chicken stock
Simmer until potatoes art done.
Purée  the soup and add whipping cream or crème fraîche.
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Wiener Schnitzel

Much to my distress Wiener Schnitzel is always referred to as "German". I am here to say it is so Austrian as Apple Pie to America. Wiener(Vienna) Schnitzel is an extremely loved  Austrian traditional dish  and is served with a mixed salad(potatoes and lettuce) or a potato salad. BTW both of my children were about six years old when they first learned to make Wiener Schnitzel. They still love it today. 

4 Butterfly pork chops pounded paper thin
Flour
Eggs (beaten)
Bread crumbs
Lard (traditional and best) or you may substitute with oil
Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper  cutlets
Dip both side in flour
Submerge in beaten eggs followed by the bread crumbs
Heat enough lard that the cutlets "swim" in the very hot lard.
Brown until golden.
Trick insert fork. If fork comes out easily the Wiener Schnitzel is done. 

Guten Appetit!

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