At Large In Europe - Farmers Market

Recently I spent 4 months in Europe. Many moons ago, I immigrated to the USA. Since then, America has become my home away from home. I love the American way. However, I did not realize how much I really missed some of the European ways. Things, I was not aware of. Something I did not realize on my previous six week visits.

One thing I really miss and missed are the European " Wochenmarkt"

( Open air Farmers Markets). One possibly can't imagine the abundance of fresh and pesticide free flowers, veggies, breads, cheese etc.

I miss my obligatory early Saturday morning drive in my little Porsche Cabrio 356, to the local farmers market. Truth be told, I did not miss many Saturdays. Even at that tender young age, Saturdays never came early enough. Nowadays, me and my lil' red truck have to be satisfied with the local nurseries or flower row for fresh flowers. I miss the happy, colorful abundance of the open air market.

The market is alive.

• You meet friends and acquaintances.
• You sample the goodies being offered at almost every stand.
• It's fun it energizes me.
• The wares are pesticide free.
• Most of all the the food is fresh.

Come spring, the number one offering, the Grüne Soße, a delicious summer dish said to be the favorite of German favorite of German playwright "Goethe",(Green Sauce), is also my favorite spring and summer meal, even so it's not Austrian.

Well, I must go and fix some Grüne Soße. C'om on over and have some.

Stay tune, I will give you the recipe in my next post. PROMISE!

Guten Appetit!

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Grüße aus Amerika

Hallo,

Sheraton Hotel  On Market Street

Herzliche Grüße aus St. Louis!!!






Ich lebe hier in St.Louis und arbeite als Malerin und Innenarchitektin. 


In Kürze werde ich einen speziell deutschen Blog für meine Leser herstellen. Bis dahin bitte ich um Geduld.. Ihr wisst ja.... was lange dauert, wird endlich gut.

Ich bitte Euch auch mir meinen amerikanischen Akzent zu vergeben. Ich lebe seit 34 Jahren hier in St. Louis und habe zwischenzeitlch mich mit dem Satz  "Deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache " abgefunden.

Hollywood Reporter

Hier habe ich ein Wandgemälde für ein Spa angefertig. Man kann wunderbare Motive auf eine Leinwand malen und diese Leinwand  auf die Wand kleben. Ganz einfach. So könnt Ihr das Bild immer wieder abmachen. Schaut wie dieses Wand fertig aussieht. Auch meine Sassie (Hund) wurde mit eingemalt. Natürlich mit ihrem Cartier Halsband, es musste ja Glitz und Klimmer sein.

Projekt Sheraton Hotel in St. Louis. Diese Art von Malerei nennt man  Trompe L'oeil ( tromp leu) " ("das Auge betrügen") Wir haben den Begriff von den Franzsosen übernommen. Das Gemälde muß so echt aussehen, dass man an Wirklichkeit glaubt. Bei Euch sagt man auch " Illusionsmalerei". Erfolg heisst hier, den Betrachter zu täuschen.


So wird es gemacht.

•   Motive mit einem Tintenstift  maßstabgerecht malen. Ich ziehe Tinte vor, da man eine qualitative gute Zeichnung anfertigen kann. 
• Wenn Ihr nicht malen könnt, könnt Ihr auch ein Projektor nehmen, um das Bild auf die Wand zu projektieren.

•  Das Motiv/Gemälde bei einer Druckerei  maßstabgerecht vergrößen lassen.

Copy....
1. ....mit einem Nährad durchlöchern. Ihr könnt auch eine Nähmaschine ohne  Faden benutzen.






2. ....auf die Leinwand legen und befestigen. Im Projekt "Sheraton haben ich es direkt auf die Wand befestigt.

3. ....mit Kohlenstaub heftig betupfen.


 

4.....abmachen.

5.....nun hast Du Dein Motiv auf der Leinwand.  .... jetzt wird gemalt.

Nächstes Mal lasse ich Euch alles über "Shabby Chic" wissen. 

Bis dahin alles Gute und eine gutes Wochende.


Heidi

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At Large In Europe

I have been shopping since days, trying to get some faux painting supplies together...my shopping basket remains empty. Somehow, I knew, that there was a reason, that I mostly create or teach faux painting with anything I can find. Often I use flour, vinegar, coffee, sugar, and gelatin, etc. etc.

Here in Europe, I am in a "pickle", without aforementioned simple mediums. Although, I love and use some American faux finish products, such as the Modern Master line, Crescent Bronze, Golden and Perfetto, here I must start from scratch; just because, these products are not being sold in Germany. The German faux finish shelves are bare.Where are the beautiful finishes from yesteryear and which I remember so well?

Yesterday, I was at "OBI", the German Home Depot, trying to "fill my bucket". I did find some wonderful brushes. BTW, I do have a brush fetish! Don't we all?????

I will continue my search for mediums that I can use creating new and exciting faux finishes. Please stay tune! Until next time..... Servus!! Heidi

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At Large In Europe

It's good to be back home again!!!!

I have been "at large" in Europe for quite some time. It's good to be back; but I am beginning to miss my children, my home, my friends and lots more. BTW the "missing part" is not in a specific order.

Before I left, friends kept asking me "are you coming back"?  Never did I give it much thought, but I kind of wondered? Somehow, my friends knew more then I did. I have such great friends!!!

So, I am battling my demons: To stay here or to come home? I did not realize how many European things I missed; neither was I particularly grateful about the American cool ways and things. Can I get the "BEST" of my two worlds? Possibly!!! I am working on it!!!!!

So, here is what I missed from my European heritage:

Christmas Markets...... and  the scent of the obligatory Christmas roasted almonds (can't eat any, because according to European standards 139lbs borders on obesity) I am on a diet!!!

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Question - How to apply a finish to a stucco wall???

author of Time Crafted 8/30/2010 9:35:44 PM

I have a question (see me raising my hand high?!)!!

How to deal with California highly textured walls and getting a clean edge! 

Okay, that's more of a frustrated statement/topic than a question, but hope you get where I'm going.

I see so many cool paint treatments and just know they would be a nightmare with my current painting knowledge base; our lovely textured walls (not just the bumpy kind, but the kind where you can look at them and see shapes in all the raised  depressed areas that are highly visible...even with matte paint).

Thanks! :

Heidi's Reply

Hello Karen,

I assume that your wall is "stucco" thus absorbent, unless it's painted with eggshell sheen paint.

If that is the case you need to prime your walls first. Then you would apply your eggshell paint finish.The eggshell paint finish will provide a non-absorbent surface, which is necessary for any type of glazing  In your case I would suggest  a color wash or a dry brush technique. Both will give you a subtle glow of all highs and lows.

Dry Brush Technique

Color wash followed by dry brush technique

 Painting a straight, clean and crisp "edge" on a textured wall can be a challenge. Here is a trick I often use. I seal my painters tape with varnish. Just paint varnish on the edge of the tape.You must use the same sheen of varnish as your paint. (satin paint, satin varnish).The varnish runs under the tape thus sealing any spaces. After the varnish is dry you can begin to paint. Once everything is dry remove your tape and you will have a  a very crisp edge.

Dry brush Technique: 

  

Steps.

• Using a 4" chip brush, load the brush with a small amount of paint.. On a palette (newspaper, cardboard) deposit most of the paint, so you only  have a small amount on the brush, thus dry brush.
• Move the brush rapidly across the surface. Any direction is required.
• Brush should be barely filled with paint
• Use a very light touch

By the way, I have my aspiring faux finishers close their eyes and talk to me when they are applying the paint. This relieves the anxiety and intimidation of the brush.


Color Wash Technique: I found a video which might be helpful to you 

I hope this blog is helpful. Thanks for asking.

Happy Painting

 

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Color Me Turquoise

A few days ago, I posted some insights about the new trendy colors. As an decorative artist and an interior design buff, I always try to be ahead of schedule. Being raised in the fashion industry, I take my color inspirations exactly from that industry. Colors are very important to me, I have many "favorites" all depending on my feelings and energy at the time..



The color Turquoise:
I never considered turquoise one of my favorites.. However, recently I seem to be drawn to this calming and soothing color. Turquoise, a semi-precious stone, also known as "sky stone" was  a piece of jewelry I could do without. Turquoise as an interior  color,  has become one of my favorites. Now I have an excuse to hunt for   turquoise accessories.

Look at this - these  colors together are absolutely GORGEOUS

I love the symbolism and history of every color.  I would like to share some of these beliefs and myths. Following what I have discovered  about  this semi-precious stone from Turkey.

  A  mix of blue, green and aqua, this "cool" color: represents

water and sky, thus "sky stone". It is believed that turquoise represents

• Youth
• Communication
• Generosity
• Love
• Healing
• Emotion
• Feelings 
• Creativity

and it is a color of feeling and creative expression  rather than rational thought (seems to be the right color for me, need I  say more?)

For your inspiration  I collected a few images that you might like and appreciate. Maybe you even feel inspired to use this soothing color in your home.

Courtesy of Drake Design Associates

Courtesy Of Girl World Decor

 Let me know what you think

 

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Through My Crystal Ball... Not really!!

Color Me Happy!

Courtesy of  Living In Color

 I was MIA for the last few weeks. Simply, because I am in the midst of  that awful  "writers block" My brain seems to be on overload,  having  difficulties to focus on what I would like to say.


In my personal life  "stay in the here and now" is working; however, in my business life that would spell failure. I have to look into the future, create reasonable forecasts and lastly be aware of any new trends. 2010 is flying by and almost gone. Looking into my crystal ball, or more accurately, doing some on-line research, I discovered some of the new interior color palettes and interior trends.. It seems that we are ready for

• Renewal
• Optimistic Outlook
• Global interest
• Simplicity
• Escape
• Balance

Although it's impossible for us to constantly change our interior color palette, it is possible to add some colorful sparkles of the trendy color palettes.  Here are some color splashes  I absolutely love. Of course, I will be scouting stores to catch some of these colorful accessories and I will weave them into my interior spaces. Maybe you can do the same.


Happy hunting, 


xoxo

 Heidi .. Plays with Paints

 

Tomato red

Sunny Coral

Verde de Gris

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