Capital Area Decorative Artisans

January Meeting Canceled

2012-01-11T10:01:00.000-05:00

Uh oh. January 12th meeting had to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Stay tuned for February and March.

Annie Sloan coming to Virginia to teach a workshop

2012-01-09T23:58:00.001-05:00

Chalk paint inventor Annie Sloan is coming to Leesburg, Virginia, March 31 to teach a workshop as part of her 9-region 2012 American Tour, "Living in the Home, Enjoying the Home, Creating it Yourself."

Entire 9-region tour is March 16-April 2.
The South Atlantic (Upper) Region workshop--that's us, Virginia--will be March 31, Saturday, at the National Conference Center, 4 miles east of Leesburg. A block of rooms has been reserved if one needs to spend the night.
Workshop is 8:30am-5:00pm (full schedule, right column) and costs $350. Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and workshop materials will be provided. Attendees can expect to enjoy a 2-hr demo and history given by Annie, a 4-hr hands-on workshop covering Annie's range of techniques with chalk paint and soft wax with special techniques and effects, and a book signing/social hour.
Only a certain number from each state can register. So if you're interested, don't procrastinate. Take note of all the registration rules. The fee is non-refundable.

Wall Finish from a Sewing Box - Inlaid Mother of Pearl Mosaic

2011-12-29T00:07:00.000-05:00

In From Sewing Box to Wall Finish from her blog, Out of My Studio, Cynthia Davis shared this drop-dead gorgeous, very creative wall finish. When completed, it has the look of inlaid mother of pearl or jeweled mosaic.
Fair warning: This is not a fast procedure, It definitely takes patience to create but the result appears seems to be well worth the effort. It's a good one for small areas, e.g. splashboards, inset panels, small wall over the tub, etc.
Cynthia gives very clear, step-by-step instructions with pictures in the From Sewing Box to Wall Finish post. Here is only an overview..

placing shells on
main lines of pattern

Seems like the first thing to do is look through all those buttons you've saved, especially the shiny, translucent ones. Those with a shank instead of holes seem to be best. You'll need a lot of small, flat shells, too. Cynthia cites sources for shells and buttons/embellishments should you need to buy some.

With plaster and a wallpaper brush, start by creating a dragged texture on the surface, dragging both horizontally and vertically. Let dry and trowel plaster through your chosen stencil. While the plaster is wet, place small, flat shells following the pattern. The pattern used here is Wallover's Ethnic Grid Mod stencil.
Let that dry, then adhere with craft glue flat, mother of pearl buttons, filling in all the empty spaces inside and outside the design lines.
Play with the button colors to create interest, e.g. here the silvery buttons are placed on the outside and the pearly ones on the inside.

filling-in completed

filling in spaces with flat mother of pearl buttons

After everything is filled in and completely dry, fill the gaps with tile grout, let set, and wipe away excess.

completed finish

Be sure to click on Cynthia Davis' From Sewing Box to Wall Finish to see more pictures and read the complete steps.

The Virtual Pinboard - Pinterest

2011-12-27T02:33:00.000-05:00

Sunlight pinned by Danielle Gochenaur

"Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web." You're find information and inspiration on a HUGE range of subjects--color, art of all kinds, trends, typography, DIY, interior design, style, architecture, fashion, food, videos, gifts, and so much more. (One pull-down menu is entitled Everything.) Then you can click on an interesting photo/article and be lead to the creator's site, e.g. Sweet Home Style. (BTW, Thank you to Denise for wanting everyone to know about Pinterest.)
What can you do with Pinterest?

What can you do with this virtual pinboard? "People use pinboards to plan...decorate...and organize. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people..."

"Cool Stairs" pinned by Darla Bell

Eroded Hues pinned by salpalsd

To get started, you need to request an invitation by going to their Home page. Right now, one has to register via Facebook Connect or connect through Twitter. Organizers advise, however, that after joining, one can unlink or delete the Facebook/Twitter account and still log in with one's email address and password. Setup and other information are on the Help page.

Fab New Cleaner: EZ Clean Stencil Prep

2011-12-27T00:23:00.000-05:00

You all know what fun it is to clean stencils especially after using metallics or textures. No problem with EZ Clean Stencil Prep. No more scrubbing! No more damaging stencils. Best thing since sliced whole grain bread.
Ceil prepped her mural stencils used in the November 2011 class. Cleaning them took almost ZERO time and close to ZERO effort.

EZ Clean is a paste that is rolled onto the stencil before using it. You allow the paste to dry, then stencil away with gay abandon. When you're ready to clean, just soak the stencil in warm water and the paint slides off. This product is getting the same rave reviews all over the internet, e.g. on Faux Forum.

Made by Fauxline Products, eco-friendly EZ Clean Stencil Prep can be purchased online. Ceil got her's at IDAL Convention.

Craft Size Stencils from Cutting Edge

2011-12-27T00:22:00.000-05:00

Did you know about the craft size stencils offered by Cutting Edge Stencils?

Smaller versions of their stencils normally used for walls and ceilings, these craft-size are great for DIY home decor projects such as pillows and furniture.

"Marrakech Trellis" craft stencil

"Outside of the Box" craft stencil

Pantone Announces Color of the Year 2012 - Tangerine Tango!

2011-12-14T02:55:00.003-05:00

photo, Phoenix New Times

Acknowledged world authority on color,
Pantone Color Institute announced their 2012 color of the year--Tangerine Tango (17-1463), a "spirited" red-orange. The announcement each year influences design color palettes from wall paint to fashion to graphics to interior decoration. Viewing this color is an automatic energy rush. Pantone calls it "sophisticated, dramatic, and seductive." Are you imagining one whole wall of this adrenaline-rich color? How about un-boring a stairwell?

Ben Moore Wythe Blue, HD 143

Coincidentally, Ben Moore's Color of the Year 2012 is Wythe Blue, HD-143--a lovely complement.
Read more about Wythe Blue and lots of interesting color-related information at the Color Changes Everything blog from color consultant Peggy Fortuna of whatpaintcolor.com .

International Mural Artist Competition and Convention (IMACC)

2011-12-14T01:20:00.006-05:00

- New York City, July 26-31, 2012 - Expo open to the public July 28 and 29

- world's largest Mural Competition plus

massive art materials exhibition

- applications to compete must be received by Dec 31, 2011

- main IMACC site - Team Criteria and Application Form

- featuring ten or more teams of muralists as they complete

life-sized, trompe-l'oeil, themed murals live before the crowds

Team Criteria and Application

Online registration at IMACC (bottom of page)

Email IMACC - 888-508-3289

Follow event on facebook and twitter

Christmas Party Meet-up Time

2011-11-30T23:00:00.002-05:00

partial view, Rufus Porter-style
Willow Creek Farm

Christmas Party 2011 and a new mini-fundraiser will be held in Ashburn VA at Clyde's Willow Creek Farm restaurant. (View a brief fact sheet.)
A tour of the rooms, art work, and Early American folk art mural will begin at 11:00am. Plan on arriving around 10:45-ish so we can begin all together.
Click here to see details about the site in the Nov 18 post.

front entrance, Willow Creek Farm

Lunch will be after the tour. View lunch menu.
Weather permitting, we can walk the gardens or visit one of the out buildings.
Being there is a really lovely experience and worth the indulgence. Who deserves a treat better than you?
Willow Creek is also on Facebook where you'll find lots more images.
A mini-fundraiser will be held at the same time. Art books--faux finish, decorative painting, fine art--will be available for sale at $4 each no matter what the title. The whole $4 will be donated to the CADA treasury. Checks ok if they're made payable to CADA. Cash will be accepted by Linda O'Neill, who will then write a check to the Chapter for the total she collects. A list of the titles should be available next week.

Paint Stick Snowmen and more

2011-11-30T22:59:00.000-05:00

major snowmen components

Look around the studio or garage, and I'll bet you can find extra paint sticks. I ran across a very simple winter project using paint stir sticks at Today's Fabulous Finds. They're really easy to make; great for those visiting grandchildren.
The Today's Fabulous Finds 11-25-10 entry has a step-by-step tutorial, so the instruction needn't be repeated here. The links above will take you right to it.
Don't like snowmen? The 11-22-10 entry gives a free, step-by-step, printable paint stick ornament tutorial.
For this, the large 5-gal sticks (1 1/2" wide) are needed. They're at any paint store (except Sherwin Williams--too narrow), Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart. If not free, they cost pennies.
The sayings are all printed then copied to scrapbook paper and then Mod Podge'd onto a paint stick.
These little creations could be ornaments, gift tags, package decoration, or neighbor/teacher gifts.

6 Christmas Palettes

2011-11-30T13:36:00.001-05:00

Color Sizzle, the "hot ideas for colorful living" blog, gives such good inspiration. Just in case all those decorations are not yet up, Kelly shares six sensational Christmas color palettes.
See all six palettes by clicking here

Color Sizzle

New Video about Community Bridge by William Cochran

2011-11-30T13:35:00.002-05:00

NEW! -- the story of Community Bridge, a 30-min video produced as a gift by Prospective Group Media.
(For the unfamiliar Community Bridge is a large-scale work of public art painted on and around a plan concrete traffic bridge in Frederick MD.)
The video is on YouTube in three parts. View it here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Detail of Bridge - stonework painted on flat concrete
The algae is also painted.

One side of Community Bridge

Wreath and fountain are painted illusion.

part of the Bridge mural; click here for larger image

William Cochran, creator of ingenious public art, teaches classes in Frederick MD and other parts of the country. "He is skilled at inspiring individuals with the creative power, of their own minds, regardless of their background or field."
.

Color Trend: Gray Today

2011-11-28T06:00:00.009-05:00

No doubt about it, gray is the IT color these days. Designer and color expert Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs and Color Sizzle shows just Why You Should Have a Gray Room.

decor8

"The more I saw gray rooms," writes Kelly, "the more I liked what I saw, and I began to notice a warmth in some of the tones. I...was struck by its many variations. Not every gray works for every space. With its myriad of undertones, gray can look blue, green, purple, pinkish, or brown. So selecting the right gray can be tricky."

Color Sizzle

For more inspiration, meander through several Ideabooks on Houzz showing all kinds of gray combinations and nuances.

New Stencil Designs at Henny Donovan

2011-11-28T06:00:00.003-05:00

dress stenciled with designs
from the Chinese flower theme pack

British designer Henny Donovan on her site, Motif, the "home of [original] contemporary stencil design," just announced new designs. Among them are Japanese and Chinese flower theme packs, and Nordic patterns and snowflakes. Free paint is being offered with seasonal stencils. Click here to see all the new designs.

This is very interesting site with lots of examples and illustrations of ways to use each design, different color combinations, and specific descriptions with measurements in inches and centimeters. Prices are stated in British Pounds Sterling, but each design page has a quick link for currency conversion.
Motif offers its own fabric paints, and check out the section on large, oversize designs often used in contemporary design.

How-to-Stencil Videos from Cutting Edge

2011-11-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Cutting Edge Stencils introduces a new series of how-to-stencil videos. These are "short, step by step tutorials...easy to follow and packed with expert tips and tricks." There are nine so far, from How to Stencil a Feature or Accent Wall to How to Stencil a Corner Using a Damask Stencil. Click here to see all nine.

Icon Painting Classes close to Virginia

2011-11-23T02:49:00.001-05:00

Six Days of Creation 2012 is the schedule of 6-day courses in Icon painting. Hexaemeron in 2012 is offering the courses in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina as well as California and overseas..

The courses are advertised for both novice and advanced iconographers. "Students receive intensive instruction in the art and language of the icon from the perspective of Orthodox Church iconography, using the ancient technique of egg-tempera and palette of gold, semi-precious stones, and refined clays."
Tuition fee $775 includes instruction, manual, and all materials.

Click here for what's included in instruction.
Click here for schedule and registration

Shadows: How to Draw the Acanthus, Part V

2011-11-23T02:49:00.000-05:00

Speaking of Surface Fragments (filled with articles, projects, tutorials, illustrations), the Nov 19 post is How to Draw the Acanthus, Drawing Shadows Part V. As you can imagine by the title, this is Part V of "an ongoing series describing how to draw the Acanthus and other ornament." Part V deals with laying in shadows.

Third tint when darkest shadows are added
and reflected light is shown

Instruction is given using illustrations from an 1826 volume of plates by George Smith, "Furniture Draughtsman to His Majesty."
First illustration is an outline drawing of the Acanthus, which proceeds to a second and third tint, adding detail and shadow at every step.

Just in case you don't want ever to draw that pesky Acanthus, the same principles apply to other ornaments, to bas relief, to grisaille (as in the November class), etc.

"perfect example of trompe l'oeil low relief cameo
by Christin Kobke; demonstrates precisely
the technique of expanding the value range
to imply high relief and
reducing the value range to imply low relief"

You might also be interested in In Defense of Decorative Painting or Grisaille, A Closer Look . If not those, then there are lots more on Surface Fragments

Holiday House 2011, Nov 16--Dec 11, NYC

2011-11-23T02:48:00.000-05:00

Chinese New Year-inspired
parlor by Inson Wood

Fourth annual HOLIDAY HOUSE 2011-- a holiday-themed room and table-top show--is open Nov 16 through Dec 11 in New York City, and benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Top designers and artists from around the country have decorated fabulous rooms inspired by a different holiday throughout the year. Modello Designs was a participant.
The show is housed in a residence donated for the event in the ultra-ultra stunning Upper East Side of Manhattan. A video of the Opening Night Gala including a tour of some of the spaces can be seen at the event's Facebook page.
One of the best places to see the rooms is at Apartment Therapy's 10 Decorating Takeaways [Holiday House 2011] .
In Fox News iMag article with video How to Decorate for Thanksgiving Without Using Turkeys, designer Felicia Zwebner shares how she decorated her room. creating a cozy Thanksgiving atmosphere.
Where I first learned of this showhouse was in Alan Carroll's Surface Fragments, a treasure blog of artsy information--history, articles, tutorials, with loads of images and articulate explanations.

Alan Carroll's mural for Bryant Keller's Columbus Day space, Holiday House 2011

faux silk painting in the wall panels
of an EKB space

Alan was one of the artists represented at Holiday House 2011. He created a mural consisting of three 6'x10' panels on an awkward, curved wall above a grand staircase. Alan installed the panels himself with an 8' stepladder and a platform suspended 25 feet over a Steinway [piano]. You can't see, but a lot of decorative painter readers are shaking their heads in amazement.

Christmas Party - Dec 8, Thurs

2011-11-18T03:20:00.001-05:00

Plans are forming now for a luncheon at Clyde's at Willow Creek Farm in Ashburn VA.

Made up of 4 antique buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, outdoor gardens, and a koi pond, Willow Creek Farm is a pretty place on a pretty site. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere, "casual elegant.".

partial view, mural in the style of Rufus Porter
Willow Creek Farm

What's special to us about this place are the handpainted, Rufus Porter-style murals by David Wiggins and Kevin Paulsen.

Murals cover the walls of the long interior hallway and the Samuel French Tavern dining room. Several of their paintings are found at the entrance.

All the rooms are filled with original artwork-- from weathervanes to original Audubon prints, oil paintings and awesome restored 19th century carriages and sleds.

Click here. to read about the history of Willow Creek Farm and what you'll find inside.

Click here to see images of the real Rufus Porter paintings.

Who was Rufus Porter?

Color Inspiration - Purple!

2011-11-18T01:47:00.001-05:00

uktv

Sophisticated, flamboyant, opulent, understated-- versatile purple can be all those things. Not a Vegas showgirl purple---Think plum with chocolate brown; lilac and sage; gray and aubergine; purple with lime.
Kelly Porter of Color Sizzle in "Purple Spaces to Swoon Over," leads to beautiful examples.

Decorative Home Interior

UKTV's Home site is packed with purple inspiration: Decorating with Purple/Creating a Purple Colour Scheme, Purple Living Rooms, Purple and Lime Living Room, Purple Gloss Kitchen, New Victorian Living Room video, Contemporary Purple Living Rooms, and more.
Want more purple inspiration? Go to UKTV's design blog.
Dreary winter days are coming. A little splash of purple could work wonders for the spirit.

Madrid Loft by Creamylife

Decorative Home Interior

uktv

Decorative Home Interior

uktv

Stencil or Paper?

2011-11-17T11:42:00.000-05:00

First in the Stumbled Upon series of interesting finds along the internet trail: The DESIGN PAGES blog, "because it's better when you do it yourself." I recently stumbled on the Oct 7, 2011, post, Stencil or Paper, What Would You Do?

Petal Pusher by Oh Joy
for Hygge and West

Blogger Carol was planning the master bedroom design for her new house and came upon this love-at-first-sight wallpaper (left). With all the wallpaper issues to contemplate, however, she considered a stencil that would give the same effect, and found this allover damask by Royal Design Studio.

Rockin Roses Damask
by Royal Design Studio

Check out these and another interesting allover retro stencil design called Modern by Olive Leaf Stencils in Carol's Oct 7th blog entry. See what kind of comments she received when she asked, "So what do you think? Would you use paper...or...use a stencil?"

A Word from our President about Our November Class

2011-11-16T00:30:00.004-05:00

With ten students at the Nov 9 Class, Grisaille Mural Elements, Tracie Weir lead us beautifully through the process of creating a mural in the monotone technique called grisaille. Everyone's class piece was awesome. How wonderful to have two sets of stencils to use in class. Everyone was very pleased with Tracie's instruction and attention to each student. We obtained a great discount from Cutting Edge Stencils, as well.
If you didn't attend this one, you missed a great class! [Photos will be posted as soon as they're available.]

Magazine Article, Murals and More from Lynn Rutter, San Francisco artist

2011-11-08T00:14:00.002-05:00

Through her newsletter, artist Lynne Rutter announced her article, "A Visit to the Musee des Arts Decoratif," in the current ArtisphereOnline, IDAL's e-magazine. DO NOT MISS THIS ARTICLE AND ITS FABULOUS ILLUSTRATIONS. (BTW, if you haven't looked lately, this e-magazine is a beautiful production loaded with information, resources, and inspiration.)
Also announced:

detail, Les Monuments des Paris, by Lynne Rutter

her classes in gilding and decorative painting techniques, all in San Francisco,
completed commission of a room mural of Les Monuments de Paris painted in grisaille,
commission of Chinese emperor portraits painted for the opening of the San Francisco Opera, and
the compilation of a list of her favorite books on ornament, architecture and design, murals, decorative painting, and furniture decoration.

Check out Lynne's very excellent blog, The Ornamentalist, for a feast of information, works completed and in progress, travel notes, news, and a bunch of other great stuff.

Faux and Fleur Designs For Sale

2011-11-03T00:41:00.000-04:00

By the end of 2011, the successful, well-established decorative painting business, Faux and Fleur Design, will be closing and sending its owner to a well-earned life of retirement. If you are seriously interested in starting a decorative painting business, this is the least expensive and fastest way for a very quick start.

The sale includes 1,000 sample boards, all the tools, floor cloths, scaffolding, glazes, paints, spray equipment, several hundred stencils, blue tape, paper tape, tinting colors, artist painting easel, rolling carts, portfolio cases, and many other items.

Inventory List

Also available for sale are the web site, http://www.fauxandfleur.com/, and name, Faux and Fleur Design.

Email Faux and Fleur for more information..

"Color in the House" Presentation by Farrow and Ball Consultant--tomorrow, Thursday, Nov 3

2011-11-02T02:10:00.000-04:00

A bit short notice, but I just stumbled upon: "Color in the House" Presentation by Farrow and Ball Color Consultant, Ann Pailithorp, Thursday, November 3, at Color Wheel, Light refreshments at 4pm; Presentation and QandA, 4:30-6pm, McLean VA. RSVP required (see below)

Ann's "Color in the Home" presentation will explore how a home can be brought to life through the simple use of color. She will also feature the new Farrow and Ball colors and demonstrate how they fit into the current palette.

Registration fee is $25, limited reserved seating. Attendants receive a gift bag valued at more than $25. A drawing will be held for 3 gallons of Farrow and Ball paint ($255 value) and a copy of the book Living with Color ($40 value). One must be present to win.
RSVP required to rrecor@colorwheel.net, or sign-up at Color Wheel in McLean VA, or visit their Facebook page. Call with questions, 703-356-8477, Ext 103.