These pages hold
the proof that we're one of the best
faux painting schools
in the nation, these are our graduates...
"2004 Excellence in Decorative Artistry" Faux
Painting Winners
Judging was based on the use of
design, color, value, translucency,
illusion of the faux finishing,
venetian plasterr and mural / Trompe l'oeil
painting as well as the amount of
faux finishing / faux painting surface.
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Faux
Finishing & Other Painting Finishes, $300 cash prize
2001
DAC Graduate Sue Hon, Missouri - Kitchen Bath
Textured paint, metal leaf, and faux painting glazes
are integrated into a real faux painting work of art for the walls by Sue
Hon. More than eight layers and six days later one can see the result:
a myriad of textures and values tactfully placed to create this beautiful,
flowing faux finish. Sue has attended many faux painting schools in her
time, when she called to attend she was a skeptic: not all of her experiences
had been good. 15 minutes into class she told me that she had picked the
right place. Sue has paid her dues in continuing education and the job
and it shows in this winning piece.
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Venetian
Plaster, $300 cash prize
2004
DAC Graduate Missy Nance, Missouri - Dining Room
We had an abundance of VP entries this year, all of
the work was excellent, in the final moment we asked: "who took a risk
that worked?". Our answer was this venetian plaster dining room. A beige
or or an off white would have worked easily here, Missy's answer was this
color. The fine architectural elements support the weight of this value,
the structures of the form are visible but not overbearing. The end effect
is a warm balance between the formal and informal, and with the metal it
has a slight southwest, mediterranean, or craftsman style appearance. Missy
began her journey into faux painting and plaster out of interest, now she
gets paid for it with her recently established faux business.
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Trompe
l'oeil - Murals, $300 cash prize
2003
DAC Graduate Martin Thurston, Missouri- Jungle Room Mural
The artist designed and painted an entire room with
this jungle mural of stunning proportions
for
his grateful client. Lifesize elements, tall foliage, and a misty background
set the mood
in
this mural work exceeeding two weeks. I remember speaking to Martin when
he called about my mural painting class, he had painted before but had
put the brush down after the birth of his daughter, so he was skeptical
about his painting future. Over a year later, he has amassed a portfolio
of
undoubtedly
what is some of the finest Trompe l'oeil - Mural painting work today. Modest
as ever,
Martin
stated that he is "greatly honored" to be chosen as the mural painting
category winner.
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Success
in Artistry, Written Category, $100 cash prize
2004
Graduate Dr. Mike Pignatiello, Ohio - "From Structured to Creative"
"Dr. Mike", as I call him, came to me with a vision:
to gain a well rounded, fundamental education in decorative artistry and
to start his faux business. His essay drives home the point that we can
train anyone, from any background or profession,,,and possibly change their
lives in the process.
"Can
an analytical and structured person learn to be more artistic and creative?
Yes! As my family psychology practice in Ohio began to clash with my own
family time, I sought a new avenue that still could be both personally
and financially rewarding, yet more compatible with my lifestyle. However,
given that I am very non-technical and am not into reading a lot, where
could I turn to?
The
Decorative Arts Center faux school and Brian Bullard were my answer. Never
an artist, but someone who enjoys painting a room, I searched hundreds
of websites. I was continually drawn back to the DAC site, for it professed
four vital attributes that I would eventually discover to be true: a frankness
to state that getting the proper training before starting a business would
be beneficial, no hidden agendas to purchase product lines, a graciousness
to offer to not only teach his craft but to be accessible for "Faux Continued
Support" after the faux class concluded, and a genuine sincerity to want
his students to be fulfilled and succeed in the area that has brought him
his own joy and passion.
So,
in 2004, I took Brian's "Fourday Faux Finishing and Business Class", the
"Mural / Trompe l'oeil Course", and finally the "Venetian Plaster Class".
I continued my journey by applying his easily learned techniques in my
own home, which is being transformed room by room, and yes, with the approval
of a guy's two harshest critics: his wife and mother! I have greatly scaled
back my clinical office, am with my family more often, and am going down
the new avenue,,,which for me is certainly a "road less traveled", but
as we once were taught, one that can be a very rewarding path to take".
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Click
here for the "Honorable Mentions" of entries!
Ready for
the 2005 contest?
Click
here to read more and enter
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