Blog Posts

…more artistic musings

I remember vividly the very first time I was asked what color palette did I use.

I had just completed my first oil masterpiece (at least I thought so) and thought it deserved a “proper” frame, perhaps something gilded? Stuffed the boys in the Ford 500 and off I went to a high-end gallery.

Much to my delight I found the perfect frame (within the budget) and before there was time to reconsider the purchase the oil painting was assembled.

The framer helped me to my car, as I had my hands full navigating 3 small curious boys through this very exclusive showroom filled to the brim with art treasures. And, thats when the question was asked, what palette did I use (now realize it was OLD WORLD). Little did I know then that a simple inquiry as to what color palette did I prefer to use would begin a fifty plus year journey.

OLD MASTER PALETTE

The diligence studying color and trying to understand relationships of the individual pigments when placed side by side or when they are mixed together really paid off when working with my clients.

PAINT COLOR SAMPLES USED BY CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS

Below is an article that was written explaining my very first introduction working as a professional FAUX FINISHER.

THE PERFECT COLOR

The call came when she needed it the most. It would mean that her newly launched business was being acknowledged. She hoped that she didn’t sound too unprofessional or inexperienced as details were being discussed. The client had suggested a visit to the studio but she hesitated at the idea. Everything wasn’t in its place and didn’t she often enter rooms expecting to see a familiar family member. But, how could she? See them that is…she now lived alone.

She had obviously had been inattentive to the callers needs. Perhaps making a response at an inappropriate time. Everything that had stayed the same in that boring mode for the last eight years had not changed. Once “out”, she had to think of more effective ways to survive. She had elected to use her brains and become part of the living. I had better get with the program and join the human race or I’ll surely not make it. Her responses to the callers request must have been incorrect because she was jolted back into the conversation about colors, fabrics, measurement, time constraints by the caller asking “are you blond”…”No” she replied. “I’m brunette…Why?” Information was exchanged as to the date and time of meeting. This is it she thought. I am on my way.

Upon arrival at the initial appointed date and hour, an extremely attractive blond greeted her at the door. With attitude. Perfect hair, nails, make-up. Been there done that she thought. “Who are YOU the attractive one asked. Even though the greeter was small in stature, she somehow got the feeling she was being looked down upon. Or, perhaps it was the greeters’ way of sizing her up. “Barbara, we had an appointment”. It was more of a question than a statement of fact. Stepping aside, while still holding the doorknob, the ATTRACTIVE ONE said “No. I’m S u s a nnnnnn”. “Oh” she replied hoping that her sigh of relief wasn’t too obvious.

After surveying the situation, room colors that needed to ehanged, exact measurements etc, it was decided that the three ladies would go to a local coffee shop to discuss ideas for the new domain. That seemed simple enough., the coffee face off. Two extremely attractive blonds, obviously city savvy, best of friends sitting directly across from her. Checking her out to see if she knew her stuff. But, she did…or was she simply faking it? Fighting to survive in a new competitive world that she was just learning from first hand experiences that takes no prisoners.

Barbara didn’t seem to care that she had only 2 2″ slides that were respresentative of her work. Or that she had to hold up the little squares up to direct light to get a good viewing. What mattered is what was on the slides themselves. The strength of the work would be judged by the quality of the content on the slide itself. But, for now she was fighting off her fears created in the past, while holding back her terror of the future. Or, was she running for her life? But, for now, there were notes to be taken, ideas to be discussed.

Barbara let Susan do most of the talking. So much so that the following week every sample was created was influenced by Susan. To the extreme of having Susan’s name on the order and not Barbara’s. Finally managed to get the new clients name right. “”Something should be fixed though…this green is not quite right…I don’t want it to look too Army”. “Hmmm” she said, hoping that everything would go well enough to get a deposit. This had to fixed fast to appease the client. Her mind went bland. “Wait a minute”…Barbara said, “I see the perfect green!’…Where? she replied, putting her left hand to her chest as she felt a sense of relief. The client used her index finger to point directly to a spot on her nose, forcing her eyes to cross as she followed its direction. “There..now please don’t wash your face until that perfect color is on my walls.”

It became obvious to her that she failed hygiene 101 that day as she diligently had made the samples. Now, in a normal situation anyone else would have felt embarrassed. After all these two women were a hard act to follow. But, she was not living in a normal situation nor would she ever be again.

As she drove out of the parking lot she had a smile on her face, a deposit in her hand and the PERFECT COLOR that would complete the project, feeling totally independent and studio savvy.

…more artistic musings

FINALLY being able to bring CLASSICAL Decorative Arts BLOG twelve year project to completion and thought it would be interesting to share my computer development adventures I’ve had over the years.

DATE BOOK, TO DO JOURNAL, SPREADSHEET

REQUIRED SPREADSHEET

IN THE PAST whenever I was asked about this ongoing project I would try to condense it into a 3 minute conversation. I soon learnt that anything more risks boring the listener. Have to admit that I almost threw in the towel on this project at times because I just didn’t “get it”and felt totally lost as to what to do next to fix the problem(s). I soon realized that two notebooks were required to keep track of my progress. One to develop content and the other to write down technical analysis of the next steps.

AS MY MOTHER would often say “everything comes to an end” and so did this huge undertaking of creating a functioning informative BLOG.

IT ALL BEGAN in 2002 with a starter site and that began my interests in technology and website building. Below are excerpts from an article I wrote for a trade magazine that can be totally relatable today.

~

June 2005

…In the past I dismissed anything remotely technical. Hey, I felt accomplished running my external answering machine. I refused to upgrade the cell phone because I finally figured out how to use it properly. If it works, why fix it? I didn’t care if it was the size of a small shoe box. A close friend tried to embarrass me because my microwave could hold a small 50 pound turkey and brought the power down at the condo complex. Given these several examples of me not having the desire to keep “current”, it was quite a surprise to most friends and family of my decision to invest in a sleek new, compact, state of the art computer. Not to mention that I had crossed over to join the Mac team of enthusiasts. This had most shaking their heads and offering unwelcome advice on money management. But, I must say that before purchasing this puppy I really did my homework.

…Knowing absolutely nothing about these curiosities a salesperson(s) could tell me anything and I would have been impressed. Wow, I get extra floppies with that one? No mention of memory, USB, Firewire, speed, support or warranty. I definitely was shooting from the hip, but I had to start somewhere. My final decision came after having a chance conversation with a client. This seemingly insignificant conversation opened up my eyes and my world to the Macintosh.

…Once I made up my mind to purchase the computer of choice, I had a hard time convincing the exhausted and often exasperated sales staff. Lady, hadn’t you been in our store ENDLESS times before and wasted (our) time? I asked my questions with the enthusiasm of an obvious novice while gathering the necessary important (to me) data with the style only a drill sergeant or the mother of five could appreciate. When the day arrived to finalize my decision, sign the check and declare my formulated password (the new hire gave me HIS), no sales associate could or would believe it. For, all who had tried to assist me in the past remained huddled behind the counter as if planning which way to out-play the opponent.

BEGINNER MUSE TOOLS ~ MY FIRST START-UP MAC 2004

…However, once business was taken care of, it took both hands and all of my balancing skills to carry the numerous bags that contained the additional necessary accessories and the smart square handled box containing the actual MAGIC machine (called THE COMPUTER) out of the store. Once home and still marveling at my savvy business sense (didn’t I get the sales guy to throw in that slick black computer case), I soon realized I was clueless on how to turn it on or off and had to call the store for advice.

…Realizing that I had to crawl before I could run, I allowed myself time to become acquainted with my new mystery machine, Apple’s excellent online support was only several clicks away, but I was unable to understand the jargon that was used for explanation purposes. Sure, a manual had been included, but even its large print and one-syllable words could not be clear enough for this writer to understand. I had a complete lack of knowledge and made translation painfully difficult. The dumber than DUMB books seemed advanced at this stage in the game. But, not before my share of crashes, backup failures, files that became mysteriously lost, along with hard drive complications. Could the last mishap occurred because I had not tuned the computer off in a year? Gee, nobody told me I needed to do that.

…I found out the hard way after loosing ten thousand priceless photographs and the necessity of scheduling routine backups. And, lest I forget to mention endless service 911 calls to Apple helpline because of printer complications? Oops…does that cord really have to be connected to something electric? Guess my mind was set on being wireless just a little too early. Frequently calling had its rewards though. just saying my name required no further identification or product information.

…Gosh, did I need to have a Masters Degree in Computer Science just to register my new purchase? Is that the letter “o” or a zero that is required for license verification? I was so proud when I told a friend that I finally hooked up my airport wireless connection successfully without assistance. “How hard could that have been?” he asked…”its wireless”.

…more artistic musings

LOUIS SULLIVAN (1856-1924) the American Architect often referred to as father of modern design, mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright and creator of the modern skyscraper was my inspiration for a guest lecture given during the INTERNATIONAL SALON in Atlanta, GA. this lecture discussed the recreation process with visual representation, and respectfully pays homage to Sullivan.

INTERNATIONAL SALON was a five-day event that I was privileged to present a KEYNOTE LECTURE on a project that was completed at a Historical Landmark in Chicago, IL. During the research process, SULLIVAN’s individuality began to emerge. While showing CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS creative, and recreation process with visual representation, the lecture respectfully pays homage to SULLIVAN as a man, artist, architect and his contribution to the architectural landscape.

SULLIVAN was born on September 3, 1856 in Boston Massachusetts and relocated to Chicago after the windy city’s Great Fire in 1871.

During his career SULLIVAN executed approximately 238 designs. While in partnership with Adler from an 1883 until June 1895 he was involved in 158 projects. Today only 50 remain standing. One exception is the Chicago Art Institute full-scale rendition and reconstruction.

THE DESIGNS REFLECT the current writings of Darwin, the botanist Asa Grey with the transcendentalist aspects of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau.

The architectural firm of Vinci and Kenny recreated the original room that is permanently installed at the Art Institute of Chicago.

CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS recreated the reconstructed Trading Room wing at Driehaus Capital Management in downtown Chicago. Project required extended onsite museum research and months of studio preparation before work could commence at the Historical Cable House. In early 1996 the reproduced historical room was unveiled.

The Louis Sullivan reproduction required 63 stencil overlays and 33 individually mix-to-match colors to reproduce the room as Sullivan originally intended.

Further Reading:

Louis Sullivan and the Chicago School. Nancy Frizer, Knickerbocker Press

Sullivanesque: Urban Architecture and Ornamentation. Ronald E.Smith. University of Illinois Press

The Trading Room: Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Stock Exchange. John Vinci

…more artistic musings

I came across LIZ STEEL’S Online Sketching Courses in 2014 and so glad that I did.

The discovery came at a really good time as I was going through down sizing with CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS. At a cross road as to what’s next after retiring from having an active artistic business for 25 years I needed a new direction that could use previous long put aside interests.

The introduction to Liz’s buffet of courses was FOUNDATIONS.

As I worked through the LESSONS of this introduction class, there are a total of 12, I soon realized that the course closely resembled information being taught during my beginnings at the AMERICAN ACADEMY of ART in Chicago.

Written notes along with various size hard and soft cover sketchbooks used during LIZ STEEL FOUNDATION and EDGES COURSE (left). Original notebook used during seven years at the AMERICAN ACADEMY (right).

Soon, EDGES, WATERCOLOR ON LOCATION, SKETCHBOOK DESIGN, BUILDINGS, WATERCOLOR, and TEACUPS have been added over the years to my “course load”.

In addition to the double digit LESSONS for the individual COURSE there were LiveStreams where participation is encouraged. The various forums of Discussion, Breakthrough Gallery, Material List, Support/FAQ, Tips for getting the most out of the course, and Important Notices guided me through re-entry into creating while learning how to participate in an online art community.

Sketching supplies in TRAVEL TOOL KIT

Various SKETCHBOOK SAMPLES

While a particular COURSE is being offered, the LiveStream is live and Liz is available during the run of 4-8 weeks to answer questions that pertain to the current course. With the Self Directed there are LiveStream Replays available for all the above mentioned that can be accessed 24/7. Not to mention that the purchase never expires. Access to your account is always open.

Currently, this has been a perfect way for me to add art back into my everyday life without the pressure of producing large formal works. However, I have since found that there is a charm about having a sketchbook filled with sketches using various tools. Not to mention the spontaneous interaction with observers that often invites conversation.

Urban Sketching Event Chicago, IL ~ Michigan Avenue

...more artistic musings

LIFE DRAWING has always been an interest to me. I was taught at the AMERICAN ACADEMY of ART early on that if you can master the proportions of the human body you would be able to draw anything.

Realizing that all is not lost, but kinda “hidden” from the memory when sketching the human form is not practiced for years. And that is what was soon discovered as I re-trained my “hand and eye co-ordination” to render the proportations correctly.

Live Model ~ 30 Minute ~ Brown Conte

However, many years had passed while moving ahead in a totally unrelated career direction of RESTORATION. To even begin to remember the numerous drawing supplies and tools used years before at the American Academy became a journey of re-discovery

5 Minute Quick Sketch ~ Ink Fude Pen

Now, I freely experiment with different inks, pens, various nibs including watercolor washes that can add weight and movement to the quick sketch.