A Participant's Review of the Historic Paints and Faux Finishes Workshop

An excerpt about our most recent HISTORIC PAINTS AND FAUX FINISHES WORKSHOP from one of the participants, and a dear friend:

The historic painting workshop was fascinating. I've been enjoying the feeling of being in class, taking notes and looking at slides! **I think I've been craving this kind of focus, this kind of subject matter. I've walked away feeling inspired to start so many projects! ** It's been a few years now since I've had the opportunity to talk exclusively about painting for hours at a time.

Athens is an interesting town. Victorian houses and storefronts in rows, with trailers and little salt box houses between. I've lived in towns like this, but they were too sleepy for me. This one is far more alive. I suppose if I lived in the city and had the means, I'd like a Victorian project home on the riverside too. I can appreciate the need for an escape.

S's friends are great fun. Interested in the sensuality of objects, food, and drink. We and I spent two lovely nights sitting along the porch on rocking chairs admiring the stars. I was impressed by the level of detail they've incorporated into their living spaces. There was a fabulous walnut sofa upholstered in silhouettes of trees. Both her friends and her uncles had collections of old photographs and portraits of mysterious, stern-looking men and women. I understood very well the impulse to populate one's home with faces and personalities. It seems to me unimportant that they be family or known people.

I’ll be damned! I left my camera battery charger at home! I am kicking myself over this… There were some beautiful scenes I should have documented. Hopefully, S. will make a flicker site or pass the images along to me.

We visited Olana, the home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church. He designed the home with inspiration from his trips to Arabia and the Orient. The mansion is perched at the apex of a mountain, looking over the Hudson River. A breathtaking view can be taken in on the rear porches. One of the presenters at the workshop had recently completed the restoration of the original stencils found throughout the house. It's an opulent space. In some cases, Church imitated the Arabian theme with innovation! Placing a meticulously made paper cut-out, in the style of a Morrocan screen, between two panes of glass, to simulate the effect. All wall colors were original, in palettes of ochre, red, purple. I have returned home with some ideas!

The presenting artists were all lovely people, with great command over their medium. I learned a great deal about paints and varnishes. When I experience something as I did this weekend, I come away with questions about my own path as a painter. The lectures were given in the context of restoration, which is something I was once very interested in pursuing as a career. But I feel fairly certain I will not end up doing this. It is more useful to me as a way of bringing contemporary subject matter into a traditional medium. For instance, I think it would be great to do narrative murals in historic style, or giving the illusion of being old. There are also possibilities for creating objects that simulate aged wood. I shall practice on my apartment!! Perhaps I will begin with a stencil border on my plank living room floor?

I feel relaxed, as if I have been away for a week. It was the best escape I've had all summer!

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Thank you Ami! Here are the pictures I took from the workshop. Enjoy, Sarah