Paint Brush in Hand…Decorative Painters Transform Our World One Wall at a Time!
Debra Disman
Have you ever been drawn to touch the walls of a room that have been transformed thru the magic of decorative painting? As you ohhhed and awwwed did you ever wonder about the person who transformed this room from a Yawn to WOW…using only their hands, and well, yes, a few paints, brushes, glazes and plasters, among other materials?
by Debra Disman
Decorative Painter and Principal, Artifactory Studio
Who are the Decorative Painters?
Artists, artisans, crafts and business people, decorative painters are all these, and more, as three of my favorites from around the country can attest!
I asked Lyna Farkas from Spirit of Décor in Ashville, NC, Joy Conway, owner of Funwalls, Albuquerque, NM, and Julie Dexter of Gold Leaf Walls, Colorado Springs, CO, to offer their opinions to help me paint a portrait of the contemporary decorative painter working in the U.S. today.
Decorative Painters Come from All Walks of Life
After years in the business, corporate, and retail fields, Lyna, Joy and Julie pursued decorative painting as a way to “find my creative side and do something restful for my soul”, to become more fulfilled, “make art and a good living at the same time”, and “embellish my environment’.
Thriving on Variety and Transformation
What thrills the most about being a decorative painter? Variety and transformation! As Joy says, “Being a decorative painter means that every day is different.” She and Lyna “love the variety”. Julie likes “being able to transform a client’s home, from the initial vision to the end result…”, and giving the Client that “Wow” experience at the end of the project.
Not Enough Hours in the Day!
When asked what is the greatest challenge in being a Decorative Painter, time constraints rule. Wearing the hats of marketer, educator, estimator, artist, artisan, craftsperson, business person, accountant, and design consultant, to say nothing of chief paint mixer and brush washer can be challenging! Lyna finds that networking with other artists gives her the confidence to pull in help when needed.
And now we come to the heart of the matter…
Artist verses Business Person: Conflict?
Like many others, Lyna was a business person with an “entrepreneur soul” before she found her “creative side”. Thus, she is able to pull in all her skills to make a successful Decorative arts business.
“Having to constantly change from left to right brain is the second most challenging aspect of being a decorative painter for me… after time constraints.” says Joy .
Julie does not feel a conflict, as she informs the Client that she may take artistic license and that the project will be a “leap of faith’ to some extent. Her Clients are excited about the adventure!
Decorative Painting: Keeping the Soul Alive!
When asked what decorative painting adds to our world, Lyna declares, “I fully believe that surrounding yourself with beauty nurtures your soul”.
“Decorative painting adds a human element to our buildings,” explains Joy. “It shows the work of a human hand. I have seen the results of people being surrounded by color, forms and design. They are happier, more productive, more alive.”
Julie laments, “Our society is turning away from high quality artisanship in favor of fast and cheap, lowering standards of excellence. Being a decorative painter keeps age-old skills, and the appreciation thereof, alive.”
A Word from ArtiFactory Studio
Experience shows that we can become more calm, energetic, stimulated, peaceful and alive through interaction with our visual surroundings. Color, texture, pattern and imagery can enhance, beautify, and transform the built environment, as well as communicate hopes, thoughts, ideas and experiences.
In an increasingly technological world, there is a corresponding need for work created by hand; art and craft which expresses the individual or group. In meeting this need, Decorative painters can help to balance, beautify, and transform our world, one space at a time.
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Category: Interior Design
About the Author (Author Profile)
Debra Disman is principal of ArtiFactory Studio and is an SF Bay Area Decorative Painter. Her passion is to translate her Client’s inner vision into concrete visual form. Debra’s company ArtiFactory Studio, provides custom decorative painting, murals and color consultation to customers from all backgrounds and walks of life. She can help you use the magic of decorative painting to transform your home, place of business, even your community!
Debra holds a degree in painting from the University of Iowa and has studied in France, San Francisco, and San Diego. She is an Associate member of the International Association for Colour Consultants/Designers and serves as the Color Muze for blog talk radio’s Artistically Speaking Radio and Cre8tive Compass Magazine.
Check out Debra’s Look Book to see more of her work. To learn more please visit ArtiFactoryStudio, or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.
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Great article , Deb! Thanks for inviting me to play…
Nicely done, Debra! Thank you for the opportunity to share ideas!
It was a pleasure to interview you Lyna and Julie, and share your expert views on our art and craft with the BAWJ readers.
Thank you for your insights, your wisdom, and your expertise!
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