One Step Closer

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A few years ago I traveled to Atlanta to be a spectator at the annual "Salon." Salon is "a gathering of dedicated decorative painters from around the world coming together to exhibit their work and discuss old and new techniques, products, and information in the field."   Every year it is hosted by a different member in that person's country. Since Atlanta, it has been hosted in Hamburg, Germany and last year it was in Tokyo. This year's Salon will be in Seattle.  I was curious about the group so when I heard that it was going to be relatively close to me I decided to check it out.

When I visited Salon in Atlanta I was amazed at the breadth of talent that was on display. Members traveled from across the globe to in order to come together in the name of decorative art. Members have expertise in the traditional decorative arts such as faux marbre (marbleizing) faux bois (woodgraining), gilding, trompe l'oeil, and ornamentation.

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Unlike other groups, to become a member, you have to be juried in. I decided that I would apply for membership but was sure that I wouldn't be accepted because this group is the best of the best! Well, I submitted my portfolio to this year's host and was accepted to participate! I was floored! Participation in this event has been on my list of professional goals for a few years now. The next step is to plan and paint a panel that will be exhibited along side my mentors and peers.  Talk about setting the bar high!

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Lets make it a beautiful 2014 together!

Jan 2014 postcard

Start your New Year right. Whether it be a fresh new finish or a stunning mural, let's work together to make your project a reality this year!

The FIRST Annual Ellicott City Artwalk!

Come be a part of the Art Scene in Historic Ellicott City Maryland!

The First Artwalk will take place on Saturday, September 28th 2013 from 12-5 PM. You can tour artist studios, watch demonstrations, and view local galleries.

Start your tour at the Artwalk Tent located at the Log Cabin on the corner of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Rd.

Grab a Passport at the Artwalk Tent at the Log Cabin and get a stamp at each stop along Artwalk. Completed Passports can be entered in the Artwalk Raffle to win a PRIZE! Prizes donated by Friends of Artwalk  Raffle drawing will take place at the Wine Bin Stage shortly after 5pm. There are some really good prizes!Click on the image and print your own passport now!

Fall Fest and Main Street Music Festival will be taking place also, so there will be lots of fun for the whole family. Enjoy the shuttle service that will take you from the Courthouse Parking lot to lower Main Street all the way to the West End and back! Parking is available on the street (metered) and in lots (some free).

Prizes for the Artwalk Raffle have been generously donated by the following local businesses:

Ellicott City Artwalk website: ellicottcityartwalk.com  And Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellicott-City-Artwalk/224799031005907

More Information on Fall Festival:   http://visitellicottcity.com/

More Information on Main Street Music Festival:  http://mainstreetmusicfest.com/

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An especially huge thank you to Chelsea Maymon of Perspectives Gallery for doing all of the graphic design. Her portfolio is amazing! http://chelseamdesign.com/

Knock on....wood?

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After a two year hiatus from participating in the HEC Decorator Show House, I have had the pleasure to design the grand foyer of this year's house, Mount Ida.  Knock on wood, that all of the efforts of the designers, volunteers, and workers will pay off with a record turn out of visitors! For tickets and more information, click here. My rendering for this year's promotional material.

Mount Ida is located atop the hill next to the Court House in Ellicott City.  Originally built in 1828 by members of the Ellicott Family, Mount Ida was built in the Greek Revival/Italianate style.  Sometime in the 1970's or 80's, the foyer was divided up into three spaces but has now been restored to all 30 feet of its original glory.  In designing the space, I wanted to honor tradition but had to add my own twist.

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The original foyer, as seen in this photograph from the Library of Congress, taken in the 1960's.

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This picture shows what I saw when I did my walkthrough.  These partitions were put in place sometime in the last few decades and the decor was left from when Mount Ida was a decorator showhouse in 1995. This is taken from the same vantage point as the black and white photo above.

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You then passed from the first space into this room. This is the central area of the foyer. The door to the right led to an office.

The first thing that happened was all of these walls, including a wall covering the back doors were taken down.  Repairs, scraping, cleaning, painting, and more painting took place over the course of 8 weeks.

And here are a few images of what my space looks like now just to tease you!

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Knock on...wood? You will have to come see for yourself!! ;)

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Look closely at the chandeliers that Bill Knapp fabricated. Can you tell what they're made from?

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This is Brian, the contractor who HEC hired to do all of the renovations that needed to be done, like fixing the waste stack that exploded in my space the week before I was to start. (I know. gross.)

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I really have to thank several people for making my vision happen.

-Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors for help with the design layout, moral support, and great friendship.

-Bill Knapp, Bill Knapp Arts, for without him we would be in the dark.

-Alison Roy-Harrison of Columbia Interior Finishes for doing all of the basecoating for my space.

-Phil Adams from Floors Etc for my area rugs (all three of them!)

-Amy Alder for her upholstery expertise

-My mom, Carol Lenehan for her immaculate sewing skills on the skirted tables.

-My dad, Kevin Lenehan, for helping me build the skirted tables and wiring the chandeliers (all three of them!)

-Barry Sheehan- Metal in Motion, for helping out with my brainfart that "there should be a sculpture here..."

-The volunteers and members of HEC, Inc.

and Mikey, for his patience.

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We all hope to see you there!

BSO Decorator Showhouse 2013

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"Cosy Corner" is the title designer Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors gave to this tiny little bedroom at this year's BSO Decorator Showhouse.  Previously owned by legendary Baltimore Colts Quarterback Johnny Unitas, the house was transformed by almost two dozen designers. This year Paula enlisted my services to create a unique ceiling treatment and textural wall finish.  In addition, I created sketches of some of our beloved pets, my cats and her dogs.

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It was a whirlwind trying to get all of the work completed but the final result is a stunner.  Paula always has a great way of visualizing and executing a beautiful environment.  I'm always happy to be a part of her projects.

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A special thanks goes to my Friend in Faux, Alison Roy Harrison who owns Columbia Interior Finishes.  Alison bailed me out and executed the finishes on the walls while I was busy trying to finish the ceiling before deadline. Thank you Alison!!

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