Bling in the Faux painting!

Going forward in 2011, I have noticed through out 2010 the request for Bling!!I have had more commissions this past year including bling than I have had in my entire 15 years as a decorative artist, and 25 years as a paid artist. Let m define BLING , here on Long Island I think we are getting bit by the in flux of reality tv. The tv shows that air homes of the rich and famous have inordinate amounts of marble, crystal, jewels, gold leaf and opulence galore. So my "BLING" filled commissions have included a lot of leaf this year. Gold leaf, copper, or aluminum, used as accents or entire walls or ceilings. I have used more crystals than when i had my bridal gown business 20 years ago! The crystals have been used in faux painting, as well as murals and kids rooms. I have also used more metalic paint this year than any other paint, so I think the desire and appreciation for all things shiny will comtinue through the new year. I look forward to 2011 and all it will bring, wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy BLING filled New Year!

Ceiling Murals on Long Island

Lately I have been getting an abundance of requests for ceiling murals. From Merrick, to Montauk and Hewlett in between. Murals on the fifth wall seem to be very popular this year. I did a ceiling mural with gold leaf and Sworavorski crystals on a dining room ceiling in Merrick,a week later a ceiling design with ornamental scrolls , floral's and pearls in Dix Hills. The most popular ideas for ceilings used to be cherubin and sky scapes, recently I finished a Victorian home in Rockville Center with for different ceiling treatments all with variations of stenciling work. True murals on a ceiling are even transpiring into kid's rooms. In Massapequa Park I recently finished a fun compass rose mural for a nursery. So when designing the decor of your rooms remember to take into consideration the ceiling, be it a tray, recessed, coffered, cathedral or flat - Murals on the ceiling add an unexpected element to any room. To view photos of many of the works mentioned please visit www.arlenemurals.com

A Valley Stream Classic

Valley Stream Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor icon "Mitchell's" on Rockaway Ave. has been serving happy customers since 1938! Recently I had the pleasure of working with owners Chris and Dimitrious in lending a hand in the updating of the establishment. The interior has been completely renovated, revealing fabulous "mod" looking glass tiles in fun gradient colors wrapping around the eating area. The counter where you can sit and have a refreshing ice cream soda has fun glass tiles and a new mural complete with a hot fudge river! The vestibule and back areas were treated with a mica faux painting treatment to compliment the tile work. As an ode to the original I was asked to paint a portrait of the old building on a canvas that will hang in the main dining room. What a wonderful place to take your family and friends for a bit of Valley stream and old New York nostalgia! And the ice cream is delicious!

Amityville Art Show

Outdoor art show next weekend in the Amityville Main street market. There will be live music , artists showcasing and selling works, art demonstrations as well as opportunities for folks to meet and get to know some great local artists. I will be showcasing some gold leaf paintings around 2:00pm.

Long Island Faux finsh trends

As an artist and experienced faux painter celebrating almost 20 years working for myself on Long Island I have noticed many trends over the last few years, I sold nothing but Italian "fresco look" paints and plasters for a while, then it was the "chocolate brown " trend. Lately and for the last year or so my top selling finish is an interpretation of tissue. I personally love tissue as a finish. The tissue is cheap, and labor is not huge so it's quite affordable, but what draws me to the tissue is the diversity in which this substrate can be manipulated and transformed into countless looks. The fact that the tissue is also a fantastic remedy for botched wallpaper removal, and poor walls is always an added plus. My number on selling finish is tissue with metallic paints and activating sprays, the results are nothing short of magical when all that mica gets caught in the tissue creases! The classic leather look utilizing tissue paper faux finish as a base is also a popular look. For some diverse and fantastic looks please visit my gallery on facebook or my website...thanks for reading!

Solo Show in Hicksville

I am happy to announce a new show for the month of March at the Hicksville Public Library on Jerusalem Ave. I have 35 paintings in the show. Some of my oil on gold and copper leaf paintings, along with ornamental, floral and a few abstract paintings. The paintings are hung in the lower level gallery and can be seen during the hours of 11 am- 8 pm daily. All paintings are available for purchase.

Amityville Artist Circle Gallery

I am pleased to announce that one of my paintings has been accepted into the Juried show "Dreams" opening this weekend at the Circle gallery in Amityville. The show opened Saturday evening , with a beautiful and interesting collection of works from Long Island Artists. My painting is an aluminum leaf painting with acrylic and plaster. The theme of my work is the longevity of the Earths ocean and my dream of keeping them clean and the marine life safe. Hours of the Gallery are daily from 12-6. The Circle gallery is located next to Vittorio's on Main Street in Amityville , Long Island. The show "Dreams" runs until June 26th

Avon Walk for Breastancer

I have officially started my training this week for the walk in October, this walk is a 39 mile walk around Manhattan. I did it last year and it was a truly wonderful experience. My fundraising efforts are a bit slow going this year, but I am confidant through word of mouth I will raise the much needed money to end this disease. My training will be periodically updated here and if you feel like giving me a small donation I would much appreciate it! Click on the link above to go to the fundraising page http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1970&px=4423358&s_src=boundlessfundraising

Faux Glazing Techniques

I would like to talk about some very simple faux painting techniques that I have been using successfully for over 20 years. Many of these techniques require a paint - glaze ratio and or water. Fundamentally a glaze is a medium which makes paint tranlucent and workable. I have several favorite means of application , for fast results over a good solid pre- existing base coat a color wash looks terrific and is almost effortless. I like to use a round car wash brush for this and blend and stipple he glaze, for a cloud like faux finish. Some times on a ceiling i will use a woolie for this finish it covers for area and also gives a nice even finish. Ragging on a glaze will give you a more defined pattern of a finish depending on how much glaze you use. I prefer a faux finish that I devised for covering bad walls or minimizing the time for a base coat. This is a "roll and faux" technique. I roll 3-4 foot sections with a light basecoat then rag wet into wet for a very mottled and heavy movement type faux finish. This has cut out an entire day of base coat painting because you are essentially basecaoting while you faux. This works well with 2 people as one will roll the other will faux paint. These are just 2 of my favorites more to come......

A trip to Versaille and all things Parisian

I recently was lucky enough to be able to travel overseas to enjoy a few days in Paris with my daughter Niamh. We specifically went for the annual exhibition of the Salon Of Decorative Painters. This years exhibition was held in the glorious town of Versaille , just outside of Paris. The Salon is set up to showcase the best of decorative arts. To be included is an honor and to be an onlooker is a treat. The Panels submitted and shown this tear were simply fabulous from the grandest of murals to ornaments and marble. We spent the morning perusing the exhibition hall taking photos of all the panels, then went to the demonstration hall to watch some of the masterful artists in action. There were some great artworks in progression and it is always a delight to see these artisans work. After our Salon visit we walked to the Palace Versaille. The day was a glorious sunny , cloudless afternoon and to enjoy the ponds, trails, and gardens on such a sunny day was a treat. We rented bicycles and were able to ride to Marie Antoinette's apartments and to the farms in the back. We especially loved the small lite houses with thatched roofs and small rabbit pens. Enclosed is a link to my photo album please feel free to enjoy the magnifcence of it all.

Hierloom Christening Gowns

Hierloom Christening gowns, made form a treasured wedding gown. What better way to pass on your wedding gown fabrications. I was recently commissioned to design a Christening Gown for a dear friend a very good client. I was given the wedding gown, which was a fabulous concoction of silk satin, ornate beaded accents and alencon lace. I made a pattern for the dress, my main concerns were utilizing the beautiful cut work on the front hem and train of the shirt. The gown was a traditional long gown with a matching bonnet and head band. I trimmed the waisteband with small satin rosettes and pearls. Creating these gowns are fun and being able to incorporate and mother's or grandmother's gown into the Christening gown is a fabulous way to creat a family hierloom.

Yankee Stadium Mural

This mural of the new Yankee Stadium was one of my most challenging and rewarding projects I have done. The clients vision was a feel that you the viewer could "jump" right into the field. The length and height of the wall served the challenge because a panoramic view would not include the field or diamond. I elongated the outer boxes and seating to give the viewer the feeling that they were in the stands, and at the same time was able to fill in around the outer stadium walls with the "feeling" of surrounding buildings. This mural is 10x 16 feet in a little boys room. On the other walls and closet I used graffiti lettering to write the boys name and painted trompe lockers on his closet door. The results are a true Yankee lovers theme room. I am not sure who is happier daddy or baby....

Upcoming show

I will be having an exhibition at the Oyster Bay Public Library for the month of March. The exhibition will iclude about 30 various media paintings n canvas, as well as several acrylic tapestries and 4 new paintings I have recently completed on gold and copper leaf backgrounds. The show is a part of the Town of Oyster Bay Rotational Arts Exhibition. The paintings can be viewed during regular library business hours.

Solo exhibit for February

I will be hanging approximately 30 various media and themed paintings at the Town attorneys office in Oyster Bay this Firday. I was happily chosen to be a participant in this years Oyster Bay Rotational Arts Exhibition. This is a non- profit organization that focuses on the advancement of the arts on Long Island. Each year some of Long Islands fine artists get together to exhibit and compete in a juried show. Artists are then aked to participate in the 12 month long rotational exhibition. This is a great way to network with other artists, learn about upcoming shows, sell some paintings and exhibit works in various locations all over Long Island. if you are in the area stop in and see some works Audrey ave, in Oyster bay.

Long Island Press "BEST OF WINNER"

We would like to take a moment to thank all our clients, family and friends who once again voted for us in the Long Ilsand Press' Best Of 2010 annual list. This is our third year being recognized amongst the best Long Island has to offer in business, retail and entertainment. We as a company are very proud to be honored amongst the "Best Artist " winners. The 12 exceptionally talented artists in the category all deserve recognition for talent and excellence we are very pleased to have recieved the second place position and congratulate all the nominees and winners in this years January 14th edition.