subtle

This is a very subtle finish. The homeowner wanted a hint of antiquing on the wagon wheel and knuckles. A little bit of paint makes a big difference.

the gilt

A very solid brassy gold. I would have loved to age it a bit but the color matched the gilt edges of the furniture and the gold braiding on the draperies. When all was done it was an appropriate finish that fit the overall decor of the house. Very Louis XIV. (saying Louis XIV is fun: LooEEE Kaht-OHRZ-ceh)

Sweet Earth

This has been my most popular color since I started painting. A tawny brown applied in different ways over a black, dark brown or bronze base to achieve a rustic, naturally aged look. In the summer when I'm working outside a lot and I get this paint color on my skin, I hardly notice because the sun tans me to the same deep brown. I'll most likely post this finish over and over. It can be applied in different ways for different looks. If you drive around Rancho Santa Fe you'll see this finish everywhere. It's my signature finish.

the great concrete statue experiment

Every once in a while I step outside my wrought iron maiden box and venture forth into uncharted territory. This was fun. A homeowner had this gorgeous garden statue/fountain of a nymph. The statue was getting along in years and had deteriorated due to weather and the the general hard life of being a concrete statue in Southern California sunshine. The homeowner contacted the store where she had purchased the statue and they told her to fill in the cracks with bond-o, a putty used to fix small dents in cars. She had another worker apply the bond-o but after they were both at a loss as how to make the statue look statuesque again. (Har, har. I like puns, I can't help it.)

This is where I came in. While I was on property doing other faux work she asked me if there was anyway I could help her. I said yes. I had no idea if I would be able to make the statue look presentable again but I wanted to try. I sanded away the excess bond-o to smooth it out. I applied a few coats of a sealer I've been using for years, then bronze paint, I went to town with a patina then sealed the whole thing. I was pretty impressed with my work and have been wondering if maybe this is another little niche I can pursue.

the lovely minutiae

The homeowner here had a lovely wrought iron framed mirror that came with a factory finish. She loved the finish and asked if I could paint her plain black toilet paper holder to match the mirror frame. I said yes. This finish is a combination of bronze, pewter and a few different browns.

it only looks easy

If I had a fireplace this is the screen I would have. I love how this screen feels a little Art Deco and a little modern.

Sometimes I have to mix a lot of color to get the color I know will enhance the piece just the right way. This is a fine example. I almost felt like an alchemist on this one, adding tint and adjusting how much metallic sheen I wanted. Often painting takes on a meditative quality. I get into the zone and focus to the point of obsession. Anyone who has seen me work on a custom finish can attest to my mad scientist moments; surrounded by paint, mixing and remixing, adjusting, readjusting, giving it my all.

Oil Rubbed Bronze Gates

These gates were originally a dark brown. The homeowners wanted them to be more dramatic and selected an oil-rubbed bronze finish. The gates were a few years old so there was quite a bit of prep work. I had to clean them, wire-brush all the rust off, apply my magic rust-stopping product then paint and faux them. These gates are the entryway to a gorgeous estate.