I noticed you were from bowling green..any thoughts on martin hirsch's studio in louisville? i'm considering taking a faux workshop from him. I"m just getting into this business and have had one person suggest just go straight to plasters....any thoughts?????

Hi Kat from Kentucky:

With regard to your inquiry to go straight into and start with the plasters, well, that's what I did and do not regret it. While you will discover some stuff in the classes might initially go over your head due to inexperience in the field it's also true you certainly do not need a faux background to be a good venetian plaster applicator and in fact, being good at one has little relevance as to whether you'll be good at the other. I would add that as an end-finish, the plasters are far superior to anything the faux techniques generate - even though - those in the faux field might disagree. But to me, while faux painting can embellish and significantly enhance what are otherwise monotone walls, an appropriate and legitimate venetian plaster, when applied well, delivers surrounding environments deeper into realms from where true opulence radiates.

Now, the plasters have fewer consumers (due to the expense) compared to faux techniques and so you would have to find people for whom money is not an impediment to buy them and the other part is, it's not a free lunch despite the higher expense because the application cycles of these make it so you really do have to earn your money in completing the finishes (lots of work).

But in considering which classes you take first I would suggest that clearly the best answer is to learn all the stuff you can. And as far as in which order you learn them I don't think it matters but would encourage you to start with the medium that you're more passionate about. Then, you should practice and gain at least a baseline level of competence in that area before moving onto the next area and by that I mean, in addition to doing a lot of practice at home, do several actual projects of a legitimate nature to enhance your comprehension of what's being taught in subsequent classes.

With you ready to jump-in with both feet I could understand the temptation to just taking as many classes as you can and do it as fast as you can. But I would advise against doing that and encourage you to pick one and then get as much experience as you can before even thinking about tackling the next. And in doing it that way you're going to come out further-ahead down the road and things will be much less confusing because I expect there would be a danger to drinking all that water through a fire hose and then after learning a bajillion techniques you confront your first wall and can't quite remember: "Okay, out of those ten million things I heard in class which ones do I want to use here and how again am I supposed to approach this??" I think if a person approached it that way their enthusiasm could wane quickly and the complications of separating all the info would make for an overwhelming experience that's difficult to separate & organize. And I only mention it that way because in the abstract we can understand how the more education you have, well obviously that's better. But I suggest just taking bites that you're going to be able to legitimately chew, process, & digest. (and I do believe I'm very correct upon this point)

Alright, all that said, you seem to have found two good places from where to source your education; this place is the best I know about for the plasters and the Hirsch place in Louisville seems to have it all together and they've also got a good forum (like here) so this is what you'd want and all the answers you could ever have are accessible following your initial education.

Good luck!

I'm sure you'll do wonderfully if you are willing to stick with it and get your time in!

"-)

Hi Kat,
Hopefully, I can give you a little insight into the decorative arts field as I have studied under Martin Hirsch and Doyle Self, as well as, other leading teachers in the industry. I see no superiority among faux finishes, plasters, concrete finishes, cabinet finishes, other visual decorative techniques or murals. These are all tools in an artist's or applicator's portfolio. Skill levels grow through good instruction and many hours of practice. I used to tell my art students that I could teach them techniques and this would certainly improve their skill levels but I could not teach them to be an artist. This had to grow from within themselves.

I would encourage you to invest in yourself by finding leading instructors in the decorative arts areas, paying the tuition and then believe enough in yourself to take the leap. However, I must warn you the decorative arts industry is very competitive and there are many outstanding artists in the field. Also, the industry is very labor intensive and will take it out of you mentally and physically. If you are willing to pay the price, then you may just find a very fulfilling career.

Blessings for the future.

Rik

www.lazenbystudio.com

Rik
Very well said.

Hello there Kat!

I live & work in Louisville, KY. I cannot comment on MAH's classes. . .(not allowed to attend due to proximity & I have nothing good to say about Martin, personally.

That being said. . .

Rick's advice is sound & true.

All of the decorative arts have their own value. I have been a "straight painter" for 20 years now. . .became independent in 2000, at which time I began my journey with decorative finishing. However the only class I have invested in, thus far, is the School of Italian Plasters. Which was a wonderful experience & the network of applicators opened my eyes to many other educational experiences/opportunities.

So. . .I'm with Rik. . . if you are ready to take the plunge into arduous pool of artistically based self employment. . . suit up. . . pick your favorite class/teacher/artist & dive on in! It's a wonderful adventure.

But you are wise to ask around.

Good Luck On Your Journey!
Rachel Maddox

Also to add on to what Rik said. I have benefited from classes from Melanie Royal in San Diego. She has an enormous amount of talent and a wealth of knowledge to share with her students who are hungry to learn.
Unless Jolene is not teaching in SOIP in CA anymore I recommend her. These are enough to get you going for at least a couple of years.
Jan