FEATURED FAUX FINISHERS

Brenda Jean Macaluso          

Brenda Jean Macaluso, the creative mind behind Walls by Macaluso, was initially trained in murals and canvass painting at Park University. Starting at a very young age, Brenda was always creating art work using the supplies available such as barn shingles in her small rural community of Cordova, Illinois. After her children were born, Brenda painted murals in both children's bedrooms. Phillip's room was an Earth theme, an ocean transversing into a rain forest and then into a safari. Kylee's room was a flower garden theme. A builder friend saw Brenda's talent and wanted murals in his model homes. In expanding her business, Brenda approached a developer to work for. He suggested that she take some faux finishing classes as he could see her talent and thought she could segue into the faux finishing arena with her artistic background.  

Brenda's first classes were in Silver Lake, Kansas. This was the beginning of her 12- year journey, taking highly specialized classes all over the United States. As her business grew, so did her passion and desire to constantly be in the forefront of the newest techniques and products available to her customers. Surfaces has made business much easier for Brenda these days with state-of-the-art classes, product availability and convenient location.

The creative niche that Brenda has is constantly challenged by her client's requests. There is always a demand for her creativity, whether it be changing a counter top surface, fireplace or mural on a 40-foot wall. Brenda's father, a self taught artist, was inspired by Brenda's abilities and has started painting again after many years. Both her children have inherited her artistic ability and hopes one day they may follow in her footsteps.

Contact Brenda at 816-716-7905 or email at bmacaluso@kc.rr.com

David "Arch" Archuleta          

Archuleta Studios

Phone: 816-356-8707

www.archuletastudios.com

Arch operates a working professional studio where he offers high-end interior painting, wallpaper installs, color consulting and a full line of decorative painting services including: cabinetry makeovers, decorative plasters, glazing and patinas.

He works with designers, decorators, home owners, business owners and contractors to help select custom finishes.Arch finished Art School at the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute and the University of Minnesota and wanted to pursue ceramics as his medium of choice but found himself painting more and more. He then decided to include a ore satisfying element of painting and found that decorative painting was just the ticket and has not looked back  

He has over 30 years experiance in the field and has taken numerous decorative arts classes with some of the most world reknown artists including: Kelly King, Nicola Vigini, Pierre Finkelstein, Rebecca Slaton, Mike McNeil, Deb Drager, Melanie Royals and others.

Heather McDonald

Beautiful Homes Design Studio
Contact Information: Phone: 816-365-4010
Website: www.payntchk.com

How many years have you been painting?

9 years

Tell about your professional life. Is painting your first career? Did you make a career change?

I attended Central Missouri State University, studied Health and Wellness and then worked six years for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. While working for the YMCA, I offered my painting services to members and staff and received recognition for working with a not for profit organization. As the interest in my talent grew, I decided to change careers. My decision was based on turning a lifetime hobby into a career where I worked for myself, had flexible hours and could continue to educate on techniques. Nine years later I still get excited to go to work everyday and change my clients' atmospheres and attitudes.

Please list classes and training:

Since styles and trends change, it is important to build and maintain relationships with the talented professionals in the faux industry. Over the years, I have continued to educate myself by training with these experts. To broaden my scope of offerings to clients, I have studied concrete staining and stamping, ceiling design, furniture and cabinets and numerous wall based classes. My favorite products to work with are Aqua Finishing Solutions and Faux Effects.

Below is a partial list of the trainings I have taken:

•  Rebecca Slaton- Surfaces Decorative Arts Studio
•  Nicola Vigini- Vigini Studios
•  Rodney Ray- Fine Art Finishes
•  Deb Drager- Artimatrix
•  Doyal Self- School of Italian Plasters
•  Scolfield Systems
•  Artistic Sculptured Texture Inc.

I was fortunate to travel to France in the fall of 2007 to observe and participate in the refurbishment of a 100 year old building in a village in the French Alps. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have been associated with in my career.

Aaron Brantley         

Anderson Decorative Finishes

573-286-2822

Aaron started his career as a commercial and industrial painter. He painted office buildings, bridges and factories.

He attend Colorado Institue of Art and Central Missouri Stat e Universtiy. Aaron has taken several classes at Surfaces with Rebecca Slaton and a quick study on the job with Kevin Anderson.

Aaron is inspired by having an artistic backround and a foundation in production painting. Faux Finishing suits him well as he gets to use his creative side while making a good living.

His advise to anyone getting into the business, start with the basics, learn to prep properly, practice and of course, take your classes at Surfaces.