What is a Faux Retreat?

Back in early January I printed out this picture for my inspiration board.

Why did I put THIS photo on my inspiration board?  Well, I will tell you the same thing I told my dear "Che" when he asked me the same question.  I will go to a Faux Retreat within the next 18 months!  Of course he looked at me like I had three heads and asked, "What's the big deal about this faux thingy?".  "Well", I said, "it is a week of painting classes at an all inclusive lodge with spa treatments available on 170 acres in Wisconsin."  So Che's next question was, "What do you mean 'all inclusive', and how much does it cost?".  So I say, "It's only $1695 and that includes meals, lodging and classes!".  So at that point I had to explain that pretty much every other week long class I knew of started at nearly $2000 and that does not include meals or lodging.  Now my dear readers, there are no week long classes less than 5 hours drive from my home, so lodging is a must no matter what. 

Now, as "Che" and I both agreed, my business is just not strong enough to justify the expense.  Yes, we can "write off" as much as 40% of it.  Yes, the knowledge gained from taking "hands on" classes is invaluable to my business.  But it is very important to remember that I started "The Painted Lady" as an extension of a newly discovered hobby.  Let us also consider that I have NEVER been away from my boys for more than 48 hours. Those boys are spoiled rotten and don't take kindly sharing their mom with anyone. So the retreat was put on the back burner.

Then last month while on our "date night", I filled Che in on this really cool opportunity to go to Faux Retreat for free.  I had just read that they were looking for a "Monitor" (teacher's assistant).  While the monitor does not get to "play with product" and make the samples with the class, they do get the class notes and they get to see first hand al of the techniques being taught.  Dear readers I can tell you this because I know that Che does not read my blog, but I waited until he had a couple of glasses of wine before I even broached the subject.  I knew I wanted to apply for the job, but I could not in good conscience do it without his blessing.  He and I are often on opposite schedules and any diversion from our established routine is very challenging, so I also needed the blessing of my parents who pick up the slack.  Of course being the spoiled brat I am, I already had their okay to apply.  When I told him I wanted to apply, I also told him there was no chance of me getting it.  After all, I am a nobody.  I have been lurking in the online forums and blogs just soaking up as much as I can for two years.  Some of the artists I have been following have been doing this for 20+ years and have the education to back it up.  However, we agreed, this would be good practice for me.  Filling out the application and watching the selection process would be good.  It would also begin to put me on "the radar".  I may not get this one, but I can learn from it.  Long story short and much to our surprise, I made the first cut.  From nearly 30 applicants, I made it to the top 15.  Then I found out I made it to the top 7.  Hubs and I were both stunned!  I think he was actually a little proud of me.  Then I found out I made the next cut!  By then I had 3 phone interviews under my belt and Che was really, sincerely cheering me on!  After a few days of torture, the announcement was made...  Rachel Sejas had been chosen as Monitor for Faux Retreat!!!!!!!!  

What was my reaction?  Well, it is 11:20 right now and I am substitute teaching in P.E. at my sons' school tomorrow, so this is to be continued...................

P.S.  I am tired, it is late and I have not proof read this.  Dad, if you are reading this, I know I made lots of grammatical errors.  Please forgive me.www.fauxretreat.com

My Faux Sistah

 Last spring I wrote blog post about one of my "half-sisters".  Today I want to tell you about my "faux sistah".  Her name is Ande Crenshaw and she ROCKS!  I don't think I could luuuuuv her more if we were blood related...  You see when I first started my faux business a couple of years ago, I started scouring the internet and bookstores for good technique instructions.  I knew that there was more to faux than just ragging and sponging but I couldn't really find a whole lot on "high end" techniques.  One day I stumbled upon a little website based in Nashville called MojoFaux and knew as soon as I read the bio of the "primarily self taught" owner I had to contact them.  So I sent an email asking if they could recommend any faux finishing classes close to Memphis.  You see, up to this point the only classes I had found lasted a week, cost $2000 + hotel and meals and were 5 or more hours away by car.  Being a newborn in "the faux biz" and having two young children, that just wasn't an option for me.

I had already been blown off by a couple of different faux professionals (not in my area BTW) so I kind of expected the same reaction.  Boy, was I excited when Jared (Ande's adorable hubs who handles the business end of things) phoned me to let me know that they were planning on putting together some one day mini classes in Nashville!  Long story short...  Ande and I hit it off instantly and thanks to her encouragement, inspiration and friendship I am growing what looks to be a very promising career!

There is most definitely an art to faux and there are many decorative artisans out there who can be very territorial when it comes to their art.  For someone who is self-taught it can be very intimidating.  However, With her infectious personality and "It's Just Paint" attitude, Ande Crenshaw cuts though all of the pretense and continues to inspire me every day!

By now I am sure you are wondering about my reasons for the Ande love-fest....Well, Ande has a new line of faux finishing products and online tutorials geared towards the Do-It-Yourselfer and I have signed on as an affiliate of her products.  We also have some other exiting things planned to help those of you who would rather learn to do it yourself than pay one of us to do it for you, but that is for another day.

For now I am going to share the links to her videos and products and give you a first look at a desk I am working on refinishing by using some of the products you can find in her store.  Later this week I will share complete instructions as well as a product list for how you can do it too.

Be careful, this may burn your eyes it is so ugly...

 

Pretty GROSS, huh? 

Here is a FREE video from Ande

Now follow the links to www.FauxAGoodTime.com so they know I sent ya and tell them I said "Hey Y'all!"

 

BTW... In the past couple of years I have met (in person and online) a lot of amazing faux artists that are very kind and welcoming to newcomers like me. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: A Must See Location

First, a little back story...  My husband hates it when I blog or Facebook about him.  I mean he REALLY hates it!  This is one of the reasons I started referring to him as Che (pronounced Chay).  You see, he is from Buenos Aires, Argentina where everyone calls each other "Che".  It would be the equivalent to "hey" or "dude" here in the United States.  It has been a common nickname for Argentinians for many years.  That is how Ernesto "Che" Guevara got his nickname.

Anyhoo...  I refer to him as Che to give him some privacy yet acknowledge that he does exist. Today I am blogging about him against his wishes!  Yep, I am!  Why, because he doesn't bother to read my blog anyway!  In all honesty this post is not so much about him as it is about the crazy cool bookstore in Argentina.  It is an old theater that was turned into a bookstore...

What more could a girl like me ask for?  Crazy cool architectural elements  surrounded by BOOKS!

Or would that be cool books surrounded by awesome architectural elements?  However you think of it you HAVE to go to this unbelievable place if you ever make it to Buenos Aires!

This is what I call INSPIRATION!

What do you think?

Close to My Heart

A few weeks ago I was honored to be asked to donate a piece of my artwork for a silent auction.  I have been asked several times to donate various items to raise money for various charities but this was different.

You see, this was a special request because of the charity.  This weekend a local ZTA sorority is hosting a "Think Pink Luncheon" at the at the Ridgeway Country Club here in Memphis.

Breast Cancer research is very important to me because of my family history.  A few years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Six months later one of her three sisters was also diagnosed with breast cancer.  They also have a cousin who is a survivor and my dad had a sister who battled breast cancer and eventually lost when the cancer just kept coming back in different places.

It is hard to explain how cancer effects a family.  The moment the diagnosis is made, your life is changed forever.  What many people don't realize until they experience it is that it's not just the patient who is forever changed.  Cancer is a family disease.  Even once treatment is over and you are given the "all clear", the fear stays with you.  Just under the surface waiting to rear it's ugly head. 

 

And then there is the chemo.  My mom made it through the chemo without much difficulty, but the after effects really suck.  We make jokes about "chemo brain" and "post chemo" body, not to mention the hot flashes!  Yes, I know that some people might think it is in poor taste to make these jokes, but what else are we supposed to do?  Should we pretend like my mom's memory hasn't been affected, or that her stamina is the same as it was before treatment?  God knows we can't ignore the hot flashes and facial hair!  Okay, so lasers took care of the facial hair, but since she is on estrogen suppression protocol the hot flashes a little hard to ignore!  You can just look at her sideways and she breaks out in a sweat...even if it's 40 degrees in her house!

Long story short, it's time to find a cure.  If I can help to raise a little money to prevent other women and their families from having to endure breast cancer, then I am there!  That my friends was the inspiration behind this canvas.  I call it "Blue Lotus".  It is various shades of blues, greys, brown, bronze and creams with a heavy broken linear texture.

Well, I hope it brings it a ton of money!  It really was a priveledge to have the opportunity to to honor the women in my life by creating something in honor of their strength and grace.

Mom,  Aunt B.and D., I love you!

The Painted Lady Online Shops

Finally!  I have begun selling some of my art and photography online!  It has been a long time coming no question about it.  Of course both of my online stores still need quite a bit of fine tuning but at least they are up and running with items being added each day. You can click on the www.etsy.com button to the left of this post to visit my storefront.  I also have items listed with www.artfire.com (see the link to the left).  I hope you will check out my stores frequently and find something you just can't live without.  Next up: The Big Reveal for my totally redesigned website....