September 2009 Retreat
Kathy Carroll
Faux finishing is Kathy Carroll's passion. As owner of The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, Kathy enjoys teaching a variety of specialty finishes for walls, floors and furniture. She also finds that her students appreciate her knowledge of the large range of products available to decorative finishers, including the so called “Green Products.”
After the opening of her eStore in March, 2005, Kathy experienced a considerable expansion of her faux finishing supply store. Presently there are over 3,000 items from a variety of manufacturers to choose from. You will often hear her say that “One Manufacturer is Not the Answer to All."
Kathy has been a visionary in the business of decorative painting, beginning her career in teaching as one of the “Big 8 Schools” for Faux Effects. In 2001 decisions were made that changed the course of the Chicago Institute of Decorative Finishing to its present charter: The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes. While changing the name of the Institute was easy, acquiring new products and alternatives to the ones used in the past was challenging. Looking back over the last seven years has proven that things really do work out for the best and that this change now allows The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes to offer its customers and students “The Best of The Best.”
Mindy Harrell
Mindy began her journey as a professional full-time artist after September 11th.(That dreadful day) Her husband is an airline pilot and for fear of losing his job, Murals by Mindy was born. Since the launch of Murals by Mindy, Mindy launched her own decorative arts school, Faux Assured Studio and is also a Faux Effects product distributor. Mindy's businesses are based out of Park City, Ut and she does do periodic travel. Mindy studied under Master artisan Martin Alan Hirsch from Louisville, Kentucky. Mindy has also studied under Raymond Sandor who is the master creator/chemist for Faux Effects International.
Kathy Wear is the owner/artist of Artistic Finishes in Hendersonville , Tennessee. She has studied extensively over the years to perfect her craft, and is known amongst her peers for her innovative and original designs. Artistic Finishes specializes in custom wall finishes and hand trowelled plasters as well as murals. We take enormous pride in our work and strive to create finishes that are unique to your home and lifestyle.
Kathy has trained at Decorative Finishes Studio in Louisville, KY, under Master Artisans Martin Alan Hirsh and Krista Vind. Her work in the Nashville area Parade of Homes has won her five awards from the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee including Best Faux Finish and Peoples Choice Award for Faux Finishing. Her work has also been published in many local magazines including Sumner Lifesytles, Nashville Lifestyles At Home and House and Home of Nashville. Her work can currently be seen on Southern Homes and Lifestyles TV, and a cover story in the upcoming issue (Feb 09) of Nashville Magazine.
Kathy is now instructing courses at Faux Assured Studio located in the beautiful mountainous region of Utah. Kathy is co-teaching with artisan Mindy Harrell. The October 20-25th, 2008 (a six day class) debuting their amazing Rs Series finishes was a huge success. The students left with over 30 boards of beautiful, sellable finishes.
