I was shopping with my wife the other day and got the scare of my life.In our shopping cart we had 1gallon of milk , two bottles of shampoo and one can of deordorant. Not much but this was over twenty dollars. We put twenty dollars in the car for some gas(a quarter of a tank) before we got to the store. We didn't buy what we needed for the kids for dinner but we spent almost $50. I come to a scary realization, things are getting extremely tough. With the housing market in such distress and the prices climbing to high to reach, how are we going to survive. It's very scary and not only for us but for millions of people around the world. In my business, the painting and faux business as well as many others, we are not a service that people need, we solely survive due to peoples desires for elegance. What happens when their desires are shoved aside because of necessity. Where will I be , where will we all be. I spend many sleepless nights with this scary reality in my head. I hope and pray things will get better. Not just for me but for all of us. I feel empty promises for all the presidental candidates will not turn things around. As we have learned from the past, time is the only thing that turn this around. I only hope it will not take too long. God bless you all.

I was asked by some people "Why have'nt you blogged in such a long while". Well, I could lie and tell you that I've been very bogged down with jobs during the Easter rush, I could tell you that I'm in the middle of the Passover rush, although it is all true, I would be lying. Recently a friend of mine gave me a Sun Conure, yes I said GAVE. She is a beautiful miniture parrot that stole my heart away. Birdie as she was so named requires much attention. You can't imagine how much fun she is and how rewarding it is to care for her. As I am fauxing peoples homes I am thinking of Birdie, the whole family is in Birdie heaven.Now don't think that I'm some kind of nut( although I've been called that by some close relatives), I just enjoy caring for this bird just as I do with all my pets, kids and my wife. My next goal in the pet world is aquiring a blue and yellow macaw. I figure it will take me three years to save up the $2,000 for such a bird and it will take that long to convince my family the importance of such a wonderful pet. God bless you all.

There was a man who loved us so much he suffered a brutal death. A death so embarrassing at the time and so profound in our time. The cross was the lowest and most brutal of all ways to die. Yet today it is the most visible sign of faith. Some people denounce it , some people fear it, some people want to outlaw it, yet millions adore it , wear it and hold it dear to their hearts. One of the most endearing items from the World Trade Center is a burned, rusty piece of metal in the shape of a cross. Why so much interest , why so much controversy. I'll tell you why. On that cross hung a man to some, a savior to some , the Son of God to some. On that cross hung LOVE to all. That man once said something so beautiful, so profound. He said there are three important things  in life "FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE- THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE ! May God love you.

I was sitting at a red light one day as I hustled from job to job, just having a frantic week. I was of course aggrivated but was blessed with the desire to stare at these five birds sitting on a telephone wire in the rain.I quickly thought how I have become so unaware of life around me. When my day ended I still had those five little birds on my mind and realized I was starting to take too many things for granted. I came up with a couple of questions to ask myself every so often. Do I see the buds that are on the trees and plants or am I too busy. Do I appreciate my children running to the door when I get home or do I shrug them off because I'm too busy.  Do I feel the warmth of the sun on my face or am I too busy running from place to place. Do I make time for a game of catch or a walk in the park or am I just too busy. Am I willing to make great Childhood memories for my kids or am I too busy.Will I ever stop to enjoy life or am I TOO BUSY.

I often have a problem with some of my clients when I suggest priming walls before doing any painting. The biggest argument they have is that I only want to make more work therefore more money. That certainly is not the case. The benefits of priming your walls and ceiling are many. Most of all is that your paint job will last twice as long or even longer. Priming is essential when painting a light color over a darker one. This is accomplished because primer has either urethane (if oil based) and acrylic ( if water based). These properties seal the wall so the new paint will adhere better , cover more completely and harden the surface for more years of durability. When applying a faux finish it is essential to start with a primed and newly painted surface. Many faux materials dry too fast on unprimed surfaces, moisture penetrates the surface before proper curing, this results in peeling and cracking. My suggestion to these uncertain clients is to prime before the painter is hired this scares them and they usually cave in.

I am often faced with very nice clients that make the job rather enjoyable to do. They work with you and many offer you benefits such as coffee and lunch. They love what you do and are more than willing to make your experience in their home a rewarding one. Then it happens you get a client from hell. You know that , that particular client was thrown out of hell because they were much too crazy. When you are on a job with this type of client , the day drags, the night flies and the morning comes oh so fast. The days always seem cloudy. No matter what you do there is no pleasing this client. I fauxed a house for a real CRAZY CLIENT, she was Scrooge dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire. A real knock-out (if you know what I mean) no matter what I did to try and please her just did'nt work. One night as I lay sleeplessly it hit me kill her with kindness, with compliments and with good old boyish charm. Well it worked the very next day I complimented her on her "beautiful appearance" she just caved and she SMILED! By the last day she was giving me coffee, lunch and a big hug . She even called me back to do another room in her house. Try it sometime when all else fails put away the potential murder weapon and kill them with kindness.

Starting with a smooth wall that is properly prepped(see blog on "GETTING STARTED" you apply venetian plaster with steel trowels made specifically for such finishes. Take a small amount on your trowel and apply a very tight, thin coat onto the wall. You might want to keep the lid on your plaster can as the plaster dries rather quickly. Many pro's do not because they are fast and experienced. After the whole area is dry, carefully blade the high spots with a blade from a utility knife. after which a light sanding is necessary using a wet/sand sand paper. A 400 grit paper will do fine. After wiping down the entire area apply a second coat. When that is fully dry repeat the process over again. After the third coat dries and you blade the entire area your burnishing process begins. Take a clean trowel holding very flat to the wall area rub in a circular motion until the shine comes up to your desired look . This is very hard on your hands as the trowel becomes rather hot from the friction. This process is very tough on your shoulders to, but the look can't be beat. My advise to anyone who wants this finish is to hire a professional faux- atrist. It may be pricey but you'll love the results- that's a guarantee!

Venetian plaster can be tinted to almost any desired color. Just ask your paint supplier. One gallon of Venetian Plaster covers approximatly 200 square feet. Venetian Plaster can also be applied in a rough non- burnished finish by avoiding the burnishing step and to add a little more on the treated area with the trowel. Be careful not to put too much as it will result in crackling of your plaster. after the last coat dries a clear or tinted wax can be rubbed on with a cotton rag to give you a smooth, yet textured effect. Good luck !

Being a summer baby many years ago, I developed a deep love for the summer and all it stands for. Family barbeques,pool parties, beer pong at the Toby Keith concerts,beautiful summer plants and flowers, if only. Well not today as I sorrily gaze out my frosted window panes all I see is WHITE! Alonging for the warm sun on my face is all I have as I pot my newly aquired Hawaiian plants. The only consolation is that spring is not far away and the rebirth of my tropical garden is close at hand. Well I guess I'll try to enjoy the "pretty white stuff", after all it is frozen rain and rain is good for the plants. - Frank, touchofthebrush@msn.com

In the faux finish business the most common question is "Why is it so expensive?". The first common mistake is that faux finishing is NOT JUST PAINT. Faux should not be compared to your average paint job simply because it isn't that simple at all. Faux finishing is art and should be thought of as such. The true faux artist is just that, an artist. A true faux artist studies the artistry of faux for many years. Much like doctors we have to attend school quite regularly. When a new product or finish is introduced the faux artist must attend classes on the proper way to apply it and to learn all he or she can about it's properties. Many of the new state of the art products are not accessable to anyone who does not attend classes. Many clients mistake the price of many faux finishes because they compare it to regular paint jobs. In reality faux should be compared to wallpaper. Anyone who has had wallpaper done knows how costly it could be. Faux finish replaces wallpaper because it does'nt split, tear, curl and is much easier to repair. Isn't a beautiful faux finish worth the price. To get your home to look as beautiful as you desire it, is priceless.

This comes up at every color consultation, with just about every client. There are a few simple ways to help. First pick a piece of your fabric and go with the color least used. If your fabric is brown with a little gold or beige, don't use brown, instead bring up the gold or beige. Secondly, if you are not sure about what fabric to use, simply go into your closet and pick the color you see the most of. Chances are if you wear a particular color alot  it means you like or feel comfortable with it. Another good rule to follow is that if your furniture is dark than go with ligter walls and vice-versa, this will allow your funiture to really pop! Also this will allow you to accessorize with items closer your furniture 's color. Lastly try and pick a color from a piece of art that may be displayed in your home. After all your newly faux- finished walls will become pieces of art  that will enhance your home much like a fine painting or sculpture. Well good luck, if you have any questions you could pass me an e-mail - Frank