The Faux Finisher - Fall 2002 Article

International Decorative Artists Share Their Talent

Part II of The Faux Finisher's coverage of the exciting Salon gathering; see Summer 2002 edition for Part I.  Photos and text by Rebecca E. Parsons. The international decorative artists' Salon is a time for artists from around the world to share their special talents and skills with each other.  Public and private demonstrations were ongoing throughout the Salon in San Antonio.

Attendees could meet the artists and watch them at work on such traditional techniques as mural, trompe l'oeil, gilding, scagliola, fresco, woodgraining, faux marble, and calligraphy.  During the private demonstrations, members network and learn how other artists perform, specific tools and products they prefer, and gain insight into the individual techniques.  A small sample of the member demonstrations are shown on these pages.

In addition to providing demonstrations, several member artist gave informative lectures and slide presentations of their work.  The were:

Pam Rosser, Restoration Associates, San Antonio, Texas

"Condition Assessment: Application of Conservation Treatments Applied to the Seco Fresco Wall of the Alamo Mission, San Jose and Concepcion"

Pierre Finkelstein, Grand Illusion, New York, N.Y.

"The Getty Museum and Other Works"

Jan Berghuis, House of Bendor Le Faye, The Hague, The Netherlands

"New Perspectives and Dimensions in Decorative Painting"

Ina Brosseau Narx, The Finishing School, Floral Park, N.Y.

"Restoration of Antiques with Painted Surfaces and Gilding"

George Zaffle, Zaffle Painting Studios, Lake Tahoe, Calif.

"Modern Itinerant Painters in the American West"

Doreen Sharabati, Doreen Designs, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
"Exotic Interiors of Syria"

Robert Woodland, Woodland and Son, England

"The Restoration of the Interiors of the Palace of Westminster and St. Stephens Tower in London"

Cynthia Borman, Classical Decorative Arts, Homewood, Ill.

"The Roman Villa Centered Around Pompeii and Herculaneum A.D. 79"

Host of the 2002 Salon was Vigini Studios, Inc. of San Antonio.  Salon 2003 will be in Bruges, Belgium.  If you missed The Salon in San Antonio, you will have another chance to visit one when it returns to the United States in 2005.  You may view photos of past Salons on the Web at www.viginistudios.com.