Skip to content

Nov 19

facebook.profile.bottle.parch1
1 Comment

Now Announcing My New Business: Art & Elixir!

Some of you may have been wondering where  I’ve been or what I have been up to.  Well wonder no more!

I’ve recently launched a new business called Art & Elixir and have very much been caught up with my new to-do list that this fun new venture requires.

Art & Elixir hosts painting events at local Twin Cities restaurants so that you can sip your favorite drink while we guide you through the featured painting of the night.  Our events are geared towards those who have never painted before but have always wanted to try – no art experience is necessary!  After our 2-3 hour social painting events everyone will go home with a masterpiece that is ready to hang.  Our standard events are $35 (plus your bar tab) with which you get a fun night out as well as your masterpiece to take home!

Read more

Aug 2

The Modern Patina at Rusty Taco
1 Comment

Rusty Taco

Last month I had the fun task of creating and installing a custom countertop for Rusty Taco’s new Minneapolis location.  The Rusty Taco is a delicious taco hot spot serving $2.50 hand made tacos and margaritas – yumm.  This new location opened just weeks ago and is located at 522 E. Hennepin Ave, Mpls.

With a garage theme as a guide, I created this swirling metallic silver and black countertop.  By using iCoat’s Metal Illusion product, I was able to create a stunning, unique, and durable countertop for all of those tacos to be served up on.

How did you do that you say?

Well let’s start at the beginning to see what’s under there.  The great guys at Cabinets by Dan fashioned a wood top for us made out of a special water resistant wood.  The finish we’ve created is just 1/8″ thick yet tough as nails.  It can go right over most surfaces but in this case, it was a new countertop.  Here is what the top looked like to start:

Read more

Jun 30

the modern patina website

New and Improved Website.

Balancing the hands-on art portion of my business with the behind-the-scenes bookwork is a constant battle.  Of course, I would rather be sipping a latte while churning out new and unique finishes in my studio – any artist would.  The reality of it is that a lot of bookwork goes along with each project.  There are also times when a reworking of a crucial element of my business becomes necessary.

This week was just that time for The Modern Patina.  My previous web design software has been deemed outdated with the latest Mac upgrades (I will miss you iWeb!).  With one complete year of advanced notice, I of course, waited until the very last week to choose a new software and redesign my website.  Once I found a great alternative to iWeb, I was on a roll.

Without further ado, I announce The Modern Patina’s new and improved website:

With the use of Square Space, I’ve reworked and relaunched my website.  It now has a sleek, modern look that I’m growing quite fond of.  I’ve de-cluttered my galleries and only included my favorite project images.  The same went for my featured samples.  Why would anyone want to sift through 50+ images of samples when just a handful of my favorites can show my skill and style?

Read more

May 24

DSC02954
1 Comment

Studio Time

Some of you may be wondering what I’ve been up to for the past couple of months.  I’m wondering where all that time went!

I’ve been busily working in my studio in the evenings and helping a fellow painter out during the day.  As you may have noticed, I’ve been really caught up with the decorative concrete overlays lately.  Nothing has changed in the past couple of months!  I have had the opportunity to help a fellow faux finisher install a countertop overlay.  Terri was nice enough to let me delve right into each stage of the process.  I now have a much better idea of the whole process as well as many tips and tricks for all those details that are so important.

Back in my studio, you’ll find a large drying rack holding 14+ samples in various stages of completion, a 5 gallon bucket of concrete and drill laying out for daily use, and a generously sized table papered off where all of the work happens.

Here are a couple photos of my studio in full “concrete overlay” mode:

My two new favorite samples from my efforts:

I have a couple of concrete overlay projects coming up that I am excited about. One of them will be at the restaurant Rusty Taco.  This will be a silver metallic finish that will go really well with their men’s garage theme.  The second project coming up is an island for a family whose original countertops have cracked.  We are going to match the original counters to keep the look of the original kitchen intact.

I’m excited to write a post after they are completed to share the process!

Apr 15

The dramatic wall color in this guest bath wraps the room with warmth and energy. Color from Ralph Lauren metallic paint collection.

The walls above.

Knowing that this is a tough topic for most homeowners, I’ve asked Sarah Bernardy-Broman of Sarah Bernardy Design to help us feel a little more comfortable with addressing our ceilings.  Read below to hear what Sarah is saying about painting your ceilings.

During a color consult for my clients the other day we had made our selections for all the wall colors on the main level, when the wife asked, “now what color for the ceiling? Can we do something other than white?” An instant smile stretched across my face, not only because she was first in suggesting we put color on the ceiling, a controversial topic in most households, but they have the coveted flat ceilings, not popcorn or knock-down! Can you feel my smile? I view the open space immediately looking for the starting and stopping points per room. We select a nice soft yellow called, Cottage Cream from Sherwin Williams that compliments all of our color selection, but is much warmer than the existing primer white.

When did color on the walls above become a subject that’s hard to address? I’m not saying you need Sistine Chapel glory on your ceilings; I’m talking a color other than white. Painting your ceilings the same color or even a shade or two lighter then the walls in your room or home is not rocket science, but it may take a color expert to get you to the right shade suited for your space and level of comfort.

Read more

Apr 5

Guest blogging

I had the honor of guest blogging on Sarah Bernardy Design’s blog this week.

I wrote a feature post on using iCoat to add curb appeal to the walkways and front steps of your home.  It is a great product and great time of year to complete a job outside as you’ll have the long summer to enjoy it!

Check it out here.

Mar 13

Portraits by Michael Shapcott

Reblogged from Say Hello:

Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post

Connecticut-based artist Michael Shapcott creates wonderfully colored portraits by starting with graphite underdrawings that are then painted with washes in oil and acrylic. He currently has work at Thinkspace in Culver City through March 24th, and you can buy prints at Society6.

The stunning work of Michael Shapcott. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Mar 10

Flagstone
3 Comments

iCoat Concrete Countertop/Flooring Seminar – Part 2

Our iCoat concrete countertop/flooring seminar is done.  Sad, I know.

We came away with nine sample boards.  Three samples each of countertops, concrete flooring, and metallic illusions epoxy flooring.  My head is full of ideas for new samples so prepare yourself for more to come!

As I mentioned in my last post, my first project will be my bathroom’s countertops that currently has green swirl laminate.

It should be a great before and after project!

Take a look at my haul:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mar 10

iCoat Concrete Countertop Class - The Modern Patina
1 Comment

iCoat Concrete Countertop/Flooring Seminar – Post 1

It has been two fun days of learning and playing with the my newly found product line called iCoat.  Bear with me as I tend to get very excited about new product lines and let my geeky art side shine strong.

I wrote a short post after signing up for the seminar which you can find right here.  This product line has a countertop and flooring/wall portion with unlimited options of texture and color combinations.

I’ve been in class for two days now and made nine sample boards – yay!

The first day we covered how to create countertops – truly one of the most fun products that I have ever used.  It definitely has the wow factor when applying the colorants and even more so when the epoxy coating goes on and all the colors pop once again.

Read more

Mar 6

New Stencil Works by Street Artist C215

Reblogged from Say Hello:

Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post

French artist Christian Guémy aka C215 has been an active street artist for over 20 years, his first stencils going up around 2006 and according to Street Art London his daughter is now following in his footsteps making her own 2 layer stencils. See much more on Flickr.

I couldn't resist reblogging this amazing post from Say Hello that is all about the street artist C215. There are some truly fantastic pieces featured. I think my new dream is to become a street artist!
← Older Entries
%d bloggers like this: