Swan Studios Mural and Faux Finish Adventures

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Downtown on the River

Our Lee County section of Florida boasts some spectacular views. Besides our beaches and islands, we have some wonderful properties along the Caloosahatchee River. For those not wanting the upkeep of lawn care, downtown Ft Myers offers high rise living with glorious views of the river. It boggles the mind that anyone would block the view that, quite literally they’ve paid tens if not hundreds of thousands to see and live on. But dozens of units have an old 80’s interior concept. (What? Did they not want to see what they paid for back in the 80’s?) Whatever, the reason was for having interior walls chop up the inside flow and halt the views, clients are now requesting to open the space. Working with General Contractors, we’re -well, quite literally opening- up the horizons. Most recently, one of my G.C.s removed a kitchen wall creating a space that makes the kitchen view go on forever and gives the resident a gathering spot during entertaining. Blending new modern features with antique finished cabinets gives the place the perfect downtown vibe and immediately increased the value of their property.

View from the dining room into the kitchen:

The space now allows for additional dining at the pass through and conversation.

The florescent drop down ceiling was removed. This allows for an additional 6" in ceiling height and better lighting.

Opening up the wall where the sink area resides, also allows for additional lighting:

The updated finishes include stainless equipment, granite counter tops, tumbled stone back splash, wood look ashen tile, and of course, lightly glazed cream cabinetry.

a closer look at the faux finished cabinetry:

Ready for your kitchen upgrade...... Contact me a call at Swan Studios Inc.

https://www.swanstudio.net/

and let's open up your horizon!

You can also follow Swan Studios inc on :

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

and You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

#fauxfinish #fauxpainted #paintedcabinets

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Old Glory-Long May She Wave

Old Glory is a nickname for the flag of the United States. The original "Old Glory" was a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver (March 17, 1803 – March 3, 1886), who flew the flag during his career at sea and later brought it to Nashville, Tennessee, where he settled. During a trip to Washington D.C. a few years ago I stood next to the flag flown during the American Revolution. Its spirit is tremendous to say the least. My husband was so gentle and kind and waited while I stayed and stared and cried and thank God for all the lives laid down, so I could live free.

It has been my honor to have painted “Old Glory” several times in my career. Never would I have thought that painting our Nation’s flag would stir up such controversy. But our Nation’s emblem stands strong and so do the hearts of our citizens. So when an anonymous call came into our city complaining that someone was painting a “large flag across the back of a house”, they were soon to realize that our city loves and supports our great nation, our Veterans, and our first responders.

A mural tribute to our Country, Veterans, First Responders, and our city as a “Purple Heart City”

The Before and After photo above shows the backside of the house that faces a main thoroughfare. The home was originally a residence. As the city has grown, the section in which it sets has developed into a commercial area. In a year or so the home will actually be knocked down as an extension of the city's "Bimini Bay" project. Rather than have a dilapidated back of a house as an eye sore, the owner of Costa Mechanical & Air Conditioning commissioned a mural to be painted on to it. One of the services they provide is free service calls to Veterans & First Responders. To pay tribute to them and let the service be known, the original mural looked like this:

However, when the mural began :

..the city received a call about it. When the city showed up to let me know ( I should point out that the city was supportive of the mural, but wanted to let me know about the call ). They noticed by now I had painted a logo onto the mural. Production was halted while they try to clarify what would and would not be allowed on the surface. I had my assistant make a Facebook video letting the local people know what was happening. The response was immediate. Calls came into the city showing support of the mural, shares of the video on Face Book, and even a city council member showing up in support ( Thank you Dave Stokes). The news media arrived after catching the Face Book video. A handful of conversations and meetings later, it was decided that the Flag would stay ! The city requested that the logo and verbiage be removed. Costa Mechanical, asked me at that point to replace their logo and ad with the icon of the Purple Heart logo. Our city is very proud to have earned that right in support of our Veterans. You can catch the original and follow up videos at our Swan Studios Inc page:

https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Link to the original video clip:

https://www.facebook.com/marty.wisher/videos/10215287928370798

You can also see an in-depth report by Hello SW FL at:

https://www.facebook.com/helloswfl/videos/1966802793647994

as well as a separate article discussing our Purple Heart status:

https://www.facebook.com/helloswfl/videos/1968081820186758

Thank you also to NBC, ABC, and CBS for covering the story in our local T.V. News

Thank You everyone for you calls, texts, and shares in support of our Flag, Veterans, & First Responders.

If you are a Veteran or First Responder in need of Air Conditioning Services in the Cape Coral, FL area, you can reach Costa Mechanical & Air Conditioning at http://www.costaswfl.com

Old Glory- Long may she wave !!!

#OldGlory #LoveAmerica #Flagmural

Sunday, January 28, 2018

The Beauty of Classic Marble

The timeless beauty of classic marble is always a perfect choice for a variety of surfaces. Especially here in SW Florida where plain white columns are prevalent in both our interior and exterior décor. Having the columns faux painted with a marble effect lifts the elegance of the space. Here’s look at some timeless column creations I’ve painted:

Of Course, Classic Marble isn't just for columns. A light touch of faux marble gracefully finishes these garden statues:

To have your own columns ( or statues) faux painted in classic marble contact e at Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net/

You can also follow Swan Studios Inc creative adventures at :

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

#fauxpainting #fauxfinish #fauxmarble

Sunday, January 21, 2018

You Sparkle !

You Sparkle!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love anything that sparkles. As a faux artist I’ve created some sparkling finishes for both walls and furnishings. Last year, Swan Studios Inc started a new division called Glitterazzi Boutique dedicated specifically to sparkling Glitter Glasses and Glitter Art. The Glitter art centers on Pop Art pieces and Glitter Portraits. Prior articles focused on the Pop Art. Here’s a glimpse at the Glitter Portraits.

The portraits can be commissioned as frame-less or to be framed.

The frame-less style is clear coated in Epoxy for durability. No fear of glitter going everywhere:

side angle:

Side view of wood canvas.

The framed style is kept safe behind the glass frame. (a glitter frame can also be requested. The frames are clear coated for durability):

To commission a glitter portrait, contact me at Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net/

Glitter Pop Art pieces can be viewed on Facebook at both:

https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

and

https://www.facebook.com/glitterazziboutique

And you can follow us on Google Plus, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube !!!!!

#glitterart #glitterportrait #glitter

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Sometimes You Need a Relief!

Sometimes you just need a relief… on the wall that is. Adding dimension to a faux finish with an embossed relief brings classic elegance to a room. I had the pleasure of painting this room literally 12 years ago. It was time for an update and the finish is expanded into an adjoining room now that the client’s needs have expanded. Once the duo faux glaze had dried to the touch, the relief sections received a touch of sheer silver glaze.

Ready for a relief? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc http://www.swanstudio.net/

Be sure to follow Swan Studios Inc. on your favorite social media site:

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

You Tube:https://www.youtube.com/SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

You can also follow artist Marty Wisher on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/martywisher

#fauxfinish #fauxpainting #fauxrelief

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Stuck in the Middle with You

Faux artists are often asked to match existing finishes. Perhaps there’s a piece of furniture that needs a new finish to go along with a home’s décor or a light fixture that needs to change from brass to oil rubbed bronze. Occasionally, however, the paint request is – hmmm shall we say, a bit more challenging in the fact that the faux painted piece will be directly inserted into the item to be matched. I had two such requests in the same week. I know, weird, I thought. But the challenges were fun and here are the results.

The first was to faux paint a speaker cover that the builder had placed in the middle of a wall. The wall was then covered in a gorgeous bright weave effect wall-covering. The speaker- cover now stuck out like a sore thumb. I faux painted to match not just the color but the texture linen effect of the wall-covering. The speaker now blends in with the wall:

Here's a closer look:

The second challenge was to paint a cover piece for the top of a television that would rise from within an outdoor marble fireplace. The Crema Mafil marble would be to heavy to use as the top cover. When the television is lowered back into the fireplace the top cover would need to blend in as if it were the same continuous carved Crema Mafil marble. I have to say, it turned out great! Of course, the faux finish is also clear coated for outdoor durability: