Hero Gone and the Best Visits of 2010 and...

Starting 2011 Sad...

Personal Hero Gone:

As I write this blog, I am sorry to say that my grandfather, Edward Pieracci at the age of 94, died on New Year's Day.  I am happy to say that I was with him when he passed. I am not certain that I should share something so personal, but the reason that I paint... the reason that I "Make work my Favorite" ... is because of my "Pop." 

I was lucky enough to have 2 fathers growing up.  My Dad and my Pop.   We lived in the same 2-flat and I was little Eddie, his biggest fan.  I loved to get his tools and help fold drop cloths, clean brushes, watch him custom mix wood putty, etc. and occassionally get to paint. 

As a teenager, working summers on my grandfather's painting crew, it was hard to keep up with the "old guy."  He taught me how to eat lunch with my left hand and paint with my right. He taught me that getting to the jobsite at sunrise was the best time to set up a job and start your work.  He taught me to lead a crew by example. He really new how to move a brush!!

First Faux Lesson:
One really hot summer afternoon, he took mercy on me and showed me how to woodgrain a metal door to match the existing oak stained trim. We were using diesel fuel, oil stain and I am not sure what else. He didn't call it faux painting.  He didn't call it anything.  My Grandfather was NOT a big talker, but he taught me how to do things by showing me and then letting me have a try. (Same way he taught me to catch and hit a curve ball, just by throwing it at me)


He was one of the Great Ones and will be sorely missed.  I can't thank him enough and could go on, but per his example, I will get back to work...


Best of 2010:

Per my daughters' and my combined opinion, the best performer of the year was Rihanna.

The best drama was Lost.

Best new Show was Modern Family.

And my new Favorite discovery was The Colbert Report. (Thanks to my youngest)

My new favorite Internet discovery was Fauxology http://www.fauxology.com/

Best of my Visits and Favorite Moments:
60 cities in 22 weeks!!! ...
Thanks to all of you, It was a fantastic ride these past several months.  As I reviewed my files and past Blog entries, I was reminded of how lucky i am to get to meet and work with such talented artists. I also realized that to keep the entries short and readable, that I had to omit a lot of great stuff.

The "And..." from the title:
I am excited to say that in 2011, I will be able to share more detailed information in the new online version of  the Artisphere magazine from IDAL!!!  Look for it early this year.  I will keep you posted.

Favorites:
 It is hard to pick actual favorite visits, but I will list a few memorable moments for your review.

Strike a Pose:
Our visit to Vogue International headquarters for a Faux Impressions, Venetian Plaster Installation!  Thanks to SW Sales Rep Extraordinairre, Rob Luciano!!!

I added a few photos and a link to an article in the Huffington Post about the Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour. 

(I assume that it is okay to add to or edit a past blog post??  Blog police, let me know)

Attack of the MAG...
St. Louis' tenacious IDAL chapter event at Wood Icing! (Amber and Mark and the blow dryers, could barely keep up with them)

Kathy Carroll's puppy, Bella.
The Chicago Artisan's were pretty good too...

Sheri Hoeger Time
The visit to Sheri's studio was worth the drive!

Busy in Phoenix:

Ran out of boards in Phoenix and used my rental car as a drying rack. (Sorry Mr. Shatner)

Kansas City 70!

Before the storm...

Boston Design Center, Color Studio

Cindy Sampson and local artists work

ColorMix 2011:
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/paint_colors/

Pat Ganino of the Faux Forum, winning the portrait contest in Golden:

New York City and Venetian Plaster U
In this entry you will see the most amazing Venetian Plaster Library at Evergreene Studios!!


Circling NYC via Long Island...
Favorite How-To at the end of the entry:

2011:

I look forward to seeing and hearing from many of you in this new and exciting year. 

Thanks for all that you do and let's all get better in 2011!

ED

ed@mattinglynolimitspaint.com

www.sherwin.com/faux

http://www.swstir.com/

http://www.fauxforum.com/

Information on IDAL at:

http://www.decorativeartisans.org/