Ispirato Design Blog

Jenn Williamson, Booth G-46 (Dec. 8 to 11th)

Next weekend I will have an incredible display of NEW fine art paintings, and DIVINO DESIGN COLLECTION PAINTINGS on sale at the “One of a Kind Show”, Vancouver Convention Centre, West.

For full details about the show, visit their website:  http://oneofakindvancouver.com/

"Passages II" (36" x 36"), and 3 Divino Design Collection Paintings

This wine cellar is truly Divine in an aged lime plaster finish that makes you feel like you are in Italy!   A finer new home would be hard to come by, and the luxury Vancouver neighbourhood leaves nothing to be desired.

Entrance of wine cellar - Lime plaster walls & ceiling

Hallway & Barrel Ceiling (Left side)

The quality builder, trades & interior designer play no small part in the professional feel that is so evident at the jobsite.  Many thanks to Don Murphy (Gemlevy Projects Ltd.) http://gemlevy.com/ for your assistance in so many ways.  This project has been a PLEASURE to be part of!

To the amazing “Patty”, (Patricia Neilson Design / c.604.762.7036) – once again your exquisite taste and impressive knowledge of what ‘works’ have done their magic!

Wine Cellar Niche

Looking into Wine Cellar.....

If you are looking for a Professional Installer to provide you with a competitive quote, give Jenn a call @ 604-825-7579.  I offer more than 20 years experience in plaster & decorative finishing, along with Professionalism, Integrity and Meticulous attention to detail!    I bring an artist’s touch to every project I do (and a smile :0)

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REASONS to consider incorporating lime plaster into your next project………there is no better choice than GENUINE Italian lime plaster for areas like wine cellars, bathrooms & kitchens.  Listed here are just a few of the many benefits of using lime plaster:

-  When lime plaster cures, the result is a hard-as-stone, long-lasting mineral coating.

-  Non-toxic & green, lime plasters are ideal for interiors.  Applied as a two (or three) coat veneer system, your walls (or other surfaces) will be left with excellent absorption and diffusion characteristics, leading to optimal indoor air quality.

-  Naturally high in pH, lime finishes act as an anti-bacterial surface, neutralizing the development of organic substances such as mold and fungus, increasing the quality of air when used indoors.

-  Lime plaster provides moderate insular properties.  By choosing lime plaster, you can cut back on heating and cooling costs.

-  There is nothing more timeless or luxurious than lime plaster.

~ Jenn Williamson    www.ispiratodesign.com    

    Cel.    604-825-7579

Happy “Back to School” to all you self-employed parents out there (myself included :0)

As wonderful as it is to have 2 MONTHS with your kids at home, there is something to be said for getting back to ‘real life’ when they return to school.

My boys brought me much joy this Summer, but not a lot of income…..so back to the ‘grind’ of working (and actually making some money), is well received by moi.

Grade 11 & Grade 3 are both going well.  I’m relieved that I personally am in neither.  I am still able to help ‘grade 3′er’ with his homework, but when it comes to grade 11 stuff, we go to dad (who teaches grade 12, so hopefully he can help?!).

What a summer!  Our week in Whistler was a huge highlight.  In a moment of insanity, I agreed to join the bungee jumpers next year.  I observed from a safe distance this year, and after seeing 4 of my family members survive, I had this euphoric feeling that I could do it to.  As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted ever saying them…..but too late – they were already taken as ‘my word’ that I am doing it next year.  The thought of this is already causing me huge anxiety, but I have 11 months to stress about it, so I’m sure it will only get worse.   My only consolation is that my sister-in-law has ‘agreed’ to join me in this ridiculous endeavor, so perhaps if she goes first, I will be brave enough to follow (hint, hint, Kelly …… I will hold the little one while you jump :0)

So the next few months are full of excitement.  I have a wine cellar, niche & hoodfan to apply custom Italian Lime plaster finishes to,  3 commission fine art paintings to create, antique furniture to refinish, a fireplace surround to resurface, Intonachino, Tadelakt & Carrara to trowel to my hearts’ content, a restaurant sign to restore, cabinet doors to stain, kids to feed & a house to keep clean!  No problem……this all feels like “time off” compared to being home all summer :0)  just kidding….sort of.

Plenty of pictures to follow – I promise – one job at a time.  Oh, did I mention that I have an art competition next weekend?  That’s my focus this week – completing 3 paintings for submission to a West Vancouver Gallery to have a solo or group show in 2012.

Never boring, predictable or without challenges – that’s the life we live, and I thank God for each day I have, (as well as the many blessings I receive).

Happy September my family, friends and all who may stumble upon this blog posting.

A few of the Paintings I sold last weekend.....

Thank you to Harmony Arts Festival organizers, attendees, fellow artists and, most importantly, customers of mine!  This photo of me holding my “Sales Board” shows only a portion of the 32 paintings I sold during the 4 day ‘Art Market’.

The memories I will treasure most from the weekend include the connections I made with people as we discussed the meaning behind some of my paintings, (in particular, a conversation I had with a gentleman about my “Genesis” series of paintings).  I will forever cherish the interpretation he shared with me!

For 20 years I have diligently studied and refined my artistic talents.  The journey has been full of challenges, and the 2011 Harmony Arts Festival represents a highlight in my career.

As an artist that “paints from her heart“, every time I show my work publicly, I experience a feeling of vulnerability that words can’t quite define.  I am filled with a sense of anticipation – and a deep yearning – to ‘let loose’ my creativity in response to the positive feedback I received last weekend.   The resulting works will be a ’thank you’, in part, to each of you who were inspired by my work, and were moved enough to share this with me.

Living life ‘on purpose’ is something I strive to do each and every day.  To know that my art is profoundly impacting people, confirms to me that I am doing what I was created to do.   So, it’s back to the drawing board (easel), to replenish my inventory that was substantially depleted last weekend…..this is the kind of challenge I love to be faced with!

(Following is my Biography & Artist Statement for anyone that may be interested…..)

Biography – Artist Stmt_MODIFIED

My artwork has been selected by a jury to be on display at the “Harmony Arts Festival” in West Vancouver (Ambleside) this summer.   The Festival dates are from July 29th to August 1st (BC Day long weekend), and there will be tons of fun for the whole family!      http://harmonyarts.ca/

Original Italian plaster art by Jenn Williamson. Divino Design - "Lasting Impressions" Collection

Original Italian plaster art by Jenn Williamson. Divino Design - "Lasting Impressions" Collection

Original Italian plaster art by Jenn Williamson. Divino Design "Classic" Collection

For the month of June, 2011, I am the ‘Featured Artist’ at the Water Shed Arts Cafe in Walnut Grove, Langley:      (www.watershedartscafe.com)

"Calvary" & "Concepts" - Original Fine Art by Jenn Williamson

Take a minute to enjoy the welcoming & relaxing surroundings at the Water Shed!

Greeting you as you enter the cafe are a selection of my paintings …… “Calvary” and “Concepts” shown in this photo.

All of my pieces are created using the best quality products available – from Golden’s professional artist line of acrylics to genuine Italian Lime plasters.

No detail is spared when it comes to getting the texture and colour precisely the way I want, and the quality shows in every inch of each painting!

Original Artwork by Jenn Williamson - On display at The Water Shed Arts Cafe in Langley, BC

Original Artwork by Jenn Williamson - On display at The Water Shed Arts Cafe in Langley, BC

Metallic Venetian Plaster feature wall

This delightful client fell in love with a metallic blue venetian plaster sample board I had in my portfolio – so much that she wanted to have a feature wall done in the finish.  it looks even more gorgeous in person…… a subtle shimmering ‘natural’ blue that adds so much life to the room. I’ve also created two commissioned paintings for the same client.  They are in for framing this week…..I’ll be sure to post photos once they are installed.

My clients have moved into their amazing home, and recently I went to fix a few touch-ups that happened while the trades were working in the home.  I took some pictures while I was there.  Here’s a list of what I have done in this home so far:

-  Aged Cracked Plaster in Kitchen nook (acrylic plaster);

Aged 'cracked' plaster - Kitchen Nook

-  Faux metal Hood Fan in Kitchen (over commercial sized / industrial range);

Faux metal Hood Fan over industrial stove

-  Distressed Plaster in Powder Bathroom (acrylic plaster);

Powder Bath Plaster walls

Italian plaster walls in Powder Bathroom - Divine!

The best seat in the house!

-  Pompeii Crackle plaster in Ensuite Bathroom & Guest Bathroom (acrylic plaster);

Bathroom walls w/decorative plaster

Soaker Bath corner - Italian plaster walls

Close up of decorative plaster finish

-  Black Venetian Plaster feature walls in boy’s bedroom;

Black Beauty venetian plaster walls in young man's bedroom - very masculine!

-  Charcoal Gray Venetian Plaster feature walls in boy’s bedroom;

Metallic Silver Venetian Plaster feature walls in front room;

The "Fancy Room" - metallic silver plaster

I can't wait until this room is fully decorated - it will be very impressive!

Italian lime plaster ceiling for baby's room

Oh, to wake up to a "sky" like this every morning!

- Italian lime plaster “Blue sky with fluffy, white clouds”……coffered ceiling in Nursery.   This is one lucky baby!

I’m looking forward to the next Phase…..a few fireplaces and the VERY HIGH ceiling in the front entrance.

This week I had the opportunity of doing a feature wall at Greenworks Building Supply on W. 8th Ave. in Vancouver:  www.greenworksbuildingsupply.com.

Lime Plaster wall @ Greenworks Building Supply

Close up......

Really close up!

The wall is done with Stucco Italiano lime plaster – a custom blend of Medium & Extra-Fine Intonachino – tinted to “Fog” (from the “Estate” color collection: CC-3310). The base coat is 100% coverage, with a 2nd coat ‘skip trowelled’, and then a partial coat done while compressing the plaster.  I sealed the wall with Stucco Italiano’s “Marseilles Soap Wax”, to give it protection without altering the already divine patina achieved by compressing the plaster.
You can find out all you might want to know about Stucco Italiano by visiting www.stuccoitalianoinc.com.   Aaron Cohen is a master plaster and all around wealth of information when it comes to the ins & outs of lime-based plaster (and other stuff too!).
Aaron is going to be doing a demo at Greenworks on Thursday, March 17th from 6 to 8pm….it’s free & there will be lots of great information to take in.  Want to learn even more?  Come to Greenworks on Friday, March 18th, where Aaron will be running a 6 hr. workshop.  You can’t get a better deal anywhere……$125.00 includes a trowel & 3 finished samples.  Call Quinton at Greenworks to register by March 15th.  I hope to see you there!

My art show on Valentines night was a great success, thanks in no small part to the dear friends that worked long & hard to help me pull off the set-up and tear-down!  A special thank you to Lori McPhee (local artist and supportive friend), Gail Visser, Carmen Tome, Steve :0), and the many family, friends and clients who came to show their support. Not to mention my dear husband that stayed home with the kids on Valentines night……you really are a special guy, and will forever be my Valentine!

Here are a few photos taken of the setup…. the lighting leaves much to be desired, but the overall effect was dramatic. People were moved by the sense of peace and tranquility my artwork brought to them.  Very few of the wonderful people I spoke to that were attending the show had the “same favourite”…..it just goes to show that art is a very personal thing. I love that about it – it gives me the freedom to be creative in whatever way the painting leads me.

3 of my "biggies" viewed from main floor of restaurant