Hand Painted finishes, Design and Words to live by

Mural helps Rego Park school shine - Queens Chronicle: Central/Mid Queens News

2011-12-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

Mural helps Rego Park school shine - Queens Chronicle: Central/Mid Queens News: Administrators at Our Savior Lutheran School in Rego Park wanted attention and they got it.

2011-05-30T11:01:00.001-04:00

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

2011-05-30T10:52:00.001-04:00

Simplicity is the greatest adornment of art.

Five Valuable Dos

2011-02-02T21:15:00.001-05:00

The Five most important rules for your Faux Decorative painting business. • Stage your areas, keep job areas clean and controlled, Clean up before you leave for the day. The place should feel As if you were never there. • Give your customer the best of your abilities. Do not take short cuts. • Take the time to understand what your customers needs are. Embrace their concepts as if they were your own. • Communicate clearly and professionally Don't keep things from your client, they can come back and bite you. • If it looks wrong it is, fix it. Client should not have to point to things which do not look right. What would you ad to this list. George Alonso Of Hand & Soul

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In The Zone with my Paint Brush

2011-01-11T01:58:00.004-05:00

IN THE ZONE

Today was one of those days where...Every stroke of the brush counted. Where I hit a groove and perfect consistency of paint. The paint flowed not drying to fast or to slow it was perfect.

When in the Zone or lets say in Sync with your medium you will sense how the temperature in the room affects paint. Yes today was a Zen moment not one movement lost, It was good to feel grounded and to lock into the work.

As we enter into this new year lets do it big!!! and with focus. Paying attention to every move we take, To every brush stroke, to every step we take to every bite we ingest make it count.

Here's to being in the Zone for 2011

George

5 Extraordinary Uses for Baking Soda

2010-09-10T11:42:00.004-04:00

75 Extraordinary Uses for Baking Soda...any other?
http://ping.fm/jsrwQ

via Ping.fm

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2010-09-10T11:42:00.001-04:00

75 Extraordinary Uses for Baking Soda...any other?
http://ping.fm/jsrwQ

Chip Conley: Measuring what makes life worthwhile | Video on TED.com

2010-07-27T11:29:00.000-04:00

Chip Conley: Measuring what makes life worthwhile

Chip Conley: Measuring what makes life worthwhile | Video on TED.com

#1 - Rethink Governors Island - 25 Big Ideas | Crain's New York Business

2010-06-30T11:37:00.001-04:00

via crainsnewyork.com

What do you think of these 25 great Ideas?
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CN&Date=20100606&Cate...

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Michael Sandel: The lost art of democratic debate.

2010-06-08T22:07:00.004-04:00

Michael Sandel: The lost art of democratic debate.
http://ping.fm/XHFUk

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-06-08T22:07:00.001-04:00

Michael Sandel: The lost art of democratic debate.
http://ping.fm/XHFUk

Painting a panel door is an ART...Thanks You Tube

2010-06-02T00:24:00.009-04:00

Last summer I had a client reach out to me to do the prep work of all his new wood molding, Trim work and Doors. This ended up being an enormously enriching experience in the ART OF PAINTING A DOOR.

I will be the first to state that I do not consider myself a house painter butI do know how to lay down paint and what something should look like when it is painted properly.

On this particular project I brought in what I thought and was told is a good painter, he came highly recommended. At the end of the day I realize he could not cut a straight line or paint a door without brush marks. It was a disaster I paid the guy for the day and did not bring him back the following day I came in I had a very unhappy customer. I let them know that I was aware of what was going on with the doors it will be addressed.

We were using Aura by Benjamin Moore in a satin finish and the doors were all 6 panel doors and 16 had to be painted on all sides. So I reached out to my painting contractor buddies picked there brains about the product and I went onto You Tube looking for a technique that would help me address these doors. Those of you who have not worked with Aura, I will tell you it drys fast so you need to find your rhythm with it, trust it and keep moving do not go back into areas that have begun to dry, it shows up. Do not go back if you missed a spot let it dry then come back to it as well. You can touch up holidays with a light sanding then re hit that area, it blends in perfectly. .... Ok I am posting 3 videos I found on You Tube which helped me formulate a game plan. I did have to adapt this technique with the AURA because it sets up fast.

There is plenty of information out there to assist us in tackling challenges so remember to breath relax do your homework.

When You paint a door you must be patient, deliberate, focused and work comfortably.

I have painted many doors in my life time but it has been with oil based paints and latex paints with more working time. You can ad extenders and such as latex extender made for glazing to Aura paint....I almost let that out...but I have also used Floetral.

Gear : Good quality Nylon Brush for latex ( Purdy ) 1" and 3 1/2"

Roller and Sleeve (4" smooth white foam roller )

Drop cloth

Rags

Small step ladder

Paint tray with liner

Painters tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IcPQpv6fbc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gjl7csYtfQ&feature=related

Let me know your thoughts I would love to hear them.

George Alonso

Of Hand & Soul

What BP does not want you to see.

2010-05-27T13:58:00.002-04:00

What BP does not want you to see.

This is truly shameful and unforgivable.

http://ping.fm/kR1rU

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

House painters and Faux Decorative artists can work together!!!

2010-05-26T01:18:00.002-04:00

House painters and Faux Decorative artists can work together.

House painter try's to pic a fight via his blackberry because I called him on his prep work. In an email I offer to assist him and I get a nasty email in return. I guess he did not appreciate my calling him out on the bad prep work. A painter should possess the quality of knowing what has to be done.. I did not respond ... I did email the Designer, not to complain about her painter but to assure her that I will do my part and make it wright. She offered to pick up any additional coasts at her expense.
Check your walls well if others do your prep work.... give the Designers a spec sheet of instructions for the painter for your specific techniques......Hold up the job if the walls are not up to par. "You are a professional the day you learn to say no"

via Ping.fm

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Boy Sues Mother For Changing His Facebook Password

2010-04-08T01:52:00.000-04:00

Boy Sues Mother For Changing His Facebook Password

Who do you side with here... This will be interesting to watch.

What is happening with our great minds and common sense?

George

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

2010-04-07T16:32:00.002-04:00

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

http://ping.fm/OwehP

via Ping.fm

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Untitled

2010-03-31T19:36:00.001-04:00

Watching Kevin Bales: How to combat modern slavery

http://ping.fm/9UkLI

via Ping.fm

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Untitled

2010-03-30T19:36:00.003-04:00

http://ping.fm/5AfCn

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-03-30T19:36:00.001-04:00

http://ping.fm/5AfCn

Untitled

2010-03-28T08:23:00.003-04:00

UP early energized to get lots done today should not be a work day but will be for a little....Then some play time

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-03-28T08:23:00.001-04:00

UP early energized to get lots done today should not be a work day but will be for a little....Then some play time

10 Marketing Trends for 2010 - 2010 Marketing Trends

2010-03-27T18:59:00.001-04:00

via entrepreneur.com

Thanks to the tools of the social web, such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online video and so on, news and information travels instantaneously, and that means marketers have new and exciting opportunities to reach consumers.

Posted via web from George's posterous

10 Critical Steps for Creating A Powerful Luxury CRM Culture

2010-03-02T19:38:00.001-05:00

Excellent article by Milton Pedraza.

10 Critical Steps for Creating A Powerful Luxury CRM Culture

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=113086407&gid=75726&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fbeta%2Eluxurysociety%2Ecom%2Farticles%2F10-critical-steps-for-creating-a-powerful-luxury-crm-culture&urlhash=uoC7&trk=news_discuss

Let me know what you think?

Posted via email from George's posterous

2010-03-02T10:15:00.001-05:00

Which side of "stuff" are you on: logic or emotion? I love reading Gitomer what do you think? Its a challenge I face with customers all the time.
http://ping.fm/JRwpt

Untitled

2010-02-27T18:56:00.003-05:00

http://ping.fm/9lKRR http://ping.fm/Noggm

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-02-27T18:56:00.001-05:00

http://ping.fm/9lKRR http://ping.fm/Noggm

http://moduscouture.wordpress.com/

2010-02-27T18:54:00.000-05:00

http://moduscouture.wordpress.com/

Untitled

2010-02-27T17:58:00.003-05:00

Not happy today can not find my wedding ring.
Really stinks!!!!

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-02-27T17:58:00.001-05:00

Not happy today can not find my wedding ring.
Really stinks!!!!

Had great fun people watching @ the Whitney. G Alonso

2010-02-25T18:22:00.001-05:00

Posted via SMS from George's posterous

Had great fun people watching @ the Whitney. G Alonso

2010-02-24T20:35:00.001-05:00

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Anything good in the city today? G Alonso

2010-02-24T15:11:00.001-05:00

Posted via SMS from George's posterous

Hello G Alonso

2010-02-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

Posted via SMS from George's posterous

Untitled

2010-02-24T11:44:00.001-05:00

ROBERT GROSVENOR - Had the pleasure of working with Robert in flocking what has to be the largest Flocked item ever in the USA. I'd like to thank Jill of Donjer Products for the introduction. The opening is Wednesday night. I am Excited.
http://ping.fm/FwPUC

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-02-24T11:43:00.001-05:00

Untitled

2010-02-24T10:56:00.001-05:00

When Opulence Goes Wrong: This I thought was quite amusing....http://bit.ly/cMU5u8

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-02-24T10:55:00.001-05:00

When Opulence Goes Wrong: This I thought was quite amusing....http://bit.ly/cMU5u8

Untitled

2010-02-08T13:17:00.003-05:00

Anyone using PING if so how do you like it?

via Ping.fm

Posted via web from George's posterous

2010-02-08T13:17:00.001-05:00

Anyone using PING if so how do you like it?

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/attractclients.htm

2010-01-19T17:06:00.001-05:00

Eight steps to attracting Clients

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/attractclients.htm

http://escapefromillustrationisland.com/2010/01/07/sample-contract-for-illustrators-and-designers/

2010-01-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

http://escapefromillustrationisland.com/2010/01/07/sample-contract-for-illustrators-and-designers/

Qcc 3 27 09

2009-11-05T12:16:00.001-05:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Qcc 3 27 09

View more presentations from Of Hand & Soul.

Join the colored pencil of the month club. » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: colored-pencils, pencils, artful

2009-09-08T22:12:00.001-04:00

Join the colored pencil of the month club. » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: colored-pencils, pencils, artful

Posted using ShareThis

Hand Painted finishes, Design and Words to live by

2009-09-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

Hand Painted finishes, Design and Words to live by

Curbly Video Podcast: Give Old, Shabby Furniture a Fresh, Modern Facelift. » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: curblyvideo, furniture, dresser, paint

2009-08-31T21:15:00.001-04:00

Curbly Video Podcast: Give Old, Shabby Furniture a Fresh, Modern Facelift. » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: curblyvideo, furniture, dresser, paint

Posted using ShareThis

Creative Journals for your projects."THE DETAILS"

2009-06-08T11:47:00.000-04:00

How often do we plan projects in our heads, relying on our minds to recall details?

How to develop an idea for your next project is our focus today.

Some of us are great at being able to recollect information some of us are not so lucky.

Today I will share with you an excellent way to pull all this information together which is fun

and keeps you motivated especially if a project is to take weeks or months.

It is recommended that you take the time to collect your thoughts, in a journal form, in a scrap book form etc. Do it in a way that becomes fun. Here is how I do it to keep it exciting.

Give yourself a week, more or less depending on the scope of the project.

Think of a theme or themes and then what ever you come by in your travels, in magazine, internet searches, fabric swatches,color cards,words & sketches place into the folder. Label if you want i.e. if it is a photo maybe circle or do the "POST IT" thing on the item you are turned on by. The more material you have to chose from the more exciting your decision making will be.

Now do not look at what you are collecting for the first few days. ( I like to wait as long as I can.)

For the next step have a blank bond note book as big as you like or scrap book.

These are good because you can draw in them as well.

Sort your items i.e. colors , fabrics, furniture, lighting, flooring and place them in a way that makes sense and flows for you for your project.

Working quickly , being intuitive and record your initial response.

This conceptual level of the project will allow you to express yourself

without focusing on the individual details.

It is a way of working the design concept as a whole as a complete picture.

Once you have zeroed in on your areas of interest, focus on specific ideas and explore those in detail. Keep all this development in this inspiration journal ( Creative Journal) It will make the experience of your next renovation or design project enjoyable.

When you are at a good place with all your thoughts

You can take your inspirations mount them on a foam board so that all, involved in your project have no doubts as to what your project is to look like at the end.

Please post any comments you may have and follow my Blog for future postings

Bye now

George Alonso

Of Hand & Soul

Endeavor to Overcome the misconception

2009-01-10T21:20:00.000-05:00

Let go and overcome the misconception that doing our art or work is hard.

The anxiety it involves, the expenditure of energy is insane, and my god the sacrifices it involves!!!

When we do our art or the whatever it may be we love it is as natural as breathing and as sleeping.

Of course It will take time and it will take a commitment. Where is there a better use of time than using your imagination to do what feels good and pleasurable. To stay awake into all hours and not even realize you have done so. How wonderful is that?

Nudge yourself when any negative thought comes to mind pulling you from creating.

My wife a few years ago was in school for floral design and it became very clear to her how the creative process takes you over. She would ask me "how can you stay up so late and get up so early the next day and still function." Well when she started creating her floral arrangements who do you think was up into all hours all caught up in the process?

Creating is life's food it comes in many flavors in many forms.

So endeavor to over come the misconception, creating is not difficult it may take some time it may get a little frustrating and that is all OK.

Have a great year creating what you wish just for you.

Artists is time to own your own business

2008-11-11T23:58:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like owning your own business. There is a sense of freedom but one must also maintain self discipline and self control. Everyday is a business day - resist the temptation of taking days off. Remember everyday is a business day to focus on making money, targeting your markets and keeping the house in order. Give your self the time off when you have earned it or give yourself a gift like a massage, go to an art gallery do what inspires you and recharges you.

Start your own, but do your homework, do what you love to do, do what you enjoy and do what you know.

It is very true that most business fail in the first two years which is why most banks will not loan or even give you lines of credit until you have completed two years in business.

You can do it.

Artists it is time to own your own businesses

George Alonso

Of Hand & Soul

Why Faux -Decorative Painting

2008-10-20T23:38:00.000-04:00

It the last number of months I have been getting this question -

Why Faux / Decorative painting?

I as a Faux/Decorative artist of course find myself stumped when I get the question. Those of us, my fellow artist

who as I eat,sleep and drink our art form must remember that it is not about us. We create for our clients.

Faux /Decorative painting gets a bad wrap mostly because it is over done it needs to be approached selectively.

This means that maybe we do a feature wall not all the walls in a room. It means being sensitive enough to suggest

what is the most appropriate for your customers for the space.

If budget is an issue through methods and by the manipulation of paint ,color and textures, one can bring character and elegance to a room and set a operatic or rockin tone. When you set a tone you begin with your furnishings or that simple item which tells us who you are. Inspirations are all around us. A simple wash of color on a wall will invigorate the soul. Take risks have fun - Its only paint which has been given a voice.

More later...

George Alonso

Of Hand and Soul

The Hands of Creation

Words to Live By : Quote about giving

2008-08-22T14:59:00.000-04:00

"Give away everything you know, and more will come back to you." Paul Arden

Will see you all soon when I have a moment to focus on my topic which should be fun.

Thanks

George Alonso Of Hand & Soul.

Words to Live By

2008-06-21T18:12:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my first posting of Painted Finishes, Design & words to Live By.

Today : "Words to Live By"

Often when some of us go through our creative process people look at us as if we are abnormal or crazy. So?

Some of us are no doubt, very crazy and crazy can be good, but we will touch on that in the future. Its a big subject.

We are all familiar with the comments "that looks horrible", "why would you do that" or that's just not practical.

But what keeps me motivated and should keep you inspired is that what we do will always light up some ones life somewhere. We will never make everyone happy believe in your creations if your a designer or not.

Light up your life with Design and create something as often as you can for yourself or others.

Remember Design is about pushing the envelope and will not always make sense, here in lies the magic of great design.

See you at the next blog.

Best regards

George Alonso

Of Hand & Soul

Creations beyond the walls of your eyes