Wednesday, February 2, 2003

Creative Interiors by Hand

She loves her work!

And you will, too!

Marti Hand painter, sales and marketing professional, registered nurse, entrepreneur and owner of Creative Interiors by Hand decided to turn her art avocation into a vocation after being laid off in the fall of 2001, and she has not looked back since.

The goal of the business is to create beauty in interior and exterior rooms through decorative painting.

"I transform ordinary rooms into extraordinary rooms," Hand explained to The Citizen recently.

The idea for "Creative Interiors by Hand" started a few months after cutbacks at the apparel and hardware and software company where Hand worked left her unemployed. After several months of serious thinking, she decided to turn her art avocation into a vocation.

The first six months were spent on research and development, developing a business plan, and marketing and sales activities. The first client commission came after a few months of intensive marketing.

Since then, business has been good.

"I enjoy all aspects of the business, particularly meeting new clients and servicing existing ones," Hand said. "I view my role as a decorative painter as assisting clients to create beauty in their environments, and helping them realize their dreams.

"Receiving hugs from clients after completed projects is an added bonus. What other work gives you that kind of reward?"

Hand's work includes murals, faux finishes, creating theme rooms and transforming sentimental family furniture into extraordinary works of art. Applicable surfaces include, but are not limited to, walls, ceilings, furniture, cabinetry, doors, concrete, columns, hardwood floors, canvas (which is attached to walls and/or ceilings, etc.), leather, and textiles.

"I meet very interesting people with wonderful stories in my business," Hand said.

A client who is now a friend, a World War II war hero, commissioned Hand to replicate an old W.W.II bomber jacket painted with historical war emblems and his B-17 plan on a new leather bomber jacket. The original bomber jacket is on display at the Valdosta Historical Museum and the newly painted one was given to his son.

"I was honored to carry on this history through my painting," Hand said.

Sources of inspiration are primarily nature, but music, artists and other art forms such as architecture and books also influence Hand's work.

The artist knows that preparation, particularly when painting on unusual surfaces like leather, hardwood floors or metal, is critical for proper paint adhesion. This and the important role research are what Hand believes distinguishes her work.

"If the project is a theme room, I research the topic, region, culture, logos, essentially everything about the subject, and present my ideas to the client," Hand said.

Hand's faux finishes range from simple to complex in both technique and appearance. Her faux stone looks (marble, granite, semiprecious gemstones, flagstone, limestone, sandstone, shale, etc.) are based on actual stone samples, analyzed for color and variations, and then replicated with paint. The finished look is the illusion of real stone, minerals or tree bark, but it's paint.

In most cases, Hand uses only artist paints or dry pigments in her work, unless clients specifically want to use house paints to color match existing painted surfaces.

"I experiment heavily with various types of mediums to achieve the right colors, consistency and look for the client," Hand said. "For instance, beer and vinegar are excellent mediums for painting on cabinetry and furniture. The decorative effects can range from subtle to dramatic depending on the look desired."

Ongoing education is an important aspect of Hand's business. She attends Atlanta College of Art to expand her abilities.

"Continuous improvement is critical in my role as a painter," Hand said, "and I incorporate these new skills, techniques, and information into my work."

Hand's customers know that even though she invests all of her creative abilities into projects for them, they won't have to reduce their own investments in order to afford her services.

"I offer pricing options to clients," Hand said. "Artistic creations need not be extremely costly."

Costs range from less to more expensive depending on the complexity, size, type of faux finish, mural, furniture, surface preparation, etc.

"My goal is to create beauty, on a small or grand scale," Hand said.

"Every one of us wants to be surrounded by our own version of beauty, and I want to create that look or feeling for people to enjoy."

(Information for this article was submitted by the business owner. If you are interested in being featured in The Citizen's Home & Garden section, contact Joyce Beverly at 770-719-1880 or jbeverly@thecitizennews.com.)

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