For
over thirty years, Maury Garvey has been a vital participant in The Old House
New House Home Show, sharing and showcasing his talents as a decorative artist.
An expert in the use of many design techniques
and paint color applications, Maury has a whole-hearted zeal for his
craft. Event Manager, Laura McNamara,
interviews this mindful, inspiring and exuberant exhibitor.
How did you get started in this line of work?
I
grew up in Oak Park and in the 1970’s I employed myself as a painter throughout
high school and college. As I developed my craft, I gave away a second or third
color free, to get jobs painting the exteriors of our neighborhood’s Victorian
homes. The demand for my multi-colored painting was great and I developed my
talent in designing color combinations.
In my early years of creating Painted
Ladies it was easy to walk through the neighborhood and know the homes I
had painted.
What are your favorite tools to us in your craft?
There
are two kinds of tools to use in every work project: physical tools and mental
ones. It is the good use of both that
keeps productivity high enough for something artistic to be expressed. The personal challenge in business is being
able to make real what I envision in my mind at a reasonable cost. I have always been thankful for the people
that have saved some money beyond what is necessary for survival. Centuries ago, it was mostly the kings and
princes, the governors that had the savings to hire crafts-persons. Today, many people have generated enough
wealth and savings to be patrons of the arts.
Can you share some tips on color theory?
When
using color as part of decoration, I want to use the complete color spectrum in
any color scheme. This is easy to do
because every color can be created through some combination of red, yellow and
blue. Even a two color scheme can cover
the full color spectrum: for example, a reddish color with a greenish one or a
blue color would work well with orange.
How do you define your signature style?
When
I work with multiple colors, inside or outside, I want to layer the colors in a
sequence, such as, from lighter to darker or from subtle to bold. My rule is: “Accent nothing in particular and
everything in general.” In other words,
I want the space, room or house to be taken as a whole where any accented
features subtly fit.
What tips from the trade can you share with our homeowners?
Any
interior room wall color can be enhanced by adding a few drops of its opposite
color to ceiling white.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
My
best work, as a painting contractor, is intended to provide more than a
protective coating to a wall or other surface: I also want to create something
pleasing to behold. Most of my clients
are also interested in something beyond just presentable surfaces. They are interested in living in an attractive
space - a place that feels like a home - which is an inviting and pleasant
place to be in.
How has your business changed over the years?
In
the early 1980s, we did our first experimenting with lye based strippers to
remove paint. It developed into a cost effective method that was not so
environmentally friendly. Around 1990, I began utilizing other paint strippers
that were less toxic. They were much
more expensive to use, but they eventually made real that near ideal surface on
which to paint. The paint coatings have
improved significantly over the years.
Can you share any industry insights or professional pointers?
Sometimes
a craftsperson’s art is expressed in design or style and sometimes it is
expressed in the care of a job well done.
To increase the quality of our work and to decrease the cost of its long
term maintenance, we have developed preparation techniques that allow the paint
we apply to last as long as possible. The
most common problem causing paint failure is the thick, “alligatored” paint
under the new coating. Whether inside or
outside, at some point, the old paint must be removed. Quality paint, properly applied, should last
beyond ten years; and I now have examples past fifteen years. Not every surface will last that long but many
will. Once a house is painted well, it
becomes a matter of maintaining it properly – touch up what needs doing and
leave the rest.
Do you have any advice for homeowners attending this event?
As
you walk through the Old House New House
show, you have the opportunity to meet some real crafts-persons who truly enjoy
their work. Many exhibitors have been
here numerous years, like I have. Ask us
questions. We have knowledge to share
with you and we like to talk about what we do best.
Maury Garvey is an
award-winning decorative artist and the owner of The Painting Craftsman. He
specializes in painted ladies, historic homes, interior/exterior painting and
color consultations. For more information visit Booth #1000 in the
Ballroom or www.thepaintingcraftsman.com.
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