NO PLAIN JANE HERE!

My father, a musician in bass, violin and piano, delivered laundry during the day. Much like actors who wait tables while waiting for the big break, dad was a busy man. So at 12 years old, wishing my bedroom was a different color, I asked if I could paint it myself. He said yes, bought the paint, and the rest is history.

Closing a 20-year career in sales and design in the garment industry, I packed up my Fine Art degree and began a business in design and specialty painting. A fortunate call to The Finishing School in Floral Park, New York, put me into the talented hands of Bob Marx and the innovative products of Faux Effects International. Another 20 years have passed, with economic downturns in the market and aesthetic maturity in the field. Some things remain the same, however. Classic finishes like Venetian plasters adjust to modern tastes. When a client asked for a dramatic focal wall, with a wink to the distressed trend and a nod to elegance, a two color, crackled Venetian plaster finish became the collaborative choice. The first coats of Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem® looked so beautiful, it took a deep breath to proceed with the cracked layer of blended Moonstone Grey and White on White Venetian Gem®. Following the curing process, we applied custom stainless steel wrapped floating shelves. An old world finish adjusted to a contemporary application.

Already contracted to paint the staircase in an Americana designed home, jumbo stars were added to the stair treads, with the agreement of the frisky homeowner. Faux Effects’® Black and Off White SetCoat® (products durable enough to withstand foot traffic) provided the base, then a topcoat of Gloss, then Satin C-500™ for durability. An old oak kitchen floor, no longer a candidate for another punishing sanding, needed a cosmetic solution for dings and stains. Five-point stars sized for the width of the galley style area were coated with Metallic Bronze SetCoat®. The negative space was coated with Van Dyke Stain & Seal™ (a good match to existing cabinet doors), which provided deep translucent color and a sealed surface for topcoats.

Contemporary style, trendy themes and adventurous clients all affect how these traditionally conceived products apply to current times, and thus puts a modern face on projects.

Being a trained, skilled, and experienced artist and designer, I can provide quality creative finishes for walls, ceilings, cabinets, and furniture, as well as custom murals. Many of my commissions are in Monmouth County’s (NJ) finest homes, including grand restored Victorians, beach bungalows and condos, each with its own piece of Jersey shore charm, along with the murals of St. Catherine’s Church in Middletown, several commercial venues, apartments in Manhattan and homes on Long Island. Every project is a unique experience, a joy and a creative gift for both me and my clients.

"Plain Jane is design. Plain Jane is fancy paint."

DECORATIVE ART BY: MARY JANE SURUDA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARY JANE SURUDA

WRITTEN BY: MARY JANE SURUDA

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