How I became a Decorative Artist

In 1995 (oh my is sounds like a long time ago…in a basement far far way…) I was working on samples for a client at 4am. I was trying to figure out a name for my new company. I wanted it reflect how passionate I feel about paint, colours, and design. I wanted to let people know that paint can change the feel and mood of their home, how colour it is downright magical and can transform our surroundings and change our lives. Well there it was, as plain as the paint on my face.
– Paint A Lifestyle.

I love colour. I find that colour transforms a space like nothing else.  The colour of fabrics, paint and the direction of the sun, all affect how you feel about a room.  I had a client say  “I saved their marriage!”  They had been fighting over the colours in their home and it was becoming serious!   This, is why I am passionate about colour!

I started my love affair with colour when I fell in love with theatre in public school.  I began to create sets and play with lighting.  I went to Your University to study Theatre Set Design and through the 4 year process I realized that colour effects us in ways we have yet to comprehend. I even had a Design Professor tell me that I would make a great Interior Designer one day…well I guess she planted a seed and today, although I am not a “Interior Designer” I do design and create  spaces using paint and decorative painting applications.

This journey continued when I began to create window displays under the company name – Paint By Design, for a downtown shopping centre, this progressed into painting the backdrop because I couldn’t do anything about the “Merchandise” that was going in the window so the some of the eye catching WOW had to come from lighting ( 3 years of university – check) and the backdrop ( 4 years of painting – check, check) – this helped pay off my university loan and feed my need to paint.

I worked for a few painting companies where I leaned wonderful skills  both painting and business skills alike. What to do, and sometimes more importantly, what NOT to do.  I wanted more so,  I would call up manufactures of decorative paint products and took their courses and later taught a few.

Paint A Lifestyle came into being when Carolyn Trott and I partnered up and began painting homes – for money – WOW – this was amazing!  People actually paid us to create beautiful finishes.  This wasn’t work this was fun!  I was blessed, great friends and fun creative work.

I love painting. Creating custom paint finishes for clients has been my driving passion for years and  I am grateful I found what I love.

As a Wife, Mom of two amazing girls and the Principle artist of Paint A Lifestyle  I understand that life is hectic.  I understand that I can’t be everything all the time, and shouldn’t have to be.  So I surround myself with talented amazing people, I try not to micro manage and when I get stresses I eat chocolate…its a vice.

I do have to give a great deal of credit to my Husband and my organized  better half!  We moved in together and a week later I lost my job. It was a good thing – made me strong and tested our relationship, he loves the creativity that surrounds his life like whirl wind and has supported me in my crazy painting adventure, making Paint A Lifestyle work.  He’s my peanut butter and I am his chocolate..

Love
Barbara

This blog is sponsored by Fraktals and Reece’s Peanut butter cups.

Just joking…but if you excutives are out there I wouldn’t mind……

Tagged as: Barbara Rocha, Faux Finishes & Decorative Painting