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Friday, March 23, 2012

Progress on Painting with Fire Studio

Gosh, it's feels like it's been an eternity since I've visited with you guys.  I'm feeling somewhat mentally deranged; happy, but stressed out as hell!  Three weeks ago, we got the plans approved for improvements to our commercial building in St. Petersburg.  2428 Central Avenue will be a retail space, my studio, and a workshop spot.  The colors for the building all started with this new logo.


You might have noticed that we've changed our name in the logo from Painting with Fire "Artwear" to Painting with Fire "Studio."  We felt it would more aptly described what we're up to these days.  We'll be able to teach in the new space.  Thank God!  I'm not as young as I used to be (Surprise!!!) and being a migrant workshop instructor is incredibly fun ... but incredibly hard physically and mentally.  As you may know, I'm not the most organized person and the mental calisthenics I go through to make sure I haven't forgotten something is ... well ... let's put it this way, if I did that many physical calisthenics I'd be a size 8!
  
You won't be surprised to learn that I'm influenced by Thompson Enamel colors. I simply like Bitter and Flame Orange!  That's what you see in the logo.  I thought the charcoal gray was a softer touch than black.  I barely know the Adobe Illustrator program but somehow managed to get these transparent circles on top of the lettering.  I thought, "Wow! I like it!"  I think it gives the letters a little distressed look. The graphic designer and I were trying to get a logo that would be suitable for the sign for the building, a business card, and any other printed material.  

The graphics you enjoy on the internet when your computer is 10" in front of you, don't always translate well to building signs, which is unfortunate because Lori Plyler designed a beautiful image and I was disappointed not to be able to use it. 

Benjamin Moore has their own name for citrus green and it's called "Wasabi."  Good thing I like this color, because I chose it for a lot of the building.

The entire building will be painted Wasabi with the lighter coral surrounding the windows and door, and the deeper coral color for the shutters and window sills of the upstairs apartments.


Colors of Painting with Fire Studio, St. Petersburg, FL 


The walls in the retail space are accented with deep aqua bas relief molding. Of course, a lot of the wall color in the rooms will be covered with hanging displays and shelves. 

Alicia inspecting the paint job

Yesterday I ran myself ragged picking up paint ... twice! ... going to Lowe's for track lighting ... meeting the sign guy ... and going to Sam's Club to look at shelving units!  But believe me, I'm really just grateful that work has begun.   

In the middle of all this, my daughter, Laura, called to say that she ran out of gas on the Frankland Bridge (the float in her gas tank is not working).  She was among parade floats traveling from Tampa to St. Pete for the Grand Prix this weekend.  She said not a single person drove by, waved, and shouted, "Have a wonderful day!"   At the same time David, my son, was calling to say he locked himself out of his apartment ... plus the hair dresser was running 45 minutes late. 

 

Do you want to know how crazy I am?  I'm even excited over the security lights and the exit signs! 



These are the air conditioners that will help to keep the workshop space comfortable with 11 torches going at the same time!   


And here's one of the images from my book.  I can't help but smile at the colors that find their way into my work ... and now in the building.  Praise God for his many blessings ... 



Thanks for visiting me today.  I'll have more tomorrow when I can get a shot of what Cat Kerr gave me at last weekend's workshop!  You won't want to miss that!  :-) Barbara






14 comments:

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Wow Barbara, it is coming along wonderfully! I can't wait to see it all completed as I am sure you can't wait either. Big hugs to you guys!

Alice said...

I'm so excited for you! And if I'm this excited, I can't imagine the elation you feel as things come together in your new studio.

And, yes, I can understand being excited about security lights and exit signs! They represent one step closer to the studio being D.O.N.E.!

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

Now that you've got your FL studio, I'm really looking forward to planning a time that I can make a trip down from NW FL for one of your classes! Can't wait :)

SummersStudio said...

Those bright colors are perfect for the light and environment of St Pete. It's great to see your progress and I love the transparent dots on the new logo.

Kalaya Steede said...

Nice colors Barbara! Merci for sharing your journey with us. Have a fantastic weekend!

Cynthia@OrnamentalStyle said...

Love the coral and wasabi together. The next time I come visit the space will be done! It's going to be beautiful. The banner is perfect in the window. Like the new name and logo. Sounds like a crazy week but soon you will be in your new home permanently.

I just put up a blog post about last Sunday's workshop.

steufel said...

That is soooo cool - and looks incredibly good:-) Congrats! If only you lived nearer...

The Crazy Creative Corner said...

EEEEEE! How fun and exciting and frazzling and WOW! Yea, God is good and I'm so glad He's blessed you in this way. What a wonderful time in your life.

TesoriTrovati said...

So awesome to see this progress! I hope one day to visit there in person and work side by side with you!
Enjoy the day.
Erin

KayzKreationz said...

Sounds like you're having a ball, even if it is a lot of work. Congrats on getting everything going. Love the new Logo.

In the Light of the Moon said...

I can only imagine what you must be feeling with so much going on.I think I would have jumped up for joy to see that glorious photo in the window....but more than anything, I am really looking forward to seeing where you put the aged doors...oh they are heavenly.
Thank you sweet Barbara for the mention on the item I gave you.I'm glad you like it and I hope you know that it came from the heart. Big hugs friend,Cat

Lori Anderson said...

This is SO exciting for you! I love color on walls and you're going to have such a happy, inviting place!

Courtney Breul said...

Yeah, yeah, yeah! I am so happy for you! It will be amazing.

Kirsi said...

Hello Barbara,
You are so faraway from Finland but it is so good to have internet so I can follow thongs developing. I am taking part also the eCource.
Kirsiluo