Monthly Archive for December, 2007

Actually Joel is a Real friend, not a “Faux” friend (as this post’s title states in an attempt to be clever!). He makes his living as an expert in faux finishes. A TV home improvement show “guest expert”, Joel is a self-taught craftsman, and has his own business, DaVinci Painting, just outside Spokane, Washington.

(Joel, Annie, and kids, Jess and Brogan)

Joel and I have been friends for a long time. We met at Portland Community College back in the early ’80s, and shared an apartment while we were in the Commercial Art program. We lost contact for several years, but got re-connected last year. It has been a real joy. It has been especially neat to see how he has kept his faith in God strong, his family intact, and he has kept his same sense of humor. He has always been a very creative guy, so he was kind of frustrated that he didn’t get into a design or art-related job after getting his Commercial Art degree. He worked for many years in paper product sales, and then in waste management.

A few years ago he had a terrible accident on his 4-wheeler—one that broke him up pretty badly, and nearly killed him. One thing the accident did was force him to rethink his career path, and it was a turning point in his life. He turned to painting, and specialized glazing and plaster techniques—all of which he has developed himself.

I visited him last year, and actually got to visit a job site of his—a 15,000-square-foot home (mansion) on the shore of Liberty Lake. It was an incredible place! Joel had just been hired to paint a mural of a sky scene on the oval ceiling of the master bedroom (which, if I remember right was 1600 square feet, itself!). He was also going to paint a marble texture on the walls of the entire master suite. Earlier these clients had hired him to do a work of art on the walls of their front entry.

He is staying busy, and his reputation is spreading. People see these customized walls and ceilings and they must have one of their own! He has develped a “persona”—a personal style (jeans, sandals and long hair) to intentionally appear a little eccentric—sort of like a hippie artist. It really works for him… In kind of an odd way it inspires confidence in people! I smile. I dont have that kind of boldness in me, but it’s cool to see him being himself.

Below is a bathroom showing the faux marble painting he does.

This next picture is of a kitchen ceiling. Done in plaster, it has special texturing and glazing, to look like copper sheets (complete with seams and rivets!).

Here is a mural of a beach scene painted behind a Jacuzzi.

Awesome work, Joel—I’m really impressed! Way to follow your dream, and use your God-given talents!