Emma Brown Traditional Painter Q&A
I asked Emma Brown Traditional Painter, a few questions in order to provide some background to how she arrived at this point in her career.
What part of the UK do you cover for Traditional Painter?
Most of Kent – from Bexley down through Dartford to Dover, from Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks over to Gillingham!
At what age did you first wield a paint brush for money? And for how much?
Officially for a local kitchen company, unofficially for my father!
Can you briefly outline your formal training?
An art degree certainly trained my eye for creativity and attention to detail, holiday work in my dad’s workshop got me used to using brushes and tools from a young age, Fired Earth honed my client relationship skills.
Who do you consider your “mentor” in your early years, and why? (Name names!)
My dad
What brand paint were you predominantly using on woodwork when you started out?
Farrow & Ball
What was the most unpleasant decorating job you ever did? (Don’t name names!)
The outside of a pub at the end of December!!! Promised myself I would only do internal jobs, and predominantly in lovely warm kitchens!
Tell us briefly about a job that you think encapsulates your craft skills?
I think most of my jobs do, but my current project is a great example, it had been previously painted rather badly so alot of prep is required. Doors will need shooting in to refit them. Handle holes need filling and redrilling. The hinges have been painted over and so need replacing. A couple of new drawer boxes are required as well as a new front for the washing machine.
Name one aspect of the decorating trade today that makes you cringe?
Lack of thought, care and attention – painted hinges and bad painting are prime examples!
Name one aspect of decorating that is infinitely better than when you first started out.
Waterbased eggshell is so much better, it is more matt and chalky now, but only a few years ago it was shiny and looked more like plastic.
If a young person said they wanted to be a painter, what would your advice be?
Find a good teacher.
What decorating trend do you hope never makes a comeback?
Badly painted ‘shabby chic‘ furniture!!
Based on your experience, is there a “most popular colour” for hand-painted kitchen cabinets?
It tends to change every five years or so, but currently it is shades of grey.
Is your own home decorated to the nth degree, or is it a case of cobbler’s shoes?
No time for my own house!
Outside of work, what are you working on at the moment?
My own artwork, family history, the garden, going to music festivals, finding new places to explore…
This is the standard of work that Emma carries out for Traditional Painter. If you have a project in mind, contact here, she will be happy to help. More Team TP members are featured here
Please share it on Twitter, Facebook, or print it out for reference. Thanks.
|
|
Please ask a question or leave a comment