Kitchen Nighmares with Gordon Ramsey by FOX – 04/11/2010
In this episode Gordon visits Flemming’s trying to revive this Danish restaurant in Miami, Florida. We got the nod to participate in this project and quickly flew down to help out. Once there the full scope of the job we were to do was apparent and we dove right in. A full night of painting outside came to a screeching hault after an unexpected storm rolled in threatening to ruin the work we already started. After we scurried inside with all we had started we were able to move on to the interior walls. As the hours rolled by and sunset was around the corner we worked fast and hard to finish up the interior walls of the NEW Flemming’s restaurant.
Tabitha’s Salon Takeover by Bravo – 09/08/2010
In this episode, we were brought in for a head to toe makeover with paint. Although there were many other things going on with the art direction I had my hands full; thankfully I had Mike there to assist me. Mike dug into the walls as I worked on the signage that was just brought in the door earlier, which was raw wood in need of some color. There were also these very cool leave designs that we painted throughout the salon. After a long nights worth of work we headed back to Connecticut. I do love Boston!
Painting Judge Judy Sheinland's House in Greenwich, CT
In April of 2008, I had the opportunity to work in a new home owned by TV celebrity Judy Sheindlin (“Judge Judy”). The home was nearing completion, and we had 30 days to finish the faux work in this 20,000 square foot home. This was a lot of square footage in a short period of time and I needed to make sure I had a crew that could live up to this. Mike Sundell, my foreman, was more than willing to take on this enormous job, but we knew we needed the help of other professional artists. Local artist Holly Whiting was on board with the project, and through our industry site www.fauxforum.com I brought in artists from other areas to help us finish the job by our deadline. We were joined by Ryan Sentz from Maryland who would paint a 12 story building in NYC a few years later with me, Craig Walsh from Delaware, Tania Seabock from California, and Sherry Sparks, also from California. We lived in hotel rooms for weeks at a time, worked 12 and 13 hour days, and still managed to have a good time. These Forum members, fellow artists and friends, all gave 110% and completed the job with no real hitch.
From wood graining to decorative plaster work to a plethora of finishes, we had a home run on our hands. One of the perks of working on this project was working with father and daughter design team Martin Kuckly and Associates. This top notch design firm created, in my own opinion, one of the nicest homes I have ever seen. Their style was impeccable and they were really wonderful to work with.
Around two weeks into the project, the homeowner herself arrived and stayed for the duration of our work. It was so nice to meet Mrs. Sheinland in person. You see so much of her on TV that it creates a preconceived notion of who she is. In person, she was the epitome of class; a really nice person, along with her husband. One of the most amazing parts of the whole experience was watching builder Mark Mariano and his crew work. I have never seen a more efficient and hard working group of individuals. Mark is a tough man who gets things done! At the end of the day the decorator and client were thrilled with our work, and we all came away from the job with a new respect for each other, new skills, and stronger friendship.
Junior League of Hartford
Every three years the Junior League of Hartford (JLH) takes over a unique home or estate in the greater Hartford area, selects regional designers to makeover the interior spaces and surrounding grounds, and sells tickets to the public for viewing of the completed house. I have supported this for most of my career and donated work to 3 house and 5 designers. Here is one of my favorite paintings done for designer, Cynthia Hernandez.
The JLH has held 12 Decorator Show Houses over a 30-year span, and has raised more than $1.25 million for its programs and projects.
The Decorator Show House is the JLH’s largest event-based fundraiser. All proceeds support our mission of “promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.”
Go Pink Project in Middletown, CT
Go Pink Project in Middletown, CT is now in its 5th year, the goPINK Project supports women facing breast cancer in our community. During the month of October, salons, businesses and schools come together to raise funds for Middlesex Hospital’s Cancer Center. Donations cover the costs of integrative medicine therapy for patients, a complement to conventional treatment that focuses on the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Patients choose from yoga, Reiki, massage, reflexology, meditation and more.
Founded in 2010 by the owners of EG Salon in Middletown, CT, the project has grown to over 30 participating salons, businesses and schools. Learn how you can participate by clicking HERE.
Frederick Brewster Elementary School Painting of Ralphie
About The Painting of Ralphie
Last year I was contacted about doing a painting for an elementary school. The staff called and told me of a boy named Ralphie who passed away too young, and that they wanted to create something special for the family to honor their son. This touched me hard being that I am a father of three. This was a project that I was eager to create and one that I would push off for months. Looking back I realize that it wasn’t my schedule getting in the way to complete this painting it was me. I needed this painting to be something amazing for this family who had to go thru something I could not even begin to imagine. Below is the painting, “Ralphie”.
I was asked a few years ago from a fellow artist if i could do a painting for a charity that she has organized. When I asked her about the charity and her involvement I was overwhelmed and without a doubt I knew I was participating in this. Below is a blurb from this friend and a link to the site she started to support this cause. Please take the time to click on the link and explore the site. “Through The Canvas Peace Project artists learn about what women in South Sudan have endured for decades. The hope is that through the power of art we can educate the public about the ongoing conflicts in the region and provide opportunity for many of these women.”
– Cynthia Davis, Artist
The M.J. Petretto Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2009 as part of Retirement Planning Group’s commitment to give back time, talent and money to support the efforts of Connecticut not-for-profits. The Foundation’s mission is to fund organizations that support education health, and quality of life to build stronger Connecticut communities. The Foundation was also inspired by a 2008 automobile accident that nearly claimed the life of M.J.’s nephew, Jesse. He suffered a spinal cord injury that changed his life,and hers, forever. Each year The MJ Petretto Foundation Golf Classic will help fund Gaylord Hospital’s Spinal Cord Injury Program and other non-profit Connecticut Organizations. In 2011, they added Parkinson’s Disease Research and Programs to their list of charities and in 2013, they donated to Make A Wish® Connecticut. This year they are pleased to announce the addition of Shoreline Arts Alliance.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Theater Kids
Rosie’s Theater Kids
I recently had the honor to paint a live painting at the annual event to raise money for Rosie O’donnell’s charity Rosie’s Theater Kids . The event was held at the Marriott Marquis on Broadway in Manhattan and honored Cyndi Lauper and Jordan Roth so it seemed appropriate to have the paintings theme represent the honorees in some small way. The goal of the evening for me was to create this painting during the cocktail hour from 6:30-7:30 ( I cheated and started at 5:30 but don’t tell anyone). After the cocktail hour everyone headed to the 6th floor for entertainment followed by the auction and then dinner. I was asked to bring my painting backstage and present it to Rosie on stage (which was amazing) and she proceeded to auction it off. As an artist it is always a bit weird to have your piece auctioned off. It is almost like standing in front of a crowd naked. I told myself prior to the evening that I was fine with whatever it went for as it was for a great cause. Well I definitely got more than I bargained for when the painting went for $15,000.00. Rosie, as cool as she is turned to me and asked if I can do another one. And of course like there is any other answer I replied, “yes!” Well she said that she would purchase the other painting bringing the tally to $30k! An incredible end to an amazing evening for sure. We enjoyed seeing so many people come out for a truly great cause, the standup from Rosie was hilarious and watching the Kids who we were there to support was my favorite part. They all were so talented it was like we were at a Broadway show. If you are interested in donating to RTK please click this link HERE.
