Tammy Goben is a wife, mother, grandmother and artist. She is one of six Americans to take the entire Decorative Painter's Course with Master Artisan Michel Nadai in the South of France. She has studied with some of the most prestigious schools in the United States in the high end decorative finishes industry and loves learning new and exciting ways to paint and change people's lives by changing their spaces. Thus, her company name of Transforming Spaces, LLC.
Her expertise includes aged and distressing techniques for cabinets, moldings, furniture, high end decorative wall finishes, floor cloths, wood-graining, marbling, trompe l'oeil, ornamentation, cement finishes, panoramic scenes and murals.
Ann Hicks recently said about her in the latest Talk Art Magazine, "Goben has learned how to wield her brushes and palette to invoke wood, marble, architectural settings, objects and enchanting scenes - where there are none . . . to become a practitioner of sleight-of-hand art making."
Tammy is running for the board of IDAL because she believes in IDAL and what it is doing and where it is going. She loves the diversity of each of the members and that everyone has a voice with what they are particularly interested in. To be a part of the board of such a wonderful organization and to be of service to its members would be a joy in her life. She is committed to this organization and to the growth of it on all levels from the individuals doing this in their homes, to the professionals around the world.
Janie Gulick
Janie has been happily married to Don since 1993. When not busy with my faux finishing business, FauxBelle of Gulick Designs, I travel and volunteer, working with United Way and Chamber of Commerce and sitting on boards of Goodwill and the Interiors Department at Chattahoochee Technical College.
My one goal in life has been to be an artist. Professional art lessons started at age nine. I earned two college degrees in Graphic Design and Fine Arts which I translated to my first business, Upfront Designs, designing, building and installing window displays for retail stores. My work history includes Creative Touches (owner), trade show booth design and installation; Visual Manager for Uptons and Macy’s department stores, visual displays throughout the store; Circulation Marketing Manager at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; and my current enterprise, FauxBelle of Gulick Designs, established 2001.
I have been a member of IDAL since 2002 and I am a member of The Atrium Online chapter. I’ve attended two conventions and earned my CSA (Certified Stenciling Artisan) in 2009. I would love to become more involved with the organization. I bring a willingness to work hard, the ability to work with people, the capacity to adjust to the economic times AND changing decorative tastes as well as a love of the art community we are all involved in.
As the old saying goes…you reap what you sow. I believe to reap the rewards of being of a member of IDAL, I need to become more involved. It isn’t enough to pay the dues, read Artisphere and attend Convention. As a member of the board I could use my past experiences to keep IDAL a vital and relevant organization in today’s ever changing society.
Anthony Pinkston
Anthony Pinkston's career in the decorative arts began in 2002 after leaving the family business and forming Faux Haus Decorative Surface. Over the first several years, Anthony took Faux Haus through a series of different business models, at times employing as many as five full time employees and focusing on larger scale production projects. In 2008, Anthony decided to change the direction of the business and focus on more intricate and elaborate commissions and changed the name of the company to Ornamentum (www.ornamentumonline.com).
In 2009, Anthony threw his hat into the teaching arena, instructing for a Faux Effects Studio and hosting a series of non product specific classes around the country. 2009 also witnessed the launch of Methodfinishing.com, an online learning site Anthony co-created and operates with partner Jason Lucus. Method offers professional instruction, affordable to all, through high resolution video streams. 2010 will see the continued growth and success of all three ventures as well as a continued presence and desire to help in the evolution of the decorative arts industry.
If elected to the IDAL board of directors, Anthony's goal for the coming three years would be a refined marketing strategy geared to attracting new industry and manufacturer partnerships resulting in a considerable increase in membership and, in turn, membership benefits.
Nena Sexton
I started my finishing career by learning from the masters, taking classes throughout the nation and working with local artists to pick up lessons of the trade. After several years of training, I had the opportunity to work with some of the top interior designers in Houston. I have had many projects published and during 2009, I had two out of three submitted projects win ASID awards.
For the last six years I have run my own decorative finishing company, Nena’s Creative Finishes (NCF), starting out as a home based business; within a few years the business doubled in size. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to open a teaching studio. I run a 2000 square foot facility offering classes in decorative finishes and product distribution. I am fortunate that even in this economy my sales have increased each year. I manage all aspects of the business as the artist, instructor, project coordinator and studio manager.
Being a member of IDAL is very important to me as it helps me further my knowledge in areas such as product education, with classes at convention and in my local chapter. I use IDAL’s insurance program at an affordable price, allowing me the ability to work on larger projects with my designers. Being a part of IDAL gives me credibility with designers and clients.
I would like to see membership increase not only within chapters but also nationally. I would also like to see an increase in attendance at convention. To be able to be successful in running your own business, I believe it takes commitment, passion and the ability to adapt and manage. These are a few of my characteristics and I think these are some of my talents that would be an asset to IDAL.
Barbara Skivington
Barb Skivington is the owner and Creative Director of the Faux Works instructional studio, founded in 1995. She teaches a wide spectrum of decorative finishes for walls, cabinets and furniture.
Barb has spent much of her life pursuing her passion for artistic creations, beginning at the age of 12 when she won a prestigious art award. She began her career in decorative finishing as a self-taught artist, thanks to the purchase of an 1837 Greek Revival farmhouse. Inspired by an issue of House Beautiful with Martha Stewart stenciling a floor of her farmhouse on the cover, she began working as a decorative finisher.
About this time, Barb was introduced to Faux Effects™, the line she now represents. Barb re-evaluated her decorative finishing business and turned Faux Works into a full time teaching studio. She has trained in the United States and Europe with some of the top decorative painters.
In 2001, Barb developed the FauxCase concept — the transformation of a suburban house through the creative use of paints, plasters and stencils. In 2006, Barb partnered with Melanie Royals to expand FauxCase into The Art of Living, a program designed to nurture creative lifestyles and livelihoods, in the Brandywine area of Pennsylvania. Barb’s work has appeared in many books, magazines and trade publications.
If elected to the Board, Barb would like to aid IDAL in increasing its membership and attendance at the annual convention by reaching out to new members. She feels that her 25+ years in the industry, as well as her strong organizational and communication skills, can help to achieve this goal. As part of a network of decorative finishing educators, Barb would also like to to further promote IDAL and its benefits to members.
Sheila Sobczyk
My name is Sheila Sobczyk. I am not a painter. I am, however, a member of IDAL and have attended conventions since the early 2000’s. I am a retired Federal employee with 37 years of experience working in Human Resources and technology. I have also worked for 20 years with another non-profit organization, serving on both the board and the convention leadership team the entire 20 years.
I have attended seven IDAL conventions, the first three to visit and see what IDAL was about, and the last four I have worked as the Volunteer Chairperson. The Volunteer Chairperson is probably the best position with IDAL. This individual works with the entire membership and the board filling the volunteer slots and the monitor opportunities.
As a board member, I bring a host of skills I believe are necessary including attention to detail, hard work, follow-through, commitment to the organization, leadership skills, ability to listen, facilitation experience, willingness to help the organization to succeed and grow, and a very outgoing personality. I love working with the IDAL organization. I believe the convention is a very necessary event that helps experienced artists grow, spawns new artists, provides much needed marketing for many industry vendors, and provides a social gathering where artists enjoy just being with artists. It truly is a wonderful privilege to watch the friendships and skill sharing in such a competitive industry.
I am proud to be associated with this organization.
