Instructors   Caridad Schaeffer - Instructor A native of New Jersey transplanted to South Florida, Caridad has always had an interest in the arts following in her father’s footsteps. Caridad enrolled in art classes at Florida Atlantic University and started out “running” in the decorative finishing industry. With over 10 years in her successful commercial and residential decorative finishing company, Luxury Finishes, Inc., Caridad now joins Faux Effects International’s worldwide headquarters in Vero Beach, FL and FE Dallas as corporate instructor; “People skills, color and design are my strong points and my focus everywhere I go” says Schaeffer. “What better way to put all these elements to work than to help and instruct others in the field?” She has had a long affiliation with FEI featuring instruction, strong product knowledge and distribution. Field experience and wide range of projects nationwide provide her students unlimited value. Caridad’s work has been featured in Faux Effects World Magazine and other local publications. Lauren Childs - Instructor With an early interest and talent in art, Lauren Childs began studying life drawing at Texas Christian University in her hometown of Fort Worth, TX at the young age of 12. After winning several awards and competitions throughout her teens, she attended Northwestern University in Chicago and finished her BA in Art History with a minor in Painting at the University of Texas at Arlington. As a docent at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Lauren toured exhibitions, while also exhibiting and selling her own artwork in solo and group exhibitions. She has drafted, installed and executed proposals for public art projects and charitable functions. Lauren, as owner, established Sandscapes, LLC in 2004. Her company and their work has been featured in several publications, including Faux Effects World Magazine, the book 1001 Ideas for Color & Paint, and several other publications. Trisha Collins - Instructor After over a decade as a visual arts designer, Trisha created Visual Concepts Studio in 1988. Shortly after, Trisha discovered Faux Effects, which gave her an extraordinary edge and new level of finishes. After taking multiple classes at Faux Effects, Raymond Sandor, President of Faux Effects, asked if she would be interested in becoming his teaching assistant. Eventually, Trisha became the first corporate instructor to teach these incredible products. Since then, Trisha has sparked excitement and built confidence in students who have the desire and talent to succeed in this lucrative industry. A blend of outstanding communications skills, natural artistic ability, outgoing personality and love of teaching; make her a sought after instructor. Her relaxed teaching style incorporates a comprehensive hands-on approach to insure each student understands the various possibilities of the technique being taught. Trisha’s “show & tell” teaching ignites the senses and provides an avenue for individual style and creativity. An exchange of ideas and experience is also encouraged among the students to gain knowledge from each other as well as this seasoned instructor. As founder and president of Artisans International Inc., Trisha designs and produces extraordinary painted finishes for both exclusive residential clientele and well-known commercial spaces. She has worked in tandem with influential interior designers, art directors and architects and her reputation for producing fine designer finishes on walls, on floors, furniture, architectural elements and objects d'art are sought throughout the country. Discriminating clients are captivated by her creative ability to visualize and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Trisha’s talent and skill balanced with her easy going temperament personify the qualities responsible for the continued success of Artisans International, Inc. A resident of Vero Beach, FL since 1999, she is happy to be back teaching at Faux Effects International. David McKendry - Guest Instructor Historical preservation work brought to focus what was to be a successful career in the Decorative Painting industry for David. These simple techniques used seventeen years ago in restoring a historical land mark in downtown Denver, started a journey and quest in becoming a craftsmen and master in his field. Decorative Painting has been David’s passion for over twenty years. With a BSBA degree from the University of Denver in Business Marketing and Fine Art, David has also trained under some of the world’s most renowned artisans in the trade. Coupled with years of experience in scenic art for the theater, as well as historical preservation work in the Denver area, David offers a high degree of craftsmanship training. David has garnered national and international awards for his unique style, including “Best Tromp L’Oeil Artist” in 2006 and was selected as one of only 63 international artists to receive the “Masters in Decorative Finishing” award in 2007. Featured in several magazine publications like Faux Effects World, Colorado Homes and Lifestyles and the Faux Finisher, David’s style, keen insights and ability to develop edgy and innovative finishes has propelled him onto the national stage as a sought after Master Instructor.   Mike Krawiec - Guest Instructor Mike Krawiec has spent a lifetime perfecting his craft and sharing his expertise with students. In his role as Specialty Instructor for the Chicago Area Apprentice Training Committee, Mike has been creating amazing faux finishes, woodgraining, and marbleizing for over 10 years. Prior to becoming an instructor Mike spent for 15 years as a Journeyman painter for one of Chicago largest painting contractors. He has a vast knowledge of the entire painting trade. His artisanship, featured in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart Dream Homes, has been the cover feature in Faux Effects World Magazine. Working in high profile settings with the top echelon of Chicago designers, Mike not only knows the skill level required to succeed but also how to work with discriminating clientele. Nicola Vigini - Guest Instructor Born and raised in Rome, Nicola Vigini has become a well respected decorative artist in the United States. During high school, he attended the specialized Liceo Artistitico which focuses on perspective, architectural rendering, still life and figure drawing, and sculpture. "From about the age of five, I was always drawing and painting things and I was good at it. My Father was an architect and he encouraged me at every opportunity." He continued his studies at the University of Rome in Art-History and Philosophy and completed internships in restoration in Assisi and in other historical locations in Umbria. Nicola transferred to the University of Paris and began his career in decorative painting at the Institute Superieure de Peintre Decorative in Paris where he studied under two of the most respected names in the industry, Yannick Guegan and Christian Martincourt. Randy Ingram and Brian Townsend - Guest Instructors   Randy studied at Rutgers University and duCret School of Fine Art, while Brian studied at Kean College, duCret School of Fine Art, and the National Academy of Design. Over the past two decades, Brian’s skilled hand has resulted in his portraits and still life paintings becoming prized gallery collectables. In addition to collaborating with Brian on large scale oil paintings, Randy has created numerous prosperous companies including Classical Art Studios, Fauxtastic Wall Finishes, and All American Painting Pros. Their work has been procured nationally in private and corporate collections including: Nasso Movie Studios, New York, NY; Baltusrol Golf Course, Springfield, NJ; Carrier Foundation, Belle Mead, NJ; Church of Holy Comforter, Vienna, VA; Century Sports, Lakewood, NJ; Stage Left, New Brunswick, NJ; New Brunswick Municipal Building, New Brunswick, NJ; Saint Agnes Church, Highlands, NJ; Watermark Properties, Vero Beach, FL; Cheney Brothers Transport, Jupiter, FL; Eagle Oaks Golf Course, Farmingdale, NJ; Design Source, Holmdel, NJ; Atlantic City Art Center, Atlantic City, NJ; Elite Home Sculpting, Freehold, NJ; M.C.C. Corporation, Murray Hill, NJ, and the Church of the Atonement, Chicago, IL. Jacek Prowinski - Guest Instructor Jacek Prowinski has a teaching degree and is a graduate of a professional painting school. Owner of Splendour Studios in Westmont, Illinois, with twenty years experience in decorative painting, Jacek works closely with his crew of highly-skilled, experienced artisans to ensure every project will be executed to the highest standards. A renowned instructor of painting technique and restoration, Jacek has been invited to teach workshops throughout the United States in all aspects of faux painting, restoration and related decorative arts. He has a strong personal commitment to sharing his expertise in timeless and cutting-edge decorative finishes with students and fellow professionals. Jacek has been profiled in several publications including, The Faux Finisher, Paint Pro Magazine, Faux Effects World, PWC Magazine, Artistic Stenciler, and Profiles in Faux Finishing and was featured on HGTV’s New Spaces. He is member of Salon, an exclusive international consortium of highly skilled decorative artists whose mission is to share techniques, mediums and ideas in the continued pursuit of excellence. He is also an active member and teacher of the International Decorative Artisans League.