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I met Cathie Lavin Stotesbery several years ago and we became instant friends.

We have shared a lot together through all the good, bad and ugly. lolol

 

Here is Cathie's Inspirational Forks in the Road. 

 

I have been blessed to do what I love & make a living doing it! I love helping my clients “Re-Imagine” & breathe new life into their living spaces & furniture.

 

My journey of creativity started in kindergarten when my beloved teacher, Miss Tone, (who was an inspiration herself in creativity, ALWAYS dressed in purple & multi-patterned clothing!) Miss Tone suggested to my Mom that she should encourage me in my art. (I always colored outside of the lines).

 

Well into high school, ART was by far my favorite subject. My high school art teacher was also instrumental in developing me as an artist and encouraged me to think about an art school.

 

The first fork in the road! Of course, being the type of teenager that was not so motivated in looking into college, became a young Mom of 17. I married my high school sweetheart (we met in art class) and raised a family of 4 children. All the while I just knew SOMEDAY I was going to pick up my art again! Well, I did!

 

Squeezing in painting classes here & there in between raising 4 kids I developed my love & passion for watercolor.

I was on the verge of working on my portfolio for art galleries when I encountered a detour. This fork in the road led me to paint a bathroom for one of our landscape customers. She wanted the proverbial Tuscan grapes that were so popular in the late 90ʼs, as well as a Faux finish & a skyscape. I was amazed that I got paid for doing something that I loved & started looking into more classes to enhance my skills. That’s, when I started, my business “Faux Finesse “. I had the privilege of painting murals, wall & ceiling finishes in homes, businesses & medical offices in Southern California.

 

Fast forward 18 years with a major fork in the road brought about a move across the country & starting over again.  This is when "Imagine This" Decorative Painting blossomed ... and then another fork in the road shortly after!

 

After painting furniture pieces for several of my clients MY LITTLE DREAM SHOP "ReImagined" was created.  With having my own shop, I decided to teach the DIY'ers in my area and carry a paint line as well.

 

Then one of the largest forks in the road...I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

With that, I decided to let the shop go and downsize to an artisan mall, so I could sell my furniture pieces, small items, and possibly still teach and continue to do what I love. 

 

Months down the road, low and behold Miss Lillian's NO-WAX Chock Paint found its way into my life, onto my furniture makeovers, commissioned jobs and into the DIY classes I teach. What a blessing to say the least. 

 

I still do decorative wall, ceiling finishes, commissioned furniture pieces and occasionally business signs.

 

There are always new surfaces popping up along with new opportunities. With all of that, I have combined my business names to now be

"ReImagined Surfaces"

because that pretty much sums up what I do. 

My motto when I started out 18 years ago was,

"No White Walls"

is now coined

"ReImagine One Surface at a Time". 

Who knows what new fork in the road lies ahead? 

 

If you are in the area of Mt. Home Arkansas look her up and send her a message on her Facebook page.  Need some furniture redone, a mural painted or a new wall finish. Her new studio for her classes is a work in progress and coming soon.

Below is some of Cathie's work. She amazed me everytime.

Little Bit of History with a lot of NO-WAX Color.

 

Miss Lillian’s NO-WAX Chock Paint was started back in 2012 by Marilyn Mitchell Bean.  For several years Marilyn had been making her own paint for personal. Of course, you know what happens next. Friends, neighbors, and family all began wanting to use her paint.

Marilyn with 40 something years of painting experience had a vision of creating a paint you never had to wax. From that vision and a shop owner at “You Never Know” wanting to purchase and retail Marilyn’s Paint, Miss Lillian’s NO-WAX Chock Paint became a reality.

After many years in the faux finishing industry, I searched for the perfect product to teach the DIY’ers. Actually, I didn’t find Miss Lillian’s but my sweet friend Sue, the other Chatty Chick, found a shop in Florida that carried her product. Sue called me and said I might want to check it out, AND the rest is history.

 I have to say that above and beyond her fabulous product LINE which we call “ONE STOP SHOP” one of the strongest attributes is Marilyn’s commitment to her retailers and continuous development of new products.

 

Miss Lillian’s NO-WAX Chock paint is a magical product created specifically to restore lost beauty to old furniture, create a vintage look and even transform that new furniture into the look YOU want. 

The 140 plus colors, makes the most wonderful furniture Paint! It is delicately textured; Chock Full of Colorful Goodness!

Marilyn's full line of products are, NO-WAX Chock Paint, Metallic Paint, Metallic Glazes Precious Gems, Hippy Daze Glaze, Gel Stains, Antiquing Glazes, Embellishing Butters, Wood Stains, Fresh Drawers, Gilding Jewels, Patina Kits, Texture Magic, several different Topcoat’s, Southern Rust, 

The one product that everyone finds that they just can’t be without is Miss Lillian’s ‘Uncle Jeff’s Original Swamp Mud'™

Swamp Mud ™ is specifically designed for non-porous surfaces such as laminate, metal, glass etc.

If you are looking to become a Miss Lillian's NO-WAX Chock Paint retailer, you won’t have to look any further. They are currently accepting New Retailer applications…just go to

and fill out an application.

You will be glad you did. 

I know I am more than happy!

 

Inspiration is a word, thing, feeling that can really be expressed in so many ways because if we take the time it is all around us. 

What about furniture? Yes, even furniture. 

I see inspiration every day within the retailer's group of Miss Lillian's NO-WAX Chock Paint. Each and every one of them is so talented and hope to share a little bit about them in the days to come. 

This post on Kelly's page caught my eye and loved what she shared. You can read it here.

Meet Kelly and her daughter Olivia of Willow Ridge Vintage located in the Arts & Antiques Marketplace in historic Fairmont, West Virginia. 

Here is her story. 

Our little business “Willow Ridge Vintage” was started as a mother/daughter collaboration in 2014. I am Kelly and my daughter is Olivia… We both love classic, timeless furniture!  We also love color, designing and creating.  So we combine the two to create a finish for each piece of furniture that compliments its originality and feel.  We tend to use period appropriate colors and classic finishes – not saying we don’t use pops of color at times, it just depends on the item.     I love a glazed finish, Olivia tends to use clean, classic finishes - she is also a whiz with milk paint to get that cute chippy finish!

I work as a financial analyst full time – for 28+ years.  Around 2012, I was seriously burned out at work.  I needed a creative outlet...  Just so happens,  I was visiting a good friend and she had painted all the furniture in her family room – it looked amazing!  But her shoulder was hurting from all the waxing.   She explained the process of chalk painting and I was hooked on most of it – except the waxing.  I thought I can do this but after working all day, not sure that waxing is for me. 

Lo and behold, I found Miss Lillian’s No-Wax Chock paint – WOW, a game changer for me!    A local stockiest of Miss Lillian’s guided me on the correct steps – so easy, even a financial person like me could do it.   My first Miss Lillian’s purchase:   32 oz. Mayan Turquoise – needless to say, I had lots of pieces (mirrors, end tables, candle holders, trunks) painted turquoise; the paint goes a long, long way!  haha   

I couldn’t stop painting  - I learned so much about chalk paint and myself  … I learned that most painting oops are fixable but cheap furniture is not.   I learned that I needed “me time” more than I thought I did.  I learned that my spouse doesn’t have the same excitement for painting as I do.  I learned that that’s ok – I gave myself permission to do what I love.   He is adjusting!

Fast forward 2 years…

I now use and sell Miss Lillian’s products exclusively – WHY?   #1 reason – Customer Service!   Marilyn Bean is the owner of Miss Lillian’s.  She has been there for me when I had product questions, color choices or just needed an ear.   She is the heartbeat of Miss Lillian’s paint.    Miss Lillian’s brand has a strong sense of commitment to its stockists.     Many, many how-to videos are online (Miss Lillian’s Furniture University).   I view them daily!

What is my inspiration?  That’s a very good question.  So many things – color, furniture lines, seeing the finished product, pleasing my customers, meeting new customers, sharing ideas.  

My biggest influence?    My mother and my daughter. 

My mom has always been and continues to be a powerful positive influence.  She has taught me that our attitude carries us through life – life is easier with a positive attitude.  She also smiles  ALL THE TIME – her inner light comes through that smile.  My daughter – she is just a joy.   She is creative, smart, just seems so aware of life around her and influences me to be the best I can be.

 

Hope you stop by her Facebook page, give her a like, follow and say hello. 

If you are in the area be sure and stop in to say hello or if you are in need of someone to give you a quality finish message her through her facebook page.