Wilson Decorative Solutions

• What got you started in this field?

  • I’ve studied art my whole life. Some key turning points set me up to have the skills, knowledge and network to start my own business in decorative painting with a focus on historical restoration.

• What do you want visitors to know about you and your team?

  • Historical restoration requires a variety of skill sets that can be learned. I often battle the ”artist” stereotype and work to project a professional, rational, efficient and reliable business practice even going so far as “delighting my customers”. I have a masters in the history of art and restoring the glory of past artisans is an honor.

Your Part in the Preservation of Paine Castle

• What are you most proud of about your contributions for Paine Castle?

  • I look at this type of restoration as a “healing” process. Much of the painted decoration still existed though dirty, worn and there was enough “lost” that it was an eyesore and painful to view. Cleaning the surface, determining the colors to match and reapplying unifies the decoration once again and in my mind heals it visually. There’s a tipping point moment when it all comes together and the energy we receive from viewing it shifts for the better, it’s magical.

• What was the biggest challenge of this project?

  • Thankfully, there weren’t too many challenges. It was straight forward.

• What could be the next step for your team if we secured funding?

  • Each of the rooms with painted decoration that’s worn or peeling will benefit from some restoration.  There are different levels of commitment regarding cost and time.  It is surprising how far some TLC goes in “healing” the experience of these spaces.

Contact Information

Website

About Lori

Lori Wilson is the owner of Wilson Decorative Solutions. She assists the professional decorative painting community with color and paint technical assistance, technique development, teaches and works as a painting crew member around the US and abroad.

After completing a BA in both Studio Art and History of Art from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, living and studying in Europe for over two years and earning an MA in the History of Art from the Victoria University of Manchester, Manchester, England, she completed 21 years of service for the leading manufacturer of acrylic paint for artists, Golden Artist Colors, Inc.

At Golden, she developed new products, provided technical support, developed painting techniques and conducted workshops for professional artists, decorative painters and beginners in both painting categories. Additionally, she was introduced to and continues to participate in the Color Marketing Group international conference. At Golden, she developed annual trend/color/design programs, presented the lecture “Modern Materials and Tradition: Decorative Painting in the 21st Century” at the 2008 International Architectural Paint Research Conference held at Columbia University, NYC and is a current participant of the International Salon, a peer reviewed group of international decorative painters holding annual global conferences.

lori@loriwilsonartist.com