With this recent exterior paint job, performed by Arana Craftsman Painters, this lovely Oakland home went from white-and-brown to shades of blue with hints of green, and gray trim. The color palette was selected by our dear colleague (whose services are included in our whole-house-exterior-paint contracts) Cass Morris.
Cass took in homeowners Kelly and Nat’s lovingly-tended gardens and the neutral tones of existing hardscaping and outdoor kitchen, as well as the palettes of neighboring homes, plus the couple’s general appreciation of blue, to devise this bright, lively, and harmonious exterior paint scheme.
Nat admits that they were initially skeptical. “We didn’t think we’d love having our entire house this color, but we do!”
At Arana, we love when bold risks, guided by experts in the world of color and design, yield such gorgeous results.
Body color (stucco): Benjamin Moore Del Mar Blue #704
“A muted blue-green” that can “quietly anchor” a palette, according to the company’s website
Doors, plus thin rails on front fence: Benjamin Moore Vermont Slate #1673
“Both traditional and modern,” a “cool blue” with “a touch of green”
Porch steps, walkway, plus thick rails on front fence: Duxbury Gray #HC 163
“A unique medium gray with a trace of green”
Door frames, window frames, stair railings: Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments #1563
“A gentle mix of blue, green, and gray… that exudes tranquility and inspires quiet meditation”
We take it as a compliment that so many interesting and accomplished folks in the Bay Area choose us to help them beautify and steward their homes. Nat and their partner Kelly brought us in recently to paint the exterior of their Oakland stucco home. At the time, Nat mentioned to us that they were working on a book — and now it is available for pre-order.
In Spirits Distilled: A Guide to the Ingredients Behind a Better Bottle, author/journalist, San Francisco World Spirits competition Judge, award-winning farm-to-table mixologist, and spirits buyer for high end Bay Area liquor purveyors, Nat Harry (re)introduces readers to the fruits, plants, and processes that form the backbone of the world’s most popular and in some cases underappreciated spirits. Their approachable and encyclopedic accounting invites readers to thoughtfully regard everything that goes into a spirit, what makes good, good; including the skilled hands that turn those ingredients into art.
About the timeline for publication, Nat reports, “The hard-copy will be coming out in August. We don’t have anything lined up yet, but I am looking forward to doing a bunch of local events — we will have a book launch party at one of the Future Bars Group locations.”
Future Bars owns 10 bars in the Bay Area and two shops including Cask on College, where Nat once curated the spirits selection. “I also plan to do talks at distilleries, producers, and distributors,” they add. To stay up to date on book-related appearances and mixology class offerings, subscribe to Nat’s newsletter at their website: www.natharry.com.
In their 20+ years in the industry, Nat Harry has traveled the world to hand-pick their recommendations for the world’s most unique and exquisite craft spirits. In Spirits Distilled, they share their knowledge, providing an informative guidebook as beautifully-crafted visually as it is detailed and informative. Pre-orders come with a complimentary (virtual) mixology class with the author: www.westwoodpress.com/our-books/p/spirits-distilled
Beautiful Home in Berkeley, CA on Lincoln Street. We had the pleasure of painting this historical beauty.
The perfect finish is only achieved through perfect preparation. We lovingly restored this stately 1893 Berkeley Victorian, down to every last decorative detail.
A little bit about the beautiful town of Berkeley.
Berkeley, California, is a vibrant city located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County. Named after the 18th-century philosopher George Berkeley, it is renowned for its dynamic blend of history, culture, and progressive thought. Established in 1868, the city is perhaps best known as the home of the University of California, Berkeley, a premier public research university that has significantly influenced the intellectual and cultural fabric of the region.
Berkeley’s landscape is characterized by its picturesque setting between the Pacific foothills and the San Francisco Bay, offering residents and visitors alike stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities. The city has a rich history of countercultural movements, particularly during the 1960s, when it became a hub for free speech and anti-war protests. This legacy of activism continues to shape its progressive policies and community initiatives today.
The city’s eclectic atmosphere is reflected in its diverse neighborhoods, each offering unique attractions and experiences. From the bustling Downtown area with its array of shops, restaurants, and theaters, to the tranquil residential streets of the Berkeley Hills, there is something for everyone. Cultural landmarks such as the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive further enrich the city’s cultural landscape.
Berkeley is also known for its commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. The city has implemented various green initiatives, including extensive recycling programs and the promotion of renewable energy sources. This dedication to sustainability is mirrored in the lifestyle of its residents, many of whom embrace eco-friendly practices.
In summary, Berkeley, California, is a city that seamlessly blends academic excellence, cultural diversity, historical significance, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Its unique character and enduring spirit make it a notable and influential part of the San Francisco Bay Area.
“When the sun is out and the pool is warm,” by Sheldon Greenberg. 48 x 40 in. Oil on canvas. At SLATE contemporary gallery.
SLATE contemporary is an art consultancy firm providing a personalized art collecting service, helping homeowners and businesses select the exact right art for their spaces.
During this process, we get to know you and the architecture of your home, and determine a selection of pieces that will suit your desired feeling, tone, your personal taste, the available light, the present or future interior design, your personal taste, and how you and your family and friends will enjoy the space. Below is a description of the process as it typically unfolds. Of course, options and adaptations are offered to suit each client’s individual circumstances.
These are the steps to the process of choosing art with a consultant: 1) Virtual gallery walk-through: Potential clients are invited first to look through SLATE’s website and let us know what they like, what they definitely don’t like, and what they are ambivalent towards. We are not limited to what’s on the site when we help clients collect, but we like to use our website as a diagnostic tool. This helps us get a sense of our client’s taste and style.
2) Home (or site) visit: We work with clients to identify potential locations for art, we measure the walls, and take photos. During this visit we look at images of artworks together. Sometimes, through this process, we are helping clients to identify or articulate their taste for the first time. Occasionally, when working with a couple, they each have different tastes and that can be very challenging. Sometimes we can find art that has elements that they will both like, sometimes we agree to let each one of them choose one piece, or each choose art for a different room. Sometimes, if those solutions don’t work, the truth is, we can’t help them. Also, for every project, every location, we are making a judgement call. Sometimes it’s a more personal decision, based on how the collector connects emotionally to the artwork. Sometimes it’s more of a design decision. For example, a room that is very neutral in overall tone might be desperate for color. Or if you have a very vibrant, visually-busy space, then the art might need to be quiet to create breathing room. All that said, it can also be nice to throw in a surprise, or chose a piece that creates visual tension, so the design doesn’t feel too predictable. In all of these ways, we are responding to what the space, and the client, needs.
3) Virtual art placement: At this point, we have developed a list of suggested artworks for specific locations, which we share digitally. We may make digital mockups showing artwork in situ, using the photos we took during the home (or site) visit.
4) Feedback: The client indicates their favorite selections.
5) Private viewing: We invite the client to the gallery for a private viewing, to see the potential selections in person. For this appointment, we may be retrieving pieces from our storage, or from the artists themselves. (NOTE: Anyone is welcome to visit SLATE gallery to see the works currently on display. However if there is a specific piece from the website you want to view, in order for us to have it ready for you, you may need to make an appointment.)
6) Short-list selections: We work with the client to further narrow down the list of pieces they want to view in their home.
7) “A man and a van:” We deliver the art to the client’s location — to meet with the client and the pieces in situ, for final decision-making and purchase. (There is a small fee for delivery, which, if the client makes a minimum purchase of $5000, the service fee is waived.) Some clients choose to skip steps 5 and 6, instead having many or all artworks under consideration brought to their home, in one, or repeat visits. We are happy to do this, however additional delivery fees apply.
Bonus tip: Whether to choose art at the start of a design/remodel project or the end Art is often chosen at the end of an interior design project or remodel, once the design and furniture is all in. The advantage of this approach is that we can use art to balance or fine-tune the design.
However, at that point, clients are usually in a hurry to see their project completed, and ideally, building an art collection is not done in a rush. Also, it may be too late, at that point in the process, to adjust window treatments, lighting, or wall color, all of which will have an impact on how the art reads. If you select the art first, you can create an environment for it during your renovation that makes it really sing.
Click this link to read more about Danielle Fox and SLATE on our blog. Learn more about SLATE contemporary at www.slateart.net
Danielle Fox of SLATE contemporary. Photo credit: Lauren Edith
Painting is as much about the process a painter uses as the painter themselves! At Arana Craftsman Painters, we leave little to chance because we follow a tried-and-true set of steps. These crucial steps are our “secret sauce” so to speak and it has allowed us to consistently build a reputation of reliability, exceptional quality and professionalism over the last 20 years.
These are our “4P’s” of a successful project and the key to why people love working with Arana Craftsman Painters!
The steps to exceptional interior and exterior house painting include:
Planning
Pre-Job Walkthrough: Our Production Manager and Estimator will meet with you prior to the scheduled project start date to confirm the start date, scope, sequencing, and colors. Essentially, all expectations are reconfirmed to assure a smooth handoff between our Estimator and our Production Department. Proper communication is the key to exceptional quality and to you having a great painting experience. At this point, when we arrive at your project, our Crew Leader and Crew have a solid plan as to what processes will take place first, and in what areas.
Color Consultation: Arana Craftsman Painters works with top San Francisco Bay Area Color Consultants and on projects needing a consultation, the Consultation is included in our bid. Having colors chosen ahead of time will make your life so much easier. We’ll even put up swatches so you can see the colors in real life and make a final decision.
Staging: We set up a neat and organized area for our equipment, tools, and products, a home base, where we can safely and efficiently manage your project. yelp nextdoor houzz logo group PNG Staffing: In addition to a dedicated Production Manager, every project has a dedicated Crew Leader who works closely with you, our Production Manager, and our office, to assure timely resolution to any challenges that arise, as well as quality control, and sequencing, assuring you have an amazing painting experience!
Protection
Pond Isle Before and During HDR-162530-1 Arana invests heavily in all the correct tools and materials and use quality plastic, drop cloths, paper, and tape to protect the surfaces of your home and environment that are not scheduled to be painted.
Preparation
Paint will not adhere properly without expert preparation of surfaces. Proper preparation is the cornerstone of exceptional quality.
EPA Lead-Safe Firm We sand, scrape, and prime as appropriate to ensure proper adhesion. We contain particulate and dust exposure per Environmental Protection Agency safety standards and Arana Craftsman Painters is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Contractor. For the safety of everyone involved, painting contractors MUST be EPA Lead-Safe Certified!
After primer is applied, we patch, caulk and fill for aesthetic and in some cases sealing purposes or to prevent water incursion.
Painting!
Five Year Warranty After protecting your home and environment (family, pets, surrounding surfaces, furnishings, valuables, all areas not scheduled for paint); scraping and sanding to remove old layers of paint to help ensure the integrity of your new paint at a standard that meets our 5 Year Warranty; thorough cleaning of the surfaces scheduled for work to remove any contaminants; priming, caulking, and patching; then, we paint!
This article is Part 1 of our 3-Part series on hiring a painting contractor, highlighting what makes Arana stand out among our competitors.
It is because of this detailed and thorough standard of care that Arana continues to be an award-winning top choice of discerning homeowners, interior designers, and general contractors. Contact us to learn more about our process and have an estimator visit your home!
Have a Painting Project You’d Like Us to Look at for You — or Questions!?
A Holiday Gift Guide There is something about a book; a real book that you hold in your hands: the texture of the edges of the pages, the way the words and the spaces between the words comprise a visual pattern as well as communicating ideas. And when included, the beautiful images. Books intended to be appreciated for their beauty, often featuring travel, fashion, art, food…
And then there is the art of displaying books. Interior designers know this intimately. Rare is the room that does not host a stack of books, or a single book, possibly propped up against a sturdy object. Whether on a coffee table or a sofa table, or in a bookcase, or on a shelf, or tucked next to ceramic flour and sugar jars on the kitchen counter, the presence of beautiful books feeds the eyes, heart, and mind. We love to see them, pick them up and hold them, page through them, settle into a cozy chair and escape into them for a while.
So, with the holidays coming, we thought we would ask some of our favorite interior designer colleagues for their current favorite “coffee table” books, that they or you might enjoy actually reading in cozy nooks — and create a gift guide for you, dear readers, this holiday season. In the process, we also collected from them their favorite independent sources for this type of book. Plus, for this article, we are including a few images from their portfolios of beautiful spaces that are the perfect setups for settling in and enjoying books.
Book nook designed by LMB Interiors; built by McCutcheon Construction; painted by Arana
Laura Martin Bovard (lmbinteriors.com):
Sumo unedited “For coffee table books, I adore shopping at Sue Fisher King. I’m not sure if she carries it, but I’m loving SUMO, by Annie Liebovitz.”
Recently released in an XXL edition, SUMO draws on 40 years of the photographer’s work, including photojournalism for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s and her trademark, simultaneously quirky and moving conceptual portraits of celebrities for Vanity Fair and Vogue.
Sue Fisher King: 3067 Sacramento St. San Francisco
French-inspired window-seat area in Atherton primary suite, designed by Robineve & Co. Interiors.
Katie Cole (robineveinteriors.com):
“Assouline is my go-to for coffee table books. Each one is special, particularly the oversized editions like this one about Coco Chanel, Chanel: The Impossible Collection, which we’re ordering for a client right now.”
Each book in Assouline’s “The Impossible Collection” series is hand-bound, hand-printed on art-quality paper, and comes in a linen clamshell presentation case. Chanel: The Impossible Collection, by Alexander Fury.
Shop online at: assouline.com
Cozy fireplace for reading beside; living room designed by Laura Eichel
Laura Eichel (lauraeichel.com):
“One of my favorite coffee table books is Ken Fulk’s The Movie in My Mind — available directly from the publisher, Assouline (assouline.com). Ken Fulk is a well-known interior designer based in San Francisco who creates incredible interiors for homes and hotels. He is notorious for his wit, effortless style, and sense of fun, and he brings this energy to every project. This book is a testament to his exquisite taste and prolific creativity.” Eichel’s favorite local spots for in-person browsing: The Gardener and Builders Booksource, both on 4th Street.
The Gardener: 1836 Fourth St, Berkeley
Builders Booksource: 1817 Fourth St, Berkeley
A perfect reading corner for cuddling up with a book; design by Mead Quin
Mead Quin (meadquin.com):
“World’s Finest Homes (from Beta-Plus Publishing) is a beautiful book full of architecture and interior design from all around the world. Each project, elegant, subtle, and inspiring, comes with a brief description and introduction to the responsible firm. The book itself is rather large, making it a fantastic addition to a large coffee table.”
For in-person book perusal and acquisition, Quin recommends: William Stout Architectural Books in Jackson Square, located at 804 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.
Featured image at top, photo credit: Laura Martin Bovard. Pictured: selection of books on shelf at Sue Fisher King
There’s a level of trust placed in any home service provider as they work in and around your home. Building this trust starts from the moment you contact Arana Craftsman Painters to come to your home or business and provide you with an Estimate.
This article helps you understand what to expect at an Arana Craftsman Painters Estimating Consultation. This is Part 3 in our series sharing the Arana Craftsman Painters’ philosophy which we fondly call The Craftsman Way.
At Arana Craftsman Painters, we leave little to chance because we follow a tried-and-true set of steps. The philosophy behind the crucial process steps we take on every project is our “secret sauce” so to speak and it has allowed us to consistently build a reputation of reliability, exceptional quality and professionalism over the last 20 years.
The steps to exceptional painting include:
A thorough and professional Estimating Consultation, more on that below!
The “3C’s” of Consistency, Clean Up, and Communication
Protecting your home and environment (family, pets, surrounding surfaces, furnishings, valuables, all areas not scheduled for paint)
Scraping/sanding to remove old layers of paint that will negatively impact the integrity of your new paint at a standard that meets our 5 Year Warranty
Thorough cleaning of the surfaces scheduled for work to remove any contaminants
Priming, Caulking and Patching
Exceptional Painting
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Overview Please allow about an hour to an hour and a half for our appointment. Before our Estimator starts, they’ll give a brief overview as to what will happen while we are on the property and address any concerns you may have regarding our process, scheduling needs, budget, and special considerations.
Project Audit An audit will be conducted to determine the present condition of your home, and we’ll take measurements and photos. We’ll will note surface conditions and use this information to create a ‘written recommendations’ document for you to review. We’ll can also provide alternatives and suggestions to achieve the outcome you are looking for.
Presentation of Recommendations When you receive our proposal, it will thoroughly explain the scope of work required to achieve your desired outcome. We typically check in within a day of sending, and can answer any additional questions you may have.
Determine Next Steps After reviewing our proposal and signing the contract, we will schedule a job walk with our production manager and put your project into the production calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Have You Been In Business? “Arana Craftsman Painters has been proudly serving the San Francisco Bay area for 20 years because not only do our past customers continue to come back but also refer us to their friends and neighbors.”
How Do You Hire and Evaluate Your Painters? “We are very selective in hiring our painters and administer a criminal background check for every painter. Most of our painters, especially our crew leaders, have been with us for years. We trust them in the homes of our own friends and relatives.”
What Process Do You Use to Prepare Surfaces to Make Sure the Paints Adheres Properly? Arana is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Contractor. Following EPA Lead-Safe Certified procedures we completely remove all failed loose and flaking material from surfaces and substrates to a standard that will meet our 5 Year Warranty.
EPA Lead-Safe Firm
Often, this is done by manually scraping followed by pressure washing. It’s standard for surfaces to be abraded, thoroughly sanded, profiled, and primed to guarantee adhesion. That’s why we take our time where it counts – especially in the preparation.
For the safety of everyone involved, are all the painting contractors you have bidding on your project EPA Lead-Safe Certified?
“YES! For more information on our process see: The 3C’s of a Superior House Painting Process – San Francisco”
What Type of Guarantee do You Offer? “We offer a 5 year warranty on all projects, the strongest guarantee in the Bay Area! So, if you notice an issue – small or large – please call our office. We strive to create “customers for life” and do annual warranty check ins. The bottom line is that you can call us any time after your project has been completed!”
What Type of Paint Do You Recommend? “We use only the premium lines with Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore because we have a strong relationship with both brands and they produce superior products. This means if there is ever a manufacturing defect, we know that these companies will stand behind our work – and your project. However, we do make exceptions when there are superior products in specific situations or if our customers have a strong product preference.”
Are you Licensed, Bonded & Insured? “Absolutely! We make certain we protect our customers by carrying the appropriate insurance coverage for general liability and workers compensation. Additionally, we are licensed by all local authorities and continually seek out industry recognized certifications and designations to add to our customer’s peace of mind.”
Prep and Color Consult Can You Provide References? “Yes! References right in your neighborhood are included with all proposals! Feel free to ask for more!”
When Will I Receive My Proposal? “We will send it no later than 5 business days after our meeting.”
When Do You Take Payment?” We only take payment per a payment schedule upon work completed. The schedule is detailed in our Proposal/ Contract. We ask for a deposit of 10% or no greater than $1000 to hold your spot on our calendar.”
Have a Painting Project You’d Like Us to Look at For You or Questions!?
These are our “3C’s” of a successful project process and the key to why people love working with Arana Craftsman Painters!
At Arana Craftsman Painters, we leave little to chance because we follow a tried-and-true set of steps.
This is Part 2 in our series (Part 1 can be found here) and Part 3 is here) sharing the Arana Craftsman Painters’ philosophy which we fondly call The Craftsman Way. The philosophy behind the crucial process steps we take on every project is our “secret sauce” so to speak and it has allowed us to consistently build a reputation of reliability, exceptional quality and professionalism over the last 17 years.
The steps to exceptional painting include:
The “3C’s”, more on that below!!
Protecting your home and environment (family, pets, surrounding surfaces, furnishings, valuables, all areas not scheduled for paint)
Scraping/sanding to remove old layers of paint that will negatively impact the integrity of your new paint at a standard that meets our 5 Year Warranty
Five Year Warranty
Thorough cleaning of the surfaces scheduled for work to remove any contaminants
Priming, Caulking and Patching
Exceptional Painting
Consistency
Protection We invest heavily in all the correct tools and materials and use quality plastic, drop cloths, paper, and tape to protect the surfaces of your home and environment that are not scheduled to be painted.
Preparation Paint will not adhere properly without expert preparation. Proper preparation is the cornerstone of exceptional quality.
We sand, scrape, and prime as appropriate to ensure proper adhesion. We contain particulate and dust exposure per Environmental Protection Agency safety standards and Arana Craftsman Painters is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Contractor. EPA Lead-Safe Firm
For the safety of everyone involved, are all the painting contractors you have bidding on your project EPA
Lead-Safe Certified?
After primer is applied, we patch, caulk and fill for aesthetic and in some cases sealing purposes or to prevent water incursion.
Painting the Finish We employ highly skilled craftsmen, use quality materials and utilize a consistent and proven method. We apply paint to uniformly and completely coat your surfaces with the appropriate amount of material and paint thickness. The results are stunning and durable.
Communication
Pre Job Walkthrough: Our Production Manager and Estimator will meet with you prior to the scheduled project start date to confirm start date, scope, sequencing, and colors. Essentially all expectations are reconfirmed to assure smooth handoff between our Estimator and our Production Department. Proper communication is the key to exceptional quality and you having a great painting experience. At this point when we arrive at your project, our Crew Leader and Crew have a solid plan as to what processes will take place first and in what areas.
Cass Morris 66th St cropped
Color Consultation: Arana Craftsman Painters works with top San Francisco Bay Area Color Consultants. The option of a color consult is included in our bid. Having colors chosen ahead of time makes your life so much easier. We’ll put up swatches (a.k.a. “Brush outs”) so you can see the colors in real life and make an informed decision.
Scheduling & Logistics: Our dedicated Service Manager will connect with you to handle scheduling and job logistics; the Crew Leader assigned to your project can answer your questions about daily activity; Our Production Manager stops in and assists the Crew Leader in planning; Our Estimator is standing by should any questions about the work order arise and Office Coordinator will send invoices at the completion of each phase of the project. Throughout the duration of your project, we listen and address any concerns promptly and thoroughly
Daily Onsite Management: In addition to a dedicated Production Manager, every project has a dedicated Crew Leader who works closely with you, our Production Manager and our office to assure timely resolution to any challenges that arise, scope changes, quality control, sequencing and assuring you have an amazing painting experience!
Have a Painting Project You’d Like Us to Look at For You or Questions!?
Interior painting and artwork have an intimate relationship. The way that light reflects, the color tones shifting against the other’s presence. It is no small thing to choose the right location, lighting, and wall color for art, or to choose the right wall color when those factors have been set.
Which is why we adore and appreciate Danielle Fox and her team of art consultants at SLATE Contemporary in Oakland. An art consultancy and gallery, SLATE represents primarily California artists, many of them from the Bay Area, with a focus on modern contemporary art.
“Our gallery and consultancy is known for contemporary, abstract art. We are always looking for a strong sense of formal qualities, which is about what the materials are and what they will do; artists that are working with composition and color; lines, planes and depth,” explains Danielle.
With over 40 emerging and mid-career artists in their stable, producing abstract, landscape, cityscape, figurative art, impressionism, expressionism, street art, op art, minimalism, and installation art, SLATE has a prodigious rotating collection. About 75% of the artists SLATE represents are based in California, with one-third of that group from the East Bay.
SLATE is a physical gallery in the vibrant Uptown neighborhood of Oakland and participates regularly in promotional events including First Fridays, Saturday Stroll, and Art Murmur. SLATE is also a consultancy, helping homeowners and business owners make decisions about purchasing the right art for their spaces.
“We are really looking for art that people want to live with in their homes,” Danielle explains. “Our emphasis is on art that fulfills the senses in some way, feeding the spirit with beauty and bringing the mind to a place of clarity. Political and conceptual art, by contrast, are important, but are not what most people want to wake up to in the morning or come home to at the end of the day.”
Additionally, SLATE works with Interior Designers and Architects to help them select pieces for their clients and projects. (One of Arana’s favorite Interior Designers is also a visual artist represented by SLATE, Anastasia Faiella.)
Danielle’s parents were artists and, “for the longest time I thought I would do anything-but!” She laughs.
She ended up “falling in love” with Art History in college, obtaining her Ph.D., and then working at Sotheby’s in London for four years. Instead of becoming a subject expert, she found herself drawn to a business development and strategy track. “I learned that I enjoy managing projects and working with people. So now, I get to do these things and do them in relation to the art world, while supporting a local community of artists and collectors.”
Danielle opened SLATE in March 2009, in Temescal. In 2013, she partnered with Shelley Barry which enabled SLATE to expand into commercial art consultancy for businesses, offices, building lobbies and the like; and they moved the gallery to its current location, where, this year, they celebrated the businesses’ 10th anniversary. SLATE Art Consulting serves clients all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Peninsula, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Berkeley, Oakland, Orinda, and Lafayette. SLATE also has a presence in North Lake Tahoe with rotating exhibitions at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and a local representative to work with clients in Truckee, Martis Camp, Northstar, Mountainside, Incline Village, and surrounding areas.
Longtime readers of our print newsletter may have noticed that not all of our articles are about paint or painting (fun topic for us, but maybe too repetitive for you) and that most of our articles are written by me or Julie Feinstein Adams — plus the occasional featured guest, or reprints from the blogosphere.
This month, we give you a behind the scenes peek at our newsletter creation process, putting the spotlight on our writer and editor and her contributions — who she is and how she is not only one of the loveliest people you will ever meet but also how she makes the “magic” of words happen for us, every issue.
Julie Feinstein Adams’s first professional writing job was as a freelance writer for the Daily Californian in 1989, and she performed her first autobiographical solo show in 1992 — both of which marked the start of a wide-ranging career encompassing journalism, theater arts, public relations, and marketing content and consulting. Julie Feinstein Adams has spent decades telling stories — others’ and her own.
Business Growth Network, a BNI Chapter where we met Julie
Her current projects include working on her memoir — in the forms of both a one-woman show and a book — about her marriage to a person who transitioned genders. (View an early version/short performance, here: jfacommunications.com/wtf-solo-showdown.)
She also volunteers with OurPath.org, hosting an online support group meeting for Partners of Trans People.
Julie and I first met in a local business networking group in 2008 and we immediately bonded. Since I have always been a wannabe writer, of course, I was drawn to her! She is a storyteller with a passion for the way that stories connect people; I am all about building community connections; it was a match!
For me, this newsletter is my form of craftsmanship. Why do Arana’s painters get to have all the fun, engaging their craft? With Julie, I get to take to my little soapbox/sandbox and do the otherwise ordinary task of writing a newsletter, my way. Arana is a painting business, yes, but we also love sharing about different aspects of the Bay Area and the things that are meaningful to us — and hopefully, this benefits you as well.
BY MARKETA
How It All Works:
In our monthly brainstorming meetings, Julie and I bounce ideas off of each other and take notes, which then become drafts. Sometimes we compile resources on a topic and that becomes a how-to article, other times we interview a community member or highlight an industry partner. These interviews become profiles, or we edit the material into guest posts, thus giving voice to, or ghostwriting for, those colleagues and friends.
As I’ve said many times in this space, and as inscribed in Arana’s mission, I deeply value community, especially community health and beautification. So, by spotlighting my colleagues and friends, as well as the cool things we find out about, and the recipes we love, this is me being of service, aligning my work with my heart-of-hearts wish for all of us — that we all thrive, prosper, and enjoy life!
The Thing About Julie:
Julie is not only a writer and performer, but she is also a coach, specializing in both business coaching and dating coaching. (Yes, dating coaching is a thing; that’s what I love about living here; there is help for everything!)
Julie explains: “As I was working with my clients — whether producing marketing content or content for dating profiles — I recognized that I was helping people clarify and articulate who they are and what they have to offer, and how their stories, the things they care about, connect them to others. So, in 2011, I became a coach.
“Whether I am working as a coach or as a writer, I am seeing beauty, or you could call it ‘essence,’ and putting a frame around that. I’m listening for that underlying thread, perceiving what is wanting to emerge, and helping my clients to recognize it in themselves and be empowered by it.”
Julie’s writing is a kind of coaching for me. It does something. It gives my thoughts form and content and helps to grease the wheels of expression. When Julie and I do this newsletter together every month, the idea generation doesn’t even take that long; it’s effortless. She’s like my own personal Blarney Stone! I get on a call with her and the ideas just start rolling in. Everyone needs a Julie!
From soup to nuts, newsletter production is a cottage industry: our in-house process includes Kristina Islas (eyecatcherdm.com) who handles the graphic design aspect; Courtney Montecino, our Assistant to the Customer Account Manager (and whom many of you talk to when you schedule your site visits), who is our proofreader, plus my daughter Sofia who does the folding and stuffs the envelopes for our print edition!
Julie offers life, business, relationship, and writing coaching, as well as group workshops on memoir writing and business blogging. If you are an aspiring writer — this is for you! Learn more at: jfacommunications.com
