Sunday, December 6, 2009

Day 2 GIVEAWAY $500...The 12 Days of Artistically Speaking Grand Launch Hallapoloosa


Today is Day 2... of the giveaways for:
The 12 Days of Artistically Speaking
Grand Launch Hallapoloosa


Pietre Dure inlay, hand painted and stenciled, copper leafed tray by Connie Cotita. Value $500. The title of the tray is "Redemption." click photo to enlarge


Connie's Turtle Shell, ($500)


Pietre Dure inlay, hand painted and stenciled, copper leafed tray.
The title of the tray is "Redemption."
Close-up photos below





In the mid 1990s art majors Connie and Randy Cotita, formed Studio Abbellire, which focuses on their marbling, wood graining, gilding, applied ornament and custom carpentry talents. Connie is a master of faux pietre dura.


Pietra dura is an Italian phrase that means "hard stone," and usually refers to the technique of creating intricate inlaid pictures from shaped colored stones. The stones used are usually silicates, including agates, alabaster, amethyst, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, malachite, onyx, and topaz. The craft, developed in antiquity, originally consisted of shaping stones with small saws, wires and other metal instruments and adding them to decorative objects such as vases or small sculptures. The art was revived during the Renaissance by Italian craftsmen and the first hard-stone workshop was established by the Medici family in Florence in 1588. The art was also practiced at the courts of Naples, Madrid, Prague, Paris and elsewhere. From the late 16th century, the colorful stones were arranged on furniture as landscapes and flower scenes.

A major inspirational turning point for the couple occurred in 2002 when they were invited to join the International Decorative Painters Salon. Inspired by the immense talent and camaraderie of some of the finest of decorative artisans they created the website, www.InfauxWorld.com, as an informational service to the industry.

In 2005 and 2006, Connie and Randy were invited to display their work at the Salon in Philadelphia and the Netherlands, respectively. Their work has also been displayed in the M.C. Escher Museum in The Hague and featured in Delta Style magazine, The American Painting Contractor and The Artistic Stenciler. Connie is a certified stencilist through the Stencil Artisans League, Inc. (SALI).


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20 comments:

Joyce said...

Hello!!! I think I am figuring this out! Connie's work is one of a kind! I have always admired her and Randy's work! Thank you for your generous donation/gift! Someone is feel very special having this! :)

sass said...

On the second day of Hallapaloosa I hope that tray comes to me! congrats on your new venture rebecca! Now I have to figure out a name for that little penguin!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful talent Connie and Randy have! Anyone would be trilled to get this generous donation/gift!!! Thanks!!!!!! Would love to win it!!

Enzie Shahmiri said...

This is such a pretty tray that I actually have to try for it! I love the Pietre Dure inlay!

Sheri Hoeger said...

Connie and Randy are wonderful artists and their inlay work is some of my favorite ever! How fun to have a chance to win this!

Unknown said...

I saw thier work up clase at the Salon in Chicago, top notch and very innovative. I am inspired and awed by them!

patriciawtravis said...

Connie and Randy are so talented! What a lovely tray. They did an extraordinary job on the doghouse in NO

gary lord said...

fantastic artist, both of them

Karen Sabrsula said...

stunning work!!

alma said...

Beautiful!!!

Cindy Andrews said...

Anyone would love to have this!!!!!!!!

icecrystal said...

Connie's Turtle Shell would look fabulous in my eclectic Tuscan breakfast nook. I would love to have one of her works!!!

Bob said...

Connie's work is beautiful...anyone would love to have it!!

Gale said...

OMG.... it's beautiful!!! The lace is outstanding!!! It all is... wow.....

Mahala Elliott said...

it's so pretty!

Jennifer McCabe Carrasco said...

That is soooo beautiful....graceful and intricate

Elena Makievsky said...

This is just absolutely wonderful!!

Jane Drew said...

This is lovely! I saw the Gypsy Wagon that you did for the Artists4Others project in person the other day...it is absolutely BREATHTAKING! You are soooo talented....

Magic Brush said...

Pick me! Pick me!

kriskuchavik said...

sweeettt !!! Yes I would like this

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