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Featured SAFS Student Zak Clarke on Plaster Techniques and Cement Floor Finishes
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Zak Clarke was born in 1972 in Colchester, England, which has the distinction of being
the location where the Emperor Claudius received the surrender of the Celtic kings to found
the Roman Province of Britannia. Zak's education in the faux finishing industry began at
age 16, when he attended Chelmsford Polytech for 2 years in the Construction and Training
Board. He followed that with 4 years of on the job apprenticeship in and around the London
area working with John De Brito Painting and Decorators, whose work focused mainly on
restoration, remodels and hand painted kitchens.
He moved to America in 2000, and made his way to Florida. Zak found work as a painter/plasterer in
Saint Augustine and Key West, Florida with Phillip Russell Construction specializing in high-end
remodels and house flipping.
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Zak Clarke
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Zak met his future wife while working in Florida, and when they came to Montana on their
honeymoon fell in love with the rugged landscape that his beautiful bride hailed from.
Within six months the couple had bought a home and relocated to Whitefish. When he arrived
he called Viking Studios looking for part-time work.
Diane Duff,
founder of Viking quickly saw his potential and likeability and hired him. Diane says,
"We found that our work was going so well together that he soon became full time."
He attended the Bella Vernici Classes taught by
Aaron Cohen
at Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio in April of 2004 and is looking forward to
participating in more classes at SAFS this spring.
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After bringing his new skills back to Montana, Zak became a partner in Viking Studios in
2005 because of his remarkable talent and the fact that he and Diane had an easy working
relationship that was a good fit.
He is in charge of many of the old world plaster techniques and cement floor finishes.
Customers love Zak because of his quick wit as well as his abilities as a faux finisher.
Recently he has completed some Bella Vernici countertops and received rave reviews on those.
His favorite finish is the
Marmorino,
which he applies in a distressed manner followed by
Glazes and
Waxes.
He is very happily married to Jennifer, and they have a 2-year old son, Tristan. He coaches
soccer at the Flathead Valley Junior College in Kalispell, MT.
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For more information:
email: info@vikingfauxfinishes.com
website: www.vikingfauxfinishes.com
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