Cindy Amos, Decorative Painter
Seattle, Washington
December 2006: "The instruction was organized, fully explained and easy to understand and follow."

I have had my own business for a few years, focusing mainly on color planning and faux painting with various paint techniques. I wanted to take things to the next level, so learning about plaster finishes and new materials and techniques would benefit my business, as well as add more interest and variety to the body of work I do.

Aaron's class at SAFS did not disappoint. Not only did we have over 20 finished, professional samples to add to my portfolio, but we were working the whole time, making good use of the week. The instruction was organized, fully explained and easy to understand and follow. The work room was spacious and well equipped, facilitating a creative environment. Aaron is very knowledgeable about his product and his craft. It was a joy to spend the week with him and now consider him a good resource for products and information. I would encourage those wishing to learn architectural finishes to consider investing in a week with Aaron at SAFS.
www.awaywithwhite.com

Mary C. Engel-Bader, How Great Thou Art Finishing Studio
Albuquerque, New Mexico
September 2006: "Aaron gave all of us the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident..."

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for how professional, informational and thorough the 5-day Architectural Wall Finishing class held in Las Vegas and taught by Aaron Cohen of Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio was.

As a contractor in California and now in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I have taken several classes from leading artists in the field of decorative painting, fine finishes, textures and murals. I found Aaron’s instructional style to be most helpful, creating a true learning environment. Aaron was fully prepared for the class; for example, he had all the materials, product and supporting documents for us to follow, which allowed us to move along at a comfortable and confident pace.

Aaron was patient and never jumped too far ahead until all students were ready. This created an atmosphere of calmness, which is needed when striving to learn so many finishes in just a few days. There were a couple of students with almost no prior finishing experience, and I was impressed at Aaron’s ability to work with the different levels of students.

Aaron’s knowledge of each product that was used and real-world experience in the field allowed students to ask questions regarding product information, technical business operations and application techniques.

TexSton offers wonderful products, but their beauty can only truly be appreciated when they are successfully applies by a finisher who knows and understands the products. Aaron gave all of us the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident in selling and applying the TexSton products.

I am excited to get out there and sell the beautiful finishes, and will certainly recommend the 5-day Architectural Wall Finishing Class to my colleagues around the country.

Lita Jans
Ashland, Oregon
September2006: "Thanks for the fabulous class..."

Thanks for the fabulous class this past week. You taught us so much in a short period of time. Please tell Kay Lynn, Chris and Paul thanks for me, too. You all work together as a great team.

I have been showing my samples to friends and family. The most enthusiastic response yet came from my 16 year old daughter and her friend. They aren't afraid of some exuberant color. (And if they hadn't liked them, I know they would have dissed them just as vigorously. But they loved 'em. The wilder the better.)

Thanks a bunch!

Julie Kirk, Decorative Finisher
La Quinta, California
September 2006: "I enjoyed the class so much!!"

I enjoyed the class so much!! You did a great job teaching; God knows it's not easy!

I look foreword to your temporary time in the desert. You'll be hitting some great weather. Please remember Jake is available for grunt work, he's a great worker and he'd be thrilled to work for and learn from you and Chris.

See you soon!

Cassandra Wallstrum, Architectural Finishes
San Diego, California
September 2006: "I truly think you are one of the best teachers I have had..."

I just wanted to thank you for the awesome class, and let you know I truly think you are one of the best teachers I have had... and I've had a few... You made every one feel very comfortable and at ease with the product... Teaching is truly an art and you’ve got it girl.... besides that it was my pleasure to be in the class. Sorry if I caused any trouble but someone has to be the rebel! Please keep in touch and I look forward to seeing you and Chris again.

My blessing... Cassandra

Amber Bobbe, Decorative Wall Finishes
Phoenix, Arizona
July 2006: "I’m anxious to use all the new products."

Hope all is well. I’m just getting back to normal and I’m anxious to use all the new products.

Just wanted to say thank you for a great class. You covered everything I was hoping to learn. I came out of the class knowing I could use all the tools you provided to make me a better painter.

Thanks again!

P.S. Are you trading in the trowels for a surfboard yet?

Tom Zittritsch
Palm Desert, California
October 2006: "I think you're an enormous talent..."

Thank you Crystal, you made it awesome for me, and Chris was very helpful whenever I asked him anything. The class, for me, was all and more than I expected. Anyway, thanx again, I think you're an enormous talent, keep doing what you do, and I'll see ya when ya get down here.

Marci Marcinko and Terry Foxen, Faux Play
Reno, Nevada
July 2006: "...thank you for the classes."

I am writing to thank you for the classes. Crystal is just a real great instructor.

We really enjoyed her, as well as the rest of the staff. They were all great. Everything was explained very well. The sample boards we brought home have been getting rave reviews.

Again thank you for providing such nice, and competent staff.

Shannon Kaye, Decorative Painter
San Francisco, California
August 2004: "Thanks so much..."

Thanks so much for the time and attention you gave to the Architectural Wall Finishing class in Seattle.

I especially appreciate your willingness to share tips and suggestions based on your own professional experience.

The product training and advice for actual job site situations was invaluable. I feel confident and excited about recreating these finishes for my clients. Oh, and lunches were great too! See More About Shannon.
www.shannonkaye.com
www.diynetwork.com/show

Kendra Zvonic, Decorative Painter
Bremerton, Washington
April 2005: "I am so very excited..."

I am so very excited about the future of my business and the developing business relationship between myself and your studio. Thank you for helping me promote my business. Connie and I have a project in the works that will involve several of your finishes. So the color samples will help tremendously. She is also showing the Tuscany finish to a cabinetmaker that is building a new showroom. I am getting so much positive feedback on the samples. I feel very confident that taking your class was a good decision for my business. Thanks for your support and I look forward to our future dealings.

Tama Warrior, Decorative Painter
Auburn, Washington
April 2005: "I just wanted to tell you how excited..."

Hey Aaron and Kay Lynn,
I just wanted to tell you how excited I am to put all the knowledge you taught us to work! I have had many many wonderful comments on my sample boards. My boss at the restaurant is going to have me do one of the side rooms in Marmorino. That will also be great advertisement for me. I'm sure I will be in contact to order supplies and with many questions. I will probably be really scared the first few times doing a whole room!! Yikes! But thank you again for everything last week, I had a lot of fun and learned a ton!!"

Stuart Milner, Decorative Painter
Longmont, Colorado
July 2005: "I just can't get over how much that class has helped my business grow..."

Hi Aaron, I know your busy with your home show next week. I just wanted to let you know that I talked to that designer for the Parade Of Homes in Denver and well, I'm in!!, I meet with them in two weeks to go over the details. Their only concern was that I need to get in and out and they want me to hire out help. They pay for all material and in my case may help pay for hired labor. Long story short, do you know of any certified applicators in my area that you would recommend to assist me and willing to do free labor for a chance to show their talents on this project. The more we talked and the more samples they saw, the more they want me to do my finishes. They want me to do many areas of the house and I have very little time to do it in, a lot of burning the midnight oil. They absolutely loved almost every sample we did in your class; I just can't get over how much that class has helped my business grow over the past year.

Well that was my good news, good luck with the home show and if you know of any help that would be awesome.

p.s. They want an old world look for 90% of the finishes but they love my marmorino veccio as well. They also wanted a colorwash on a large wall but I was thinking due to the lack of help maybe a silkstone over metallic( no cold joints) I may even do a suedestone for the fast drying qualities, what are your thoughts, I have about 5 different areas to do including a mural.
www.stuartsvf.com

Joe Ferrandino, Decorative Painter
Albany, New York
January 2004: "...the orange/red distressed Marmorino sample we did in class is single-handedly changing my business."

Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed the Architectural Wall Finishing class.

I really love the look of those black-bordered sample boards; can you give me a source for those? By the way, the orange/red distressed Marmorino sample we did in class is single-handedly changing my business.

I really appreciate the way you instructed and let your passion for finishing come through in our class.

Marcia Wyatt, Decorative Painter
Kennewick, Washington
November 2003: "I have been able to significantly advance my skill..."

Since taking classes at Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio, I have been able to significantly advance my skills. I now offer so many more unique higher-end finishes and have so much more to offer my clients. The techniques I have learned have really separated my work from my competition.

Gail Pittman, Expressions In Faux by Gail
Pasco, Washington
April 2003: "...thank you for sharing your expertise and time so generously."

I was just checking your new homepage and I'm very excited to see the Architectural Wall Finishing class. The week after I completed the level 1 class I landed a great a job applying Tuscany in an upscale home. Needless to say I was nervous, but having you literally sitting by the phone to offer help made it nearly painless.

I continue to use the faux finishes I learned from your previous classes and I will continue to take advantage of your future classes when time permits. Again, thank you for sharing your expertise and time so generously.

Norry Carrel, Interior Designer
San Francisco, California
August 2003: "Thank you for such a great class."

Thank you for such a great class. Being an interior designer I'm rather critical of the finishes I see, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the level of sophistication you have been able to achieve with the work you do and the samples you taught us. Oh and Thanks to Crystal for the ride to the airport, much appreciated.
www.carreldesign.com

Mariella Russo, Decorative Painter
Bellingham, Washington
April 2002: "I just can't thank you enough..."

I just can't thank you enough for the amazing Architectural Wall finishing class. You are a truly great teacher.

I loved that we were able to come with you to an actual job site and experience first hand what it was like. For someone like me who is just getting started in this field it was very, very cool.

The sample boards are beautiful and the feedback of everyone who has seen them is fantastic. I feel confident in reproducing what I learned and feel very safe knowing you are so willing to help when I need your advice and professional tips. I look forward to future classes and more.

Rosella Zehnder Ritocchi, Decorative Painter
Sumner, Washington
November 2002: "I just can't say enough..."

To be successful in the field of professional faux finishing, it is essential to have the proper training. Aaron and the staff at Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio share their talent and expertise through teaching and enable their students to provide sophisticated, original and stunning finishes for their clients.

Architectural Wall Finishing is the second class I've taken from Aaron, and I just can't say enough about what a gifted and caring teacher he is.

Thanks to SAFS for their guidance and for remaining on that critical leading edge that allows us all to be head and shoulders above our competition.

Estelle Leptich, Decorative Painter
Chicago, Illinois
May 2002: "The most amazing teacher I have ever had..."

I went to art school and knew I had to find a way to make my art work for me. I took a class that introduced me to the world of decorative finishing, and that was how I met Aaron Cohen. He truly is the most amazing teacher I have ever had since deciding to make wall finishes and murals my career.

I recommend anyone interested in making this a career to travel to his school in Seattle. It's in a great location - right in Pioneer Square. There is so much to learn about new products, and Aaron is always on the forefront. He is always patient and I love the fact he has such small classes. He truly is an artist.

If I hadn't taken class with Aaron, I know I would not be where I am today in the world of decorative finishes.

Joan Hammond, Decorative Painter
San Francisco, California
June 2000: "...all I can say is WOW!"

I have just completed Aaron's class and all I can say is WOW! The products are fantastic; far superior to anything I have used in the past; and wow what awesome instructors. What I really appreciated about their teaching methods and style was their patience and their insistence on applying whatever we were doing in class to the "real world" of decorative painting.

The goal was not to create a pretty demo board but rather to develop a technique that could be realistically applied to a whole wall, room, or furniture piece.

I am confident that with a little more practice in applying the knowledge and skills I have obtained in this class, I will truly be a cutting edge decorative painter. I can't thank you all enough.

Kathy Mahan; Decorative Painter
Denver, Colorado
June 2000: "...the course was fabulous."

Before I attended Aaron's class, I had a small successful decorative painting business in northern Colorado. Although my work was well executed and my clients were happy with my work, I was beginning to get burned-out on color washes and ragged off glazes. So, I decided to increase my repertoire and take a class... Like any new student learning about new materials and techniques, I was open to new learning but also skeptical. However, it did not take long for my skepticism to vanish and to find myself completely sold on the products and techniques. I saw not only the business potential, but also the cure for my oncoming burn-out.

Needless to say, the course was fabulous. Aaron was a great teacher, who was willing to share his techniques and experiences with the class.