SPRAY PAINT CRAFTS WITH MARK MONTANO
I recently interviewed Mark Montano, a designer from California who admits that, every project of his has a Krylon aspect. You have probably seen Mark’s work on TLC, Style! Network, WE TV, or by coming across a copy of one of his four books. Mark is also far more than a designer. He also is a contributing editor to Cosmo Girl! Magazine in which this column Cool Room is the monthly must-read section. Mark is best known for his innovation, remarkable creativity, and ability to inspire and motivate people.
Mark lives by his mantra that, “Creativity brings people together and doesn’t have to break the bank.” His incredible persistence and strong will to succeed have paved the way for him to connect with people and inspire them to be as creative as possible.
Tell us about your new book, and the inspiration for many of the ideas.
First, don’t let the title of my book, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts, throw you off! It’s referring only to its size and the amount of projects in the book and there was no other name that would work! After years of designing and hosting shows like While You Were Out, My Celebrity Home and She’s Moving In, it was just time to put all of those ideas in a book for people to enjoy. It was also a way for me to share everything I’ve learned from these experiences.
Where do you look for creative ideas or inspirations? Do you keep a sketchbook or note pad to keep track of your new ideas as they come?
I am truly inspired by everything from store windows to the way people wear their clothing. I literally sleep with a notebook in bed with me. Sometimes I wake up to things I’ve written with no recollection of having written them. I’m possessed by a creative soul that only comes out during my sleep. Eerie, isn’t it!
How would you define your work?
That’s a tough one. I guess I’d have to say it’s creativity through the eyes of a child with the tools of an adult. Meaning, I finally get to play with a welder and a drill press! Don’t get me wrong, my favorite craft is papier mache but it’s so nice to be able to use the tools my dad wouldn’t let me use when I was growing up.
When did you first decide to pursue designing?
It wasn’t a decision really; it was a way of life for my family. My mom is a painter and poet; my dad is a mechanic with a background in architecture. Our entire house was “touched” by my parent’s creativity and as we were able to join in, my brothers and I would participate in the process…anything from building our own fireplace to tree houses to faux finishing our kitchen cabinets. It was wonderful. I loved to sew and since my mom didn’t, that was my job. My dad did upholstery as a side job, so I actually learned how to sew from him.
What Krylon product(s) do you use the most in your work?
To be honest, every project has a Krylon aspect to it, from the clear coating to the spray adhesive to the color I choose to make it. It is impossible to say which I use the most. I am partial to the metallic sprays. They are wonderful…truly fantastic!
What are some of the creative ways you have been able to use Krylon products?
Ooh, good question. I like to try new ways to create effects. One of my favorite things to do is spray something one color, then spray it with water and then spray it with another color and see what happens. All of the wonderful variations and bubbles that appear. It’s so cool. I also love to spray paint the insides of glass containers. It always looks so good.
What is the most unique room you have ever designed?
The green room for Penn and Teller in Las Vegas. It has moving parts, cast hands and legs, huge monkeys everywhere and secret compartments to hide things. They loved it, and I loved it, too.
What future trends do you see for home décor?
Granny Chic. High Victorian. Art Nouveau. More opulence, less cold 50’s minimalism. More crafty.
After working with furniture, fabric and crafts all day, is it exhausting or invigorating to decorate your own home?
It’s invigorating. Everyday I have something new to goose up my house. I just hang whatever I made that day on the wall and the house just comes together, somehow, someway.
Do you have a favorite Krylon color? If so, what is it?
The metallic gold for sure. Hands down.
Do you have any tips for amateurs or newbie crafters?
Experiment and be patient. Glue needs to dry and so does paint. Have two projects going on at once so you don’t get bored!
Where, or from whom, have you learned the most from? What’s been your best learning experience?
Filming While You Were Out has been the best learning experience. I have learned so much from everyone; the carpenters, the TV producers, everyone has taught me something.
Are you currently working on any projects for teens?
I will be writing a new book with Cosmo Girl that will be released in late 2008 published my Sterling. I like to get people thinking about how successful they can be and bringing out their creative side.
You have said that you don’t like to throw anything in the garbage; is that a combination of wanting to protect the environment as well as challenging yourself to be creative with things most people consider garbage?
It is a combination of both. Environmental awareness is very good and needs to be done. My parents were tried and true hippies and we were always recycling and I think that recycling needs to be a way of life. In other countries, they don’t mess around about recycling. In some countries they have 8 different recycling bins for all different kinds of plastics and glass and all. They don’t throw away anything! Not to mention, it is a great resource. Recycled products don’t cost a lot of money and you can be very crafty with them.
On While You Were Out, what was one of your most memorable projects?
We created a backyard for a woman who had brain cancer. We were thinking that she needed a comfortable place to be and relax. After we were done, she loved the backyard and really enjoyed being her time there. It was a very good opportunity to do something very positive with the show.
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years from now?
I know exactly where I am going to be. I want to release another book – The Big Ass Book of Crafts Volume 2. I hope I get the chance to release volumes 3, 4, and 5 as well. I also want to have my own craft show. That is one thing that I am really pushing for. I want to let people know that you can take a project and do whatever you want with it. There are so many good, high quality products available now that make being creative easier. That is why I use Krylon…it is truly the best. Krylon is the only paint that dries properly and does not look tacky. You always know that the project will look the way you want it to.
What projects are you working on now?
I’ve been inspired by Tony Duquette lately and dipping fabric in plaster and a new product I found called Paverpol. It makes a huge mess, but I’m fine with it. Once the plaster is dry, I spray on the Krylon Clear Coat and then the paint color. The clear coat seals it and makes it easy to work with. I’m also working with altering things like plastic bottles and glass. We have so much of it, there has got to be a way to use it and create less landfill. Make a craft and save the earth I say!
Throughout his career, Mark Montano has enjoyed inspiring others to be as creative as they can be. He does this through his books, magazines, newspaper columns, and an extremely busy television schedule. Mark has a plan for success and will continue to be an icon in the fashion, design, and publishing world. To learn more about Mark, visit www.markmontano.com.
To view a sample project from Mark’s new book click here.
If you or someone you know use Krylon in a unique way, we’d like to feature you in a future column of You Did It! Please click here to email a little about yourself and how you use Krylon. You just might see yourself in an upcoming column.
