Connie
& Randy Cotita formally formed Studio Abbellire (in th U.S.)as
a full time venture in the mid nineties. After majoring in art in
college in the late seventies, they were involved always in the decorative
field. Even as Randy did a decade long stint as a police officer,
they worked in the remodeling and decorating of homes, with Connie
always having art related projects going.
Connie began working with local decorators and designers and immersed
herself in the industry, using the opportunities to expand her knowledge
& experience. Having worked together in the remodeling/decorating
field for years part time, when Randy decided to quit the police department,
they opted to go full time and created Studio Abbellire (pronounced
ah-buh-leer-a). Abbellire is an Italian word, which means, “to
adorn or make beautiful."
They took additional classes from teachers across the country and
honed their skills working with discriminating and talented designers
and decorators in areas such as marbling, wood graining, gilding,
applied ornament and custom carpentry projects. . They are particularly
fond of creating faux "pietre dure" pieces and custom furniture.
Randy has been trained in the application of plasters made by Safra
of Italy and Armourcoat of the U.K
In the late nineties they were commissioned to assist in the decoration
of the recent installation in an antebellum style residence, of the
reproduction moldings from the palace of Catherine the Great. The
moldings were part of a museum display that were a traveling venue
of many museums throughout the U.S. The moldings were auctioned off
at the end of the tour and local homeowners purchased them. Connie
& Randy repaired, gilded, helped add accents and preserve the
plasterwork. They then proceed to many other portions of the home
installing & gilding new applied ornament..
A
major inspirational turning point for them occurred in 2002 when they
received invitations to the International
Decorative Painters Salon hosted by Vigini Studios in San Antonio.
While attending, they saw the immense talent and camaraderie of some
of the finest of decorative artisans. They desired for others to see
and share the plethora of talent and availability of products available
to the industry. For that purpose they created a web site call InfauxWorld
as a service to all.
In
2005, Connie and Randy were invited to display their work at the Salon
gathering in Philadelphia hosted by Ross O'Neal, and again in the
2006 Salon hosted in the Netherlands by Jan Berghuis and Cornelius
Sheer of the Nimeto Art School. This was an amazing venue and opportunity
for all artists attending. Many Salon artists, including Connie and
Randy had their work selected for display in the M.C. Escher Museum
in The Hague for 3 months.
In
October 2007 the two were selected to be among 65 artists from around
the world to particpate in the "Meeting
of the Masters," hosted by Faux Effects International in
Dallas, TX.
Their
works have been displayed in Delta Style magazine, The American Painting
Contractor, Artistic Stenciler, SB Magazine and the local News Star.
October 2008 their work was displayed in "Designer Faux Finishing"
a book by Victor DeMasi.
They recently contributed to and their work was featued in Garly Lord's
latest book which is now released, called, "Simply Creative Finishes."
In 2004, Connie reworked 33 pieces of donated furniture by adding
decorative finishes. The pieces were auctioned off for a charity called
"Night of the Child," which helps fight child abuse. Connie
has been a member and certified stencilist through the Stencil Artisans
League, Inc. (SALI) since 1998.
Currently
Connie & Randy are now based the Maritime region of Canada after
moving from Louisiana where they were traveling and working in homes
and condos along the gulf coast.