Gary:I appreciate your passion about the art and am happy to have found someone who shares that passion with me. I agree with you about the almost lost art of buon fresco. I am a researcher and teacher of decorative painting techniques in the US. And I too, get dismayed with the overuse of the use of the word "Fresco" in the faux finishing arena. In each of my classes I show a true, buon fresco piece which I have done, and explain the technique used to create such masterpieces as the Sistine Chapel & the Last Supper.
We must remember that buildings in Europe are made to breathe and it is common practice to use natural, breathable products like lime plasters and lime-based paints. In North America we value airtight buildings and discourage walls that breathe - thus we favor synthetic plasters, drywall, and plastic/rubber paints. Therefore, we must also remember that people like Debbie Travis are doing faux techniques with products most liked by and available to her audience. Albeit, some people perform these imitations better than others, but the Americanized faux techniques are representations of techniques done for centuries in Europe. I agree with you about the luminosity of buon fresco, but some might argue that the masters perhaps would use today's products if they had been available to them.
It is up to people like us to educate the public about these old techniques and foster their perpetuation in classical form. It is my goal to pass on techniques learned from master stuccotori to my students so they will value and appreciate these as I do and pass them on to future generations. I will quote you, if I may, to future students. Your candid statements are a wonderful, concise introduction to any workshop on plaster techniques.
Best Regards,
Rebecca E. Parsons
