Ehren Salazar and Chloe Gammon, winners
of the 2012 "Time Machine Guild Scholarship"

STRONG RIVER PAINTERS: PAINTERS, PLASTERERS AND ADVOCATES OF RESPONSIBLE DESIGN
Strong River is a New York City and Vancouver BC based decorative art firm. Specializing in centuries old Italian paint, fresco and gilding techniques, Strong River instills spaces with a living history. They create custom interiors for both residential and commercial projects and excel at translating a client's personality and vision into beautiful interior spaces.

Committed to using only environmentally and people friendly paints and materials, Strong River is a thought leader in this historically toxic industry. Using materials such as linseed oil and lime based plasters, Strong River is able to maintain a close connection with artisan painting techniques, while creating safe environments for people to work and live.

WHY WE LOVE SR
Strong River's work is stunning. More than that, actually; it is transformative and transcendent. But that is not why we initially came to love Strong River. Instead, it is the founder and intention behind Strong River that we find truly inspiring.

Strong River was founded by Edward McKeever in 2006. Created with the goal of using 100% non-toxic paint and responsible waste disposal, Edward had a vision for a more responsible and innovative painting industry. Since achieving this goal, he has begun to think about the evolution of Strong River and how to continue improving peoples lives through the decorative arts. Speaking with him recently, he shared some thoughts about the future of SR.

"My vision is to build a guild of craftspeople, using products that enhance health and safeguard  the environment, and to steward decorative traditions that make spaces beautiful." This guild, as he calls it, will be a community of tradespeople who are committed to maintaing traditions through apprenticeship of classical techniques and adherence to environmental standards. While formation of the Guild is still in progress, this summer Strong River announced it's first annual "Time Machine Guild Scholarship.” The winners, Ehren Salazar and Chloe Gammon, will recieve a fully paid scholarship to the Sinergos program, an art restoration workshop in Puglia, Italy. The workshop includes practices in Fresco, Canvas, Wood, Stone and Decorative paintings and plaster. Each session begins with an introduction, practical 'hands on' experience, excursions and lectures. After introductions which are common to all areas, participants choose a specific area of focus.

The Guild will eventually offer public education about creating safer built environments and support services to artists working in the trades. This kind of holistic thinking about how to integrate our passions into our jobs, and into the formation of strong communities is why we love Strong River.

CONTACT STRONG RIVER
If you live in the Pacific Northwest or in the New York City area, you should check out Strong River.

Here is a list of some of the services they provide:
- Eco Responsible Paints: European Linseed Oil, Clay, Latex & Hybrid Paint Application
- Decorative Art & Murals
- Lime & Earth Plasters. Under the direction of Mr. Tonio Creanza
- Staining & Varnishing
- Fine Finish Spraying Interior and Exterior
- Restoration and Scheduled Maintenance
- Gilding ( hand gilded ceilings and glass signage experts )
- Wallpaper hanging
- Custom Wooden Floor Geometric/Decorative Motif Painting and Staining
- Lincrusta Wallpaper Hanging
- Decorative and Historic Molding Installation and Finishing
- Environmental Disposal of Paint & Products