Our MasterMinds Program
MasterMinds is an elite group of Modern Masters pros that come together to dream up and conceive beautiful decorative painting and DIY projects.
If you’re interested in being considered for our MasterMinds group, please complete the submission form. We’re excited to hear from you!
Mary has been an artist and designer for over 20 years. In 1993, she received her BFA from Buffalo State Collage and began teaching art and photography at the secondary school level. In 1996, she founded her decorative painting company Focal Points Inc., a diverse artistic painting firm offering a wide range of decorative painting techniques and services for both residential and commercial markets. From decorative painting, murals, Antique Mirrors and custom canvas commissions to color consulting, art direction, and scenic and stage design, Focal Points has the experience to tackle any project no matter the size.
Focal Points Inc. is dedicated to the excellence and mastery of decorative artistry working with the unique needs of builders, designers, and private clients. They offer an extensive portfolio of techniques which allows them to create, integrate, and achieve any style, finish, and color combination a project demands. Focal Points is devoted to taking great care and consideration of each client to ensure the project meets every expectation.
Mary and her company is dedicated to mastery of product knowledge, knowing the proper tools, products, and techniques is critical to the success of project budgets and time-lines. She continues to update training on both national and international levels to continue to provide clients with latest styles and trends in the industry.
Focal Points work has been seen in several publications such as Orlando sentinel, Florida Kitchen and Bath, Architectural Digest and was the “Top Job” first Place winner for American Painting Contractor. Some of their more notable commissions include Sea World, Ritz Carleton, The Four Seasons Hotel, and The Hyatt International Airport to name a few. The company has taken immense pride in working with many of Orlando’s most renowned Builders, Designers and distinguished Clients.
“The tremendous pride we take in each individual project is unmistakable in every job.”
Katie Gaines graduated from The University of California, San Diego with a B.A. in the Visual Arts, and has worked professionally as a graphic designer in the advertising, marketing, comic book and investment/finance industries, before starting her invitation design and decorative painting business Love Paper Paint (formerly EITAK Design).
Love Paper Paint is a one-woman shop specializing in PAPER - stationery design: custom wedding invitations & ensembles; birth announcements; social correspondence; unique stationery; party invitations & printed goods. PAINT - decorative painting: murals; faux finishes; stenciling; specialty plasters; hand-painted furniture. Katie also accepts commissions for: custom artwork; illustrations & paintings; hand-painted gifts & home decor accessories.
With over 20 years of professional graphic design and decorative painting experience, plus a synergetic relationship with a talented network of interior designers, contractors, wedding planners, event coordinators, printers, web experts and industry professionals, Love Paper Paint’s offering of creative services is continually expanding.
Love Paper Paint has received mentions in various magazines including San Diego Home & Garden, Better Homes & Gardens, Ceremony, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Serendipity and Exquisite Weddings.
My husband Aaron and I share our home in San Diego with our two boys, Mason (12) and Isaac (10), and our Frenchton pup Gizmo. I practice yoga daily and Aaron & I run half marathons together. I volunteer as the Art Docent at my son's school, teaching art to his elementary school class. After Isaac broke his arm in 2013, I discovered a little niche in painting casts and have been able to use my art to make something cool out of a bummer situation and cheer some kids up. For the past few school years, I've impromptu sketched on Isaac's daily school lunch bag, which are a hit amongst his classmates. We are a family of "foodies" and love to visit art museums and cultural events, as well as run races and explore San Diego's many scenic hiking trails and beaches.
Debbie earned a BA in Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, concentrating on painting (really) and I have spent 90% of my entire career as a full-time artist - though her focus changed over time. She is a book illustrator, graphic artist, art director, photographer, writer, faux finisher, and DIY blogger.
Many professional faux finishers and decorative artists know her from events like the annual ArtFusion Event, where she is an instructor teaching various techniques and products, including Modern Masters.
Debbie writes and photographs creative blog posts for paint and product brands like Royal Design Studio's Paint+Pattern, Artisan Enhancements, Wood Icing™, Modern Masters, Fusion Mineral Paint and more.
Behind the scenes, Debbie works on social media marketing, websites and email blasts for her clients who are primarily independent shop owners. At times, she helps them design a new shop or revitalize an existing one, including floor plans, merchandising and vignettes, wall finishes and photography - whatever it takes to make it magical.
Debbie self-published Color Inspiration notebook for Creating Gorgeous Painted Furniture, available for individuals to purchase and wholesale for shop owners. She has also been featured recently in Fifi O'Neill's BOHO Style magazine, Matthew Mead's Upstyle Home and Wagner's FINISH magazine, not to mention Where Women Create.