Cindy Whitman from Houston Texas
    My week spent at the APPRENTICE PROGRAM was as valuable to me as the other classes that I have taken and will continue to take at Faux Painting School. I was fairly new out of the COMPREHENSIVE FAUX FINISH class when I took the Apprentice Program. The only problem with that was that I hadn't had time to discover problems of my own to present, so I could find the solution to my dilemmas. But, I did take the class with several other students who had already had the experience I was lacking, so I still was caught up in the trial and error stage w2ith them. I not only learned valuable lessons and solutions to many problems, but also had a great time doing it. Oh, don't get me wrong, this is not for the lazy and meek minded faux finisher, but for the serious and dedicated student who wants their work to be the best. We spent many long days and sometimes into the night working projects as we were hungry to learn all we could. We laughed a lot and had a really great time.
    If you are wondering if you should take the new APPRENTICE class, my suggestion is to run, not walk, to the registration line. You couldn't find two greater people than Sher and Jim to take it with. Besides, Jim is a GREAT cook and, yes, you'll come away with some added pounds, great friends, and a lot of knowledge to use for your future.

Paulette Esselman from Austin, Texas
    I just had to write and share with you that I scored a coup! I snagged a powder room for a high end designer. I took my sample boards to a friend's home to show her my work. When I arrived, the same crew of painters I had seen before I took your class were in the house working. They were the ones who made me feel so intimidated before I took your class, and I even wondered if I could even do this AFTER I came back from your class. They stopped what they were doing so they could look at my sample boards too. They could not believe my work and they began asking me all sorts of questions like:  "What is that--it is so cool?" (green ice over green Venetian Plaster); "Where did you say you were trained?" "How did you do that one and where do you purchase your supplies?" And finally, "Hey you guys, we have a lot more to learn..."
    My confidence soared and I finally realized that the very first client I had who said my work was beautiful, really meant my work was beautiful! He also told me he has two more clients for me! I just wanted to pass on my compliments to the teachers who taught me. Thanks!
    (and later...) Thought you might like to hear what the upscale designer said about my VP job in that million plus home.  She said it was the most exquisite VP job she has yet seen and that it was so unusual (your Le Fleur design) which will probably become my signature technique.  I am so thrilled at her reaction.

Marjorie Wallace from Olympia, Washington
    I wanted to let you know how very valuable I found Sherree's class to be. I feel that my investment in your class has been the very best money I have EVER spent on my future in my whole entire life. After one week, I walked away feeling so inspired, I could hardly wait to get started on my future with all this incredible knowledge I had just acquired. Sherree's ability to teach was a natural and the portfolio she instructed us to compile has absolutely dazzled everyone who has seen it.
    Shortly after I got back from California (I had to go right back to work) I took my first opportunity to go and see my friend's new house....a huge Victorian about twice the size of their last home. I hauled my sample boards into her home with no intention of even selling them a job, only to share my accomplishment with my friend. Well, her husband saw them and he wants me to do his daughter's new room in one of my finishes. Can you imagine??? I wasn't prepared, hadn't created a name, put my work in a portfolio or was even thinking about doing work for them and here I was OFFERED my very first job. I walked out in a daze. But that is only the beginning. Of course, I had to invest in a portfolio to do my "work" justice and at least be professional in presenting my work. Then one day, a contractor came in where I work and I just HAPPENED to have my portfolio there that day. (It is ALWAYS a good idea to have your portfolio somewhere handy for people to see...even the trunk of your car) After I showed him my work, he told me I should go and see a friend of his whom he has a good working relationship with. Well, his friend happens to be a designer/builder who has done homes on the Street of Dreams and is well respected in our community. They LOVED my work! Today, I have my 2nd appointment with them and I am too excited to sleep. No way could I have even dared to dream that I could begin to do this before taking Sherree's class. She got into the nuts and bolts that very first day and I loved her relaxed and efficient way of instruction. And the business end of it all is just as important and I am finding myself reading and re-reading it to make sure that I am prepared to do business like a pro. Thanks so much Sherree for the most valuable week I have EVER spent on my Future. I can hardly wait to come back for the Venetian Plaster technique class and Marble classes. You made the learning so easy and instilled me with a confidence that makes me feel that I am realizing a dream. Thank you so much for a most rewarding week....And also for some fabulous lunches. Yumm! Just outstanding!

Debbie Francolini from Belle Mead, New Jersey
    Faux Painting School certainly filled my faux dreams.  What an extraordinary school with two extremely talented teachers.  They are both very relaxed & offer a homey yet inspiring, caring atmosphere.
    Sher is a natural born teacher with incredible knowledge who just oozes enthusiasm.  She shares all her trade secrets, tips and techniques that she has learned out in the real world. Sher claims to be teaching “techniques” but is in fact teaching so much more.  She gives you fabulous knowledge and the know how to do it all.  The five-day course covers so much it is unbelievable.  It was all done in a fun manner so no matter what we were working on we yearned for more and kept going because it was enjoyable not hard work.  Sher has a real devotion to teaching and cares about each student as an individual. 
    Jim is right up there with Sher in this whole endeavor.  His business course is top notch.  It has to be the absolute best of all out there because of all the details he put into it and shares it all on a CD to each student. Jim then gets in there and teaches the Venetian plaster class.  His devotion to teaching was right on par with Sher’s and he made sure each student understood the whole concept of Venetian plaster.  He was fun to work with was very patient and his knowledge is unmatched by anyone.
    Although I am a very out going person to begin with I left Faux Painting School with a renewed confidence that even surprises me.  This is the only school you will ever need to become a knowledgeable, confident faux finisher. THANKS SO MUCH Sher & JIM!!!!

C. M. Novess III from Farmington Hills, Michigan
The how-to and hands-on you learn are from real-world experience. They are the second most valuable part of what you will learn. The most important thing that Sher shows you is that you can do it!  Sher shares tips and techniques from her own practice that gives you an instant foundation to build on as you work. Real world exercises using real world materials with no system materials. The staff at Faux-Filled Dreams are the BEST!

Deanna Hale from Spokane, Washington
This class was the best money I've ever spent in my life. It was fabulous! Sher is an amazing teacher. Incredibly knowledgeable in both artistry and products, she has a gift for passing that knowledge along, as well as pumping enthusiasm and support into your veins. Thanks Sher! She doesn't just teach you the techniques, but between the business course and the million and one helpful hints she gives you, you have everything you need to launch into a new business. Their business class should be a must for any fledgling artist. If you want to succeed as a faux finish artist -- take this class!

Paulette Esselman from Round Rock, Texas
    A  "FAUXTASTIC" Experience: Six months ago I began my search for the perfect Faux Finisher's school.  My search on the internet took me to Faux Painting School in Mississippi and I began a 3 month email relationship with Sher and her husband Jim, owners of the school.  While reading one of her quarterly news letters and then searching past archives for previous issues, I knew this was the school I had been searching for.  The only problem was, I did not have time off for the classes scheduled on their calendar!  No problem.  Sher offered me private lessons and I took her up on the offer.  I let her know when I would have some time off from my work and she cleared her calendar.
    I flew in on Wednesday and started right in on Thursday breaking only for lunch. (On them!)  I didn't sleep much that night for all the techniques and information flooding my brain but I returned the very next day for another marathon of instruction.  This private class is custom designed for people who have limited time and want to take full advantage of Sher's expertise. 
It was "one on one", and even though the phone rang frequently and their door was "open for business" not once did Sher leave my side to answer a call or address a visitor. Her assistant attended to those duties so she could give me 100% of her time. Each sample I created and the techniques I learned were even more than I expected.  I left on Saturday with a professional portfolio that I could take to any designer.  The quality of my sample boards speak for themselves and give me the confidence and credibility to show them.
    I look forward to scheduling more classes with Sher and Jim.  Venetian plastering is right up there on my list.  Hmmm...perhaps another private lesson.  The business course is offered two ways and I will probably order it on CD.
    If you are busy, and you are creative, and you are looking for a school that is cutting edge--Faux Painting School is the course for you.  Whether you take the week long session or opt for private classes to fit your schedule I promise you that it is money, as well as time, well spent.
Thank you Jim and Sher for your undivided attention and devotion to teaching me your craft.
    May I one day make you proud that I was a student of Faux Painting School.

Lyanne Holte from Long Beach, California
    I took Sherree's 5 day faux finishes class in September of 2000 (Santa Rosa, CA school) and promptly came home and started my business part-time. Sherree's class gave me such a great basic foundation of knowledge about finishes, products and tools. Her class was fun and informative. I really believe that I have been successful because of the class time spent learning about the legal aspects, government requirements, and general business accounting information. All in all I think Faux Filled Dreams is a terrific school. My next classes will be at Faux Filled Dreams!!! Thanks Sherree. P.S. The lunches were outstanding.

Helen Carter from Starkville, Mississippi
    I learned a lot in your class about materials and techniques, but what I most value at this point is how you shared your philosophy about your business and empowered us to succeed in our own businesses.  It is a struggle not to be protective of your knowledge and to be open. I imagine it is quite a balancing act, but you have learned to share and grow with others - that there is enough success to go around and you that can actually benefit from the success of your student.  I come from a family of educators who really aren't faced with that particular struggle, so I have no one to look to in order to learn how to balance my own business interest with the interests and needs of others.  Without knowing how to do that, it is easy to err in both ways at the same time - which would be entirely unsatisfying and not very lucrative!  I appreciate you setting a standard for me. I just hope I can live up to it.  Thanks!

Dee Donaldson from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Have you ever taken a college course for $150.00 an hour and upon completion couldn’t really remember any new thing you learned that made a lasting impression?  Well, after completing Sher’s 5 – day course I felt liked I had graduated from college with a PHD, magna cum laude! I really enjoyed the course and learned tons! Fined tuned some skills and was ready to go do it!  The course was easy, educational and fun. The staff is helpful and friendly and all are supportive and encouraging. I highly recommend Faux Painting School and I plan on taking other courses myself.

Karen Schoen from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
    Just wanted to send you a thank you because I now realize just how professional yet homey your class was...I have a new appreciation for how organized you are in your classes. Also for the things you opened my eyes to such as NEVER to touch another artists work without asking.  And for feeding us well when I was there. I really appreciate these things because I took a class from a lady who has recently opened a "faux finish school" (name of school deleted - ed).  She was so disorganized. She was not ready for us when we got there.  She would come up and start using her trowel on our work without asking. Another student even came up and started doing the same thing to my work and oh wow I nearly lost it on that one.  She disappeared for awhile after that probably thinking what a hag I was, but I was horrified that someone would touch my work. Also this lady was very cheap when it came to  lunch.  One day she ordered one large pizza for five of us...and one of us was a man who I know must have starved to death with his two pieces of pizza that day.   The next day she complained because we wanted cheap Mexican food like we were asking for too much.   She was real spacey and kept saying she had ADD.  I finally asked her if she had taken her ritalin that day and she said "no," so she took one.  Actually I was kidding when I said that but she really had this problem...totally spaced out and never could find anything.  Half the time we didn't have what we needed and had to share things just to get done.  It was crazy.
     Needless to say I won't go back there anymore.  And the thing is that I don't feel like I learned much that I can use.   Oh well...I just had to thank you so much for the wonderful classes you have and just how very organized and professional you are.  And yet I felt relaxed and at home with you. THANKS guys!!!

Saskia Ewen Fox from Big Sky, Montana
    Since taking the comprehensive faux finishing course in May of this year, I have been too busy with my Mural business to complete my testimonial on the class! The 5 day course was not only enjoyable, entertaining and relaxed, it was very informative, educational and incredibly inspiring.  (For a poor artist, who had to think very hard about writing what seemed like a rather large check, I found it to be well worth it!)  After 4 years of being a part time muralist both in England and in the US, it feels like I have finally gained access to a world that I previously seemed slightly hesitant to “dive” into.  The class provided us with a wealth of techniques, know-how, material and product knowledge, useful websites, tax, pricing, business and marketing information that now enables us to go out and ensure a future in the art world.  Sherree is still willingly answering my questions two months after the course! I recommend this course to anyone, especially those of you who have always hoped for a serious career as an artist, but never had the confidence to go and do it.  You will be encouraged and inspired!

Connie Herrin from Alexandria, Louisiana
    I am a serious minded artist who truly wanted to be a faux finisher, but lacked confidence and competence.  After taking the Comprehensive Faux Finishing Course with Sher and Jim, I'm jazzed!  My confidence and competence have sky rocketed, and I am fully prepared to move forward with my business.  Sher has a gift of teaching and encouraging students, and am blessed to have attended this course. Blessings on you both.  I love ya'll.

Lori Bartlett from Washago, Ontario (Canada)
    I have been taking painting classes for approximately 13 years (tole/folkart painting), and I have been teaching for nearly 8.  I have never learned so much in five days.  These fun-filled, informative days have been the most educational to date.  I am thoroughly impressed with the business course and how professional it taught us to be.  Watch out Canada you have a new faux finisher on your hands, one who is very knowledgeable and impressingly professional.  Thanks Sherree, I appreciate all you have done for me.

Kevin Swisher from Prior Lake, Minnesota
    My wife Kate spent a lot of time studying every faux finish class we could find and decided that Faux Filled Dreams was the best. Not until after I talked to Sher at least twice and asked about things like class size, work space, if they were associated with any particular product, and many other things, I agreed that it was the best and made arrangements. Of course then I began to worry because when things sound to good to be true they most often are. As things turned out the school was way better than I ever imagined.

Emese S. Blount from Arkansas
    The unique and caring atmosphere is what really makes this school special.  The hands-on training I received gave time saving and valuable insight to specialized techniques and products.  My learning experience here will more than pay for itself on the first job.  And, about getting paid, Sher Galeotti's in-depth knowledge on how to land a job, from advertising to bidding, combined with Jim Galeotti's legal contractual forms and advice has given me direction and peace of mind I was sorely needing.  On a spiritual level, I feel more inspired than ever to continue with this career endeavor, thanks in large part to these two artists I believe to be at the front of the line in this profession.