Artisan of the Month
Gary Riley
Rooster’s Wall Designs
Tinley Park, Illinois

Gary Riley began painting and hanging wallpaper right out of high school.  After 15 years of doing the same thing, he realized he needed a change and began taking faux finishing classes in 2000.  Around the same time, he started Rooster’s Wall Designs.  Gary says he enjoys being in business for himself because of the control that he has over his business, finances, and ultimately his future. 

He has a passion for beautifying homes, and enjoys the relationships that he has built with his customers.  He has gotten to the point with many customers, that they let him steer the project completely, choosing his own colors and design to compliment their space.  Also, his reputation through word of mouth has begun to precede him.  This allows him to quickly build a trusting relationship with new customers. 

Along with faux finishing, Rooster’s Wall Designs also works with other artists to provide for all of their client’s needs.  In addition to walls, Gary also provides finishes for ceilings and cabinets, and hopes to soon move on to floors as well.  When asked about his favorite technique, Gary speaks of a finish that he is working on with muralist Oleg Smirnoff.  Gary originally saw this technique while in Maui; only the artist was working on a canvas, not a wall.  First Gary applies Celestial Gold Leaf to the wall, and then Oleg Smirnoff paints a mural on top of the leafing. 

Some of Gary’s other favorite techniques are Ostrich Skin and Venetian Plaster.  He says that he loves working with textures.  He is currently learning the Cassiopeia finish from Kathy.  He also enjoys working with metallic paints and gold leaf.  Some of his favorite products that he purchases from Kathy Carroll are Cassiopeia, Venetian Plaster, Celestial Gold Leaf, Schabin, and metallic waxes.  He loves working with Celestial Gold Leaf “because of the way the colors explode after polyurethane is applied.”  He is also looking forward to the opportunity to bring a new product to his clientele, Bold Granite.  Recently Kathy contacted him to ask him to come experiment with the new product.  He comments, “It can be applied to wood work, counter tops, garage floors and more.”  Getting to experiment with new products is another facet of his job that Gary enjoys.  He says, “I like to be an innovator and find new uses for products.  There are so many beautiful new products coming out, so it’s fun.” 

When asked about what he likes to work on he comments, “I like working on residential jobs.  It is rewarding to see the client’s reaction to their new space.  It’s an enjoyable way to make a living.”  He says that he really does not have a favorite job, but says that he enjoyed working in the Shadow Ridge subdivision on a few homes.  He also spoke about a multi-million dollar addition that he is finishing for a client.  He has also provided finishes for other areas in her home as well.  Gary takes great pride in his large number of return clients.  Word of mouth is some of his best advertisement.

Gary places a lot of value in education.  He says that he has done a lot of one-on-one work with Kathy Carroll and her staff at the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes.  He says of his experiences there “I like the ability to just go in and learn the finishes that I want to learn.”  He continues on saying “I like to learn new things.  It’s exciting, and it adds to my portfolio.”  He plans to continue taking instruction from Kathy and her staff.

Gary says of Kathy, “She is an awesome artist, a huge help, and a great innovator.  I enjoy working with her and learning new things from her.”  He says that she calls him when she wants someone to come test new products with her.  He enjoys this because it gives him the ability to experiment with some of the newest products on the market and be among the first to bring it to his customers.  Gary also speaks very highly of Kathy’s staff saying “they all help out and work hard to do their best for you.”

For more information about Gary Riley and Rooster’s Wall Designs please visit their website roosterswalldesigns.com.  You may also contact Gary by phone at 708-289-7728 or via email at rooster42@sbcglobal.net.