Cindy Testerink
Founder
& Instructor
About the School:
If you've ever wished you could pick and choose the finishes you want to learn. If you've
ever wanted to take a class but it wasn't available when you were. CADA is your answer. We tailor your classes so you
get the education you need, the finishes you want and all when it's convenient for you. We also offer traditional class formats.
See what is coming up on our calendar, but remember, if you don't see what you want or need, just ask and you shall receive.
It just doesn't get any better than that!
About Cindy:
It takes a special kind of passion to spend a lifetime creating
works of art, wether the work of art is on a wall, or in the sparkle
found in the eye of a student who "just got it" Cindy began her artistic journey early considering, mom, aunt and grandparents
were all artists. At 16 she already
knew her life would continue down an artistic path. She began painting in oils, acrylics and
watercolors, finding
something amazing in each medium. She was mostly self-taught until at age 25 she began taking
workshops at
the Beartooth School of Wildlife Art under the amazing instruction of Jessica Zemsky and Jack Hines. She had the
opportunity to study under some of today's great masters including: Mort Soleburg, Bob Kuhn, Rod Lawrence and many others.
She also enjoyed sculpting and apprenticed under the watchful eye of master sculpter Corney Martins.
Cindy
found her way to faux and decorative painting through a transition while painting murals. After taking her first faux
painting
class, she realized transforming a wall or a piece of furniture, is truly just as artistic in nature as transforming a
canvas. Cindy enjoyed several years of faux finishing and decorative painting in her custom finishing company called Pixiedust
Designs.
During that time, she was asked on several occasions if she gave faux or decorative art lessons, and so sparked the
concept that brings you CADA.
Cindy founded Carolina Academy of Decorative Arts in May of 2005 and the school opened it's doors
in July of 2006. It is her
desire to bring students of the arts a different kind of school. One that caters
to their wants, while providing for all their artistic
needs. The only school of it's kind, one that will take the class
to the student, or work around their hectic schedules, because she
understands that sometimes life gets in the way. Her goal is her students creative success. Cindy loves sharing her knowledge
and experience with her students and
prides herself in giving the most complete and practical training that will set them above
their competitors and give them
the confidence and knowledge they will need to reach their dreams and goals. She continues
to be available to
her students after class as well, because she feels that it is her honor to support and encourage each one of
them as they
accomplish thier dreams and goals.
Cindy is the president of the Carolina Creative Artisans group, which is the NC chapter
of SALI (stencil artisans league inc) and
was the original organizer of the Raleigh-Durham Faux and Decorative Artists
meet-up group which began in 2005.
To learn more about SALI visit our Links page.