Today we’d like to introduce you to Justino Guerrero.
Justino, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am born in Tijuana, Mexico and got married there. Then comes our first daughter Frida and then Valeria, my second daughter. I used to be a paint contractor in Tijuana. We learned that my first daughter Frida at the age of 3 was born with difficulty in hearing. I got desperate and decided to emigrate to the US in 2002. Unemployed and desperate for my daughter’s future, I decided to start a small handy man services business in Long Beach, CA. After that, I got really interested in abstract painting and minimalism art. One day in 2003 walking through the streets of North LA, I found this business that offered Venetian Plaster Services in Beverly Hills. I decided to enter and ask for a work opportunity. I talked with the owners and the next day I started cleaning spatulas and making sample boards for the clients. I learned to match colors and start playing with the limes and pigments. I got passionate of the beauty of the lime marble dust and the flexibility of the materials. I decided to recycle the waste materials and start making my abstract boards after work and over weekends with my 2 daughters. With the experience obtained watching the Italian Artisans, soon I become a plaster installer at the same company. One year later, the company owners separate from each other and the business changed. It’s when I decided to move on and start my own Plaster Business. After 10 years of great experiences, great opportunities came in my path like the exterior wall installation of The Cheese Cake Factory in Beverly Hills, The San Diego Copley Center Symphony Hall, and Anastasia Beverly Hills and local Interior Designers and home owners. Recently I was invited to participate in the installation of 3 abstract panels for the new international catalog of Ecla Decorations, one of the most important materials producers in the Spartan City of Taranto, Italy in May of 2017. Now my plans are to continue exploring new techniques and traveling all over the world in search of the Stucco di calce Ancient Tradition and offer my clients with the best imported textures from all around the globe.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not really easy, one of the most struggled situation over the road was that as an Immigrant, we have a lot of disadvantages but finally after 12 years, in 2015 I became a permanent resident of the US. And many good opportunities are emerging. I feel now really blessed because now I can see a lot of open windows.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Luxury Plaster Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
Luxury Plaster Studio is a small family business dedicated to the exploration of the Italian tradition for Grassello Di Calce (the Venetian Plaster Research). Our finishes decorate our designer’s walls with natural organic lime marble stuccos and pigments We also are exploring micro lime finishes over wood structures to create truly breath taking minimalist finishes like the polished concrete but without the heaviness of the concrete.
Our ultra-light line of tables is truly spectacular. We are truly proud of our small business because what sets us apart from others is that we learn our techniques from the most important South of Italy Artisans and travel the world in look of regional traditions to bring to our clients’ breath taking textures that will create soul and character in each of their walls and ceilings.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are looking to bring one of the most important Materials producers from the south of Italy to the US and import truly artisans to teach the new generation of future artisans.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.luxuryplaster.com
- Phone: 9497064329
- Email: [email protected]
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/browseReviews/tuscanplaster/luxury-plaster
Image Credit:
Ingrid Huber
Valeria Guerrero
Frida Guerrero
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