About Michele
The Studio, and the artist behind it.
The Studio
Michele Spaeth Watts, decorative artist
“I’m so grateful to share what I love — decorative arts and painting.”
Fine Art Finishes Decorative Arts Studio is located at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Linwood Avenue in a charming historic building. I also enjoy learning and training at decorative arts studios throughout the country!
Member of the International Decorative Artisans League · Society of Gilders
Professional memberships
A proud member of the decorative arts community
Connected with fellow artisans, gilders and designers through these professional organizations.
International Decorative Artisans League
Color Marketing Group
The Decorative Arts Trust
Veranda Design Society
Society of Gilders
The Gilding Arts Collective
KILLAM Colour system
Fine Art Finishes · since 1991
It only took 35 years, but here it is!
In 1991 my Dad came up with the name “Fine Art Finishes” for my Decorative Painting business — combining my BFA in Fine Arts and Paint Finishes. He was so proud that I used it!
I absolutely loved doing wall finishes, especially working with Dad through the years. He’d say:
Now my work is smaller scale — canvas, mixed media, gilding — and I’m pursuing other avenues in Decorative Painting, but I cherish all the memories of Dad… and still use his tools!
October 2025
“Just picked up the keys to my NEW Studio!”
4786 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati
A little background
From Xavier University to Fine Art Finishes
I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Xavier University. Upon graduating from XU, I travelled through Europe, then completed study at The Finishing School in New York City and started my business, Fine Art Finishes. I built an extensive portfolio of traditional, urban and contemporary wall, floor and cabinet finishes, utilizing a range of materials from stone and plaster to metallics, leaf and foils.
I continued study at Royal Design in San Diego, The Faux Design Studio in Chicago, Faux Effects Studio in Atlanta and Prismatic Painting Studio in Cincinnati. I worked with interior designers on numerous residential & commercial projects including Cincinnati’s Homearama, Northern Kentucky’s Homefest, various restaurants & wine bars, coffee shops, boutiques, salons & spas, country clubs, and Steve Madden Shoe Stores in four Midwest cities.
One of my favorite work/study trips was led by Gary Lord. A group of Decorative Artists visited Paris and worked in a villa located in the French Riviera.
Training & study
Always learning, studio to studio
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting
Xavier University, Cincinnati — followed by The Finishing School, New York City.
Continued study
Studios across the country
Royal Design (San Diego), The Faux Design Studio (Chicago), Faux Effects Studio (Atlanta) and Prismatic Painting Studio (Cincinnati).
Recently
Traditional Water Gilding with Charles Douglas
New York City, June 2026
Recently
MICA & Diamond Glass Certification with Tobey Renee Sanders
Atlanta, November 2023
I recently earned my MICA Certification in Atlanta with Tobey Renee Sanders and was accepted into her Decorative Painting Academy. Through the academy, I’ve learned incredible new finishes and techniques, participated in coaching calls with Tobey, and connected with fellow members through Zoom meetings.
Most recent training · June 2026
Traditional Water Gilding with Charles Douglas
Gilding is a skill I’ve always wanted to learn, but it was too intimidating! This past June, I had the incredible opportunity to learn Traditional Water Gilding from the very best — Charles Douglas, at his NYC studio.
While the process is still overwhelming and my gilded frame isn’t going into the “Gilding Hall of Fame” anytime soon, it was the first step towards my goal! I’m very grateful for his patience & expertise.
NEXT ON MY LIST TO LEARN
Sepp Leaf Products, New York City
Charles Douglas’s gilding studio
A few examples of Charles’ gorgeous work
Glass gilding, oil gilding, Dutch black frames & toned water gilding
From the family album
Years of finishes, and a few little helpers
Snapshots of Michele’s family in her Studio over the years
Selected projects
Residential & commercial work
Cincinnati’s Homearama
Northern Kentucky’s Homefest
Restaurants & wine bars
Coffee shops & boutiques
Salons & spas
Country clubs
Steve Madden Shoe Stores
Paris & the French Riviera
The ornaments
Paint, beads, sequins, trim and ribbon
I absolutely love creating hand beaded, as well as hand painted laser cut metal ornaments. The combinations of paint, beads, sequins, trim and ribbon are endless!