Just a little paint

Since I was a teenager, I’ve painted. My parents have painted houses in my home town for about 40 years or so now with no signs of stopping. I have many fond memories of raising a paintbrush alongside one or both my parents (and typically several of my siblings) in order to earn a little extra money. There’s something really interesting that happens when you’re stuck next to someone when you’re painting. You communicate. You talk out loud about things that really matter to you. Some of life’s greatest lessons were handed down to me from my family while one or many of us was perched high atop a ladder. These are a few of the lessons that I learned during those stifling hot summers in Eastern Oregon:

• Family memories don’t always fit the stereotypical mold.
• Quality is a form of integrity. If you do it right the first time, you might not need to do it again.
• Always do your best. That is what really matters.
• Hard work won’t kill you and will more likely lead to excellent work ethic for a lifetime.
• Just a little paint can make a world of difference.

Painting has always been a sort of therapy to me. The act of gracefully moving the paint brush over a surface and watching it evolve into something new is calming and soothing. Just a little paint and you can see things in an entirely new light.

Just a Little Paint Project

A tattered mirror I upcycled with just a little paint.

Step 1) Make sure the surface of the item you’re painting is clean and dry.

Step 2) Tape off any areas that you don’t want to paint with masking or painters tape.

Step 3) Pick up your favorite color in a can of spray paint.

Step 4) Completely cover the item from front, top, side, etc.

Step 5) Let dry. Enjoy!

Happy Upcycling!