CHICAGO, ILL.- "Artist Painters" is not your ordinary painting company. The Chicago based LLC is the latest art piece by artist Gene Pellegrene, 38. The concept behind Artist Painters was to form a painting company, utilizing artists from all creative fields to execute high quality interior/exterior painting projects for their customers. This painting company functions as a way to financially support the participating artists, pay them a generous wage and subtly raise art awareness one project at a time. The artists involved are all experienced house painters as well as relevant artists in their communities either as visual artists, musicians, actors or artists of other means of expression. Artist Painters embraces the philosophy of the "local living economy" by taking an ethical and socially responsible approach to business and its artists. The goal is to serve the common good in the community, rather than simply focus on increasing profits.

"This is the most complex piece of art I have ever conceived", according to Pellegrene, who's work for the last 20 years involves the spreading of art awareness and empowering the arts. Artist Painters functions as a means of earning a living in a creative environment but at the same time, has the ability to influence peoples perceptions about art and what art can do. One aspect not advertised, almost every painting job has a piece of art that is created from that particular experience and given to the customer as a surprise gift. The art to be given is conceived during the hired painting project. This art piece can be sculptural, two-dimensional or written, etc. The art piece is dictated by the experience the artist has during the process of the painting project; an exercise in being open to making new forms or subject matter that may not have occurred otherwise. Art pieces of the past have included work journals, documenting the experience of the painting project, paintings, collage or furniture. One example of an art object made was formed from an interior painting project with a couple and their 4 year old son. During the project the son became an obvious influence to Pellegrene with his humor and his questions about painting. He also expressed he'd like bright yellow walls in his bedroom but his mother had other ideas. The little boy also loved making art. The piece of art made for this project was a small oak art table and stool made by Pellegrene and finished with subtle bright yellow accents. "The art table was a fictional piece and on another level it demonstrated a very personal, relationship based piece of art. It was an example of the power of art, how it can bring and spawn memories, relationships and appreciation for those relationships." states Pellegrene. The art objects created are very specific and personal to each household or relationship between the artist and the customer/project. The result is art that is created exclusive to that project or moment, which could very well influence a greater appreciation for the arts for the customer or heightened fondness for their particular hired project. It’s the introduction as a painting company that allows Artist Painters to meet new people and have an audience in this very specific environment, allowing for a number of artistic happenings, both seen and unseen by the customer.

Artist Painters wants to remain "small" in their ideology while helping to support as many artists as possible. "This ideal only works under the conditions with the highest quality of workmanship" according to Pellegrene. Artist painters gives free quotes in the Chicagoland area on all interior/exterior painting, murals, deck refinishing, wrought iron painting and more.