A couple of years ago I needed some paint to freshen up display plinths that were showing signs of wear. At the time I discovered that I could access paints for up-cycle at my local recycle depot. I needed lighter colors like whites and creams for this project and found that these shades were available in abundance. Surprisingly I also found that there were lots of high end paints and stains and that cans were at times up to 80% full. Since then I frequently used this resource for all my small handy-man projects and I have saved a bundle on not having to buy expensive paint and stains.

This resource is truly an untapped goldmine and I highly recommend that artists, art teachers and all the “do-it-yourself” weekend warriors access this resource. Obviously you cannot “shop” for an exact colour or shade but my experience showed me that there is an abundance of base colours that can be easily manipulated to suit your needs.

Jan de Beer, Gibsons, BC

Painting murals together with youth is valuable in and of itself; it beautifies and strengthens their connection to a space, it builds relationships, and it allows for creative expression of what's important to them. This value is amplified when the materials used, such as the upcycled paint available through the PaintShare program, directly supports the message of the work, creating impactful full-circle projects.

Jaymie Johnson, Vancouver, BC