Moving from house to house, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, every few years was standard fare for Anthony, whose father is a talented European carpenter and whose mother was an adventurous real estate agent. Immersed in varying styles of residential architecture and fluctuating interior design trends, it was little wonder that he was drawn to architectural coatings upon graduation from UBC.

Trained by a Dutch Master, Anthony quickly grasped all areas of the trade with a demanding eye for perfection. When Anthony isn’t fretting about exceeding the expectations of every single client, you’ll find him charging up the right side of a soccer pitch, swinging weights around at the local YMCA or sipping coffee hunched over the weekend Globe & Mail.

Hailing from the vibrant capital city of Mexico, Jorge has been a professional artist and educator for over 20 years. Little wonder that it took Jorge only 2 years with us to become a 1st class paint craftsman.

His attention to detail, determination and unreserved courage transferred seamlessly from wooden easel to wooden ladder. And his wrangling of students and patience as a teacher have made him what some would describe as a natural leader. When Jorge is not painting with a level of furiosity and beauty akin to Van Gogh, you’ll find him photographing cityscapes or diving into the fruits of European cinema.

Born and raised in Romania, Chris cut his teeth in the trades working with his father as a carpenter and drywaller. But these skills in the end would not define him—not even close. His intelligence, curiosity and courage have propelled him throughout most of Europe and North America where he has lived, worked and immersed himself as a true local.

Speaking in one of five languages, Chris will happily explain to you the elegant motions of skim coating a wall, the precise swiping of a bead of caulk or the gradual turning of the wrist to brush cut that straight line. When Chris is not mentoring our apprentices, you can find him firing backhands down the line at the Stanley Park Tennis courts or Spey casting a scandi line along the shores of the Squamish river.

Growing up in a family with a professional painter for a father and grandfather is tantamount to being born with the skills in your genes. Just ask Scott: as a chemistry graduate from the University of British Columbia, he’ll tell you exactly what DNA is all about. Scott has quickly become the “go-to guy” for all questions chemical, or just complicated. His intellect and curiosity have made him one of the finest sprayers and wood stainers around. When Scott is not spraying out a set of doors that would rival the finish on a Ferrari Enzo, you’ll find him knee-deep in water, fly fishing; developing the ultimate Bolognaise sauce; or negotiating the ski hills of our local mountains.

Born in the Big Smoke. Landing in the Big Rain. By way of the Big Green. Arthur is originally from Toronto but spent pretty much his entire childhood in Brazil with his parents and only recently has made Vancouver his new home. His methodical nature, steady hand and keen eye have lent themselves perfectly to our trade and Arthur is on the fast track to becoming a senior craftsman. When he’s not laying down a silky smooth oil finish on a windowsill or rolling out a barrel-coffered ceiling, you’ll find Arthur scoping out new street art or taking in a local music festival.

Raised on a farm in rural Holland, Hans is no stranger to working with his hands. Once in Canada — after stints at Chrysler Motor Corp. during the heyday of auto manufacturing and as a ski setter at BC mountain resorts — he eventually discovered his true talent in the painting trade. The brush quickly became an extension of his right arm, and his precision in “cutting” is unrivaled. When Hans is not infusing beauty into the surfaces that surround us, he can be found scavenging the aisles of Capers for organic treats; snapping pictures of skylines; jogging; and steaming at his local gym.

With over 50 countries branded in ink, Lee’s passport reads like a Marco Polo adventure. But instead of collecting spices and salts along the trade route, he’s collected traits and habits. He applies plaster like a Venetian artisan, cuts like a Japanese Samurai, scales ladders like an Amazonian warrior, and moves like a Tibetan horseman. But at the end of the day, he’s English; and thankfully he and his 15 years of decorative finishing has settled in Vancouver. When Lee is not leading the charge on a big project and being the master finisher that he is, you’ll find him sitting in a pub, pouring the perfect Guinness as he watches his missed ferry disembark. He’ll catch the next one.