The Lost Art of Painting on Windows
80My Work After Several Years
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The Adventures of a Window Painter-the Fascination
When I was a little girl I remember being fascinated by those artistic paintings on windows that seemed to appear overnight around Christmas time - one day there were only panes of glass then the next day there were beautiful pictures painted on the glass of snowmen, pine trees, happy colors and holly berries.
Truly magical it was, to see those paintings appear seemingly overnight!
I used to think that whoever painted these windows must have been part of some secret Santa society of little elf painters, that came out in the dead of night to magically paint all the windows in town!
As I got older my fascination with these window paintings never went away.....
I always wondered who did these windows, how did they do them and most of importantly, when did they do them? I never seemed to be able to catch anyone in the act of doing one, so the mystery continued for me well into my twenties.
I was SO intrigued by these artistic paintings on windows that I even went out and took pictures of the windows, somehow hoping that by capturing these works of art on glass that I could somehow pin down who was doing these!
After my first son was born the mystery continued for me, even to the point that I decided one year that I was going to figure out how to do these windows, one way or another. So off I went to the art store in Santa Cruz to pick the brain of the clerk to get ideas on what paints I could use to paint some of these pretty windows for myself.
Armed with several bottles of tempera paint and brushes, I went back to my house feeling very satisfied, as if I had somehow just cracked some secret code into the art of painting windows. I mean after all, I had the paint now, didn't I ? All I had to do now was figure out how to do the actual painting , right?
Well Christmas came and went, the paints stayed in their boxes, and another year went by- my attention now onto other things. Armed with my pictures and my paints, I packed up and headed back to the San Francisco Bay Area, toddlers in tow (I now had 2 sons) - going through a divorce and seeking a refuge of my own.
It seemed like the elusive art of painting on windows was going to stay elusive, at least for awhile.
A few months after I settled down into my new place, I felt compelled to venture out one chilly night, with my 1 and 2 year old in tow, to take a walk through the outside mall downtown (this in itself was strange - as any mother knows it's no easy task getting 2 children ready for a drive, then a stroll, especially at night in the cold...it requires strategy, skill and perseverance..............)
So as we strolled down the sidewalk that cold chilly night, I saw what I thought was a mirage. In front of Nations Hamburgers were 2 women doing the unthinkable- painting a window.......
I just about fell out- I had finally caught them!! They were the ones doing all this mischievous merriment on the windows all this time!! There were actual real live people doing this!
It was surely fate that had brought me out that night.........
Not one to miss an opportunity like this, I struck up a conversation with the 2 friendly ladies and I asked them the questions I'd always been wondering about:
How do you do this?
How do you get people to let you do this?
Do you actually get paid to do this?
( It just seemed too hard to believe that one could actually get paid for having that much fun!)
After a very long talk with the two ( which I was quite grateful for that they took the time to even talk to me), I finally got enough nerve to ask them if they needed any help.
They told me that they didn't need any help but that they had a friend that also painted windows and she usually hired a person to help her every season. So they gave me their friends phone number and encouraged me to call her.
I went home that night on cloud nine. I had not only got to see the magic of painting on windows actually unfold before me, but I even had a possible chance of being able to be apart of the magic myself!
So the next day I called Lisa, their friend, and immediately her and I hit it off. Although she had already hired someone to work with her that season, she invited me to come and join her painting windows for the next couple of days.
So out came my paints and we met at a prearranged place. That day I actually started my window painting career.......and I think that day I must have made the largest holly berry in the history of window painting! The more uneven my holly berry became the larger it got until it was the size of a small basketball. Ever encouraging, my new friend Lisa just laughed and said ( "it's fine") I knew it wasn't but was encouraged by her kinds words to continue on in my endeavours.
Now armed with my paint and a little knowledge, I got very brave and went out for the next few days to several of the local stores, and talked a few of them into letting me paint their windows. That Christmas was the best ever!
Not only was I having fun but I was making money having fun! And I had a envelope full of money from my painting that I could actually use for Christmas, which as even more fabulous! My kids and I were going to have a great Christmas that year!
And we did.
Now what happened during the next year would change the course of my life- as painting art on windows not only became my profession but netted me a new husband too.
But you'll have to read installment 2 to find out about that one!
- Link To My Virtual Art Gallery Store
My BlogSpot which has some of my newest artwork in Adobe Illustrator CS2
Every Year I Tried New Things
My Work Was Usually Playful and Fun
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The Heart of the Artist
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This Was A Favorite Window One Year
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Comments
I enjoyed reading this hub, and the glass work is bright and cheerful, brings a smile.
Very cool...can you paint my windows to look like the back of my house so that when I am served with warrents they will just keep walking in circles?
What a gift you have. These are great. My mother and grandmother are artists, but I never got the gene. Keep on doing what you do. Blessings!
Great work and good photos of your art,craft,gift and a great sense of humour, all rolled into one visual package. The windows and your Hubs.
Great story Dorsi. I painted faces on little pumpkins for Safeway one year after one of their clerks had seen the ones I'd painted for my nephew. They didn't pay me for them, though. But, it was fun.
Thanks everybody for stopping by my hub- I actually haven't painted for about 5 years now - and this year I'm coming out of "retirement" to paint again- so it will be quite an adventure! I have missed the creative part of it- and the money was actually very good- if you can work fast and get the contracts you can get alot of work out there.
Wow, you do great window painting Dorsi. If you were here, I would hire you to do ours. :) Esp. in our preschool.
That was brilliant, see you finally achieved what you had been trying to do for years. Like you say it must have been fate. Its funny how we think about fate. If things good happen it makes it so much nicer. Loved you pics. Really enjoyed reading your article. It gave me and should give others a lift and encourage them to go after what you really want to do.
Thanks Eileen for the wonderful comment- I hope this does inspire someone to go after their dream- I believe it's there in all of us, sometimes we just have to slow down and listen to our heart to get direction.
I'm about to start painting again after a long break- it will be for more commercial purposes this time during the year, but when Christmas rolls around it's going to be for my artistic pleasure!
Can you come paint my windows? I live at.... I wish, I love to paint, but, it keep putting off learning more about it to get really good.
What a talent!!
nice hub.Pictures r excellent.
Jyoti
I do window painting. Travel from Key West to Ohio, WVA,Tenn, Georgia. Started back in 1990, had no ideal what I was doing. Started painting for Dennys. This is when I started to take off. Wendys came up afterwards. Painted 90 stores in 9 days traveled 3000 miles and never left Florida. Never in my life had I seen myself do a window splashing 7 color job with 18in. letters in 35 minutes. Never imagine I could paint 15 stores in one day. I listened to Bluegrass music the entire time. Had each stroke down to every beat of the banjo. People would ask me what kind of drugs I was taking. I would have the sign layed out and painted before the customers finished their eatings, or even getting up to the cash register to order. I would use 2 six foot ladders and a 20 foot plank. Set up this scaffold by myself, paint the sign. load up the ladders and plank, and be on my way in one hour. I was having the time of my life. Never imagined themoney I could make. I worked for an Aerial Sign Co in Hollywood Fl. I was drawing the banners and sometimes painting them. The banners were pulled in the air by airplanes. They were being shipped all over the US and other countries. I learned to layout a 20ft X 50ft sign in 45 minutes and have it painted in along with the layout in 3 hours. Now all I do is window painting, mural sometimes etc. Trained myself to visualize a 2in square piece of artwork to 1000 ft. I can not work with a grid. I can work with a scale drawing. Window Painting is a lost art. Hand lettering is going away also. It is getting kinda hard finding the materials now to work with. Nice job on the artworks.
What a relief to have found your hubpage! I have been going crazy for the last few months trying to figure out how to make some extra cash in window painting store fronts. Finances at home are getting desperate in this economy. I work at a daycare and I have been painting our inside doors and windows and many people have told me, I have the talent to make some money at this, but I have no idea where to begin. As I was reading your blog, I said "this is my dilemma!". I'm hoping you can help me...like you, I can't "catch" the people who are painting windows so there is no one to answer my questions. For instance what kind of paints to use? Do you have to add anything to the paint for cold weather? How long does the design last? How much should I invest to get started? What kind of brushes to use? Do you add anything to make the paint flow smoother? etc......I have painted the inside of our daycare windows with tempera paints but I have experienced some "cracking and chipping of the paint" since the heat/humidity is now present. How do I stop this? My biggest fear is getting paid to do a business store front and then having them call me and say the paint is chipping off or worse, the rain washed it off! Can you help me Dorsi with these questions? I am desperate and would be so grateful for any advise.
Thanks everyone who stopped by, sorry I have not had time to answer all of you individually, but I did want to respond here to Karen..... Karen, I would be happy to help you. I will be writing an e book about window painting later on but to get you started now,,,as yes making some extra money would be great and I am more then happy to help..... try NOT to use tempera paint, get some regular house paint (does not matter exterior or interior), and paint on the OUTSIDE of the glass if possible (much easier to take off) I use foam rollers from Lowes or Home Depot (the 3" and 6" for larger areas) Get some foam brushes with wood handles, and a couple little regular detail brushes (for eyes, etc.) Use some tarps ( I hate dripping paint on the front of someones store!) Christmas cards and coloring books are great places for ideas. I make my outline first in white, then come in and paint the color in, and do my shading last. Simple things to start out with are holly, bells, candles, happy holidays, snowmen, snow and trees. I would keep things simple to start, wait till later to do nativity scenes, reindeers, santas as those things can be time consuming ( unless you just have to try it!)
Peeling can be a problem but really more so with tempera... I have been through the school of hard knocks and yes going back to redo entire storefronts and it's not fun, so stick to acylics, and house paint........ and try to get some "theatrical black"paint for your black outlines- I use Cal West (there is a place called Mussons Theatrical in the Bay Area that has it- don't know about elsewhere though...)
Feel free to ask questions and let me know how things are turning out.......
Thank you so much Dorsi! Your suggestions answered so many of my questions. I am truly grateful for your help. I do have a few more questions, if you don't mind. How do I establish a price when approaching the store owners? For instance, if I just paint "Happy Holidays" with a few Holly's or bell's, what would be a basic price to ask? I know it would probably depend on how long it takes to do the design, but should I base it on say $15/hr, $25/hr? I realize as I get more experience and can do it faster, I will be able to see a better profit line but since you're the expert and have started out from scratch like me, may I ask what price you started off with?
Also, I read something about using "paint markers" for black outlines, is that the same as "theater black" paint?
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again for your great advise!
Hi Dorsi,
Well, I ventured out this past weekend to talk to some store owners. Only 1 out of 8 seemed a little receptive...somewhat discouraging as I just spent about $100.00 on painting supplies. I don't know if I am charging the wrong price, or if it's because this is a small town. I haven't seen any major seasonal designs in the past years. Besides the questions I asked in my previous post, I do have some more questions for you too, if you don't mind. The latex exterior house paints say not to apply below 50 degrees......well, I live in Illinois, and this time of the year, we're smiling if we can make it up to 40' ! Did you run into any problems with applying window paint in colder weather? Do you have to add anything to the paint?
I've been checking for your feedback everyday and I'm sorry to bother you but I could sure use your expert advise right now :)
Thanks so much! Hope you and your family had a Happy Thansksgiving.
Karen, I paint in California so weather has not usually been an issue, although there have been times I've painted in 40 degrees. The main thing I found was it just took a very long time to dry.
If I were painting in cold weather like that, I'd opt for doing alot of blending so I would not have wait for the layers to dry ( I usually put a layer of white on first- but mainly when I'm doing very promotional windows with floursecent paint)
My advice? I don't know what you are charging but just to get your foot in the door do a few windows for $25- $35. Just very simple things like some happy holidays lettering, some trees, holly or bells. ( or a simple snowman) As soon as people start to see your work the word will spread, and you will get more windows. Don't forget to put your name and phone # on the windows when done so people can call you- and they will!
Thanks again Dorsi, you have been a HUGE help. Guess what? I landed a window painting job today for a local Ace Hardware storefront! I'm doing a snow scene with some trees, a snowman and Happy Holiday on their storefront. Since they have 2 medium size windows and a double door, I thru out a price of $65. I showed them some pictures of the doors and windows that I painted at my daycare and they loved them and I got the job. Whew-hew!! I'm so excited :) my first gig! Just in time for Christmas!
I couldn't of done it without you Dorsi...I can't thank you enough for all of your great advise. I'll send you some pics of my art work. Thanks teach!
very nice work.. im trying to get started on this myself. You mentioned using tempra paint... is this what u still use now? I herd flat interior paint worked too but tempra sounds better. Im also curious if you use rollers for most large shapes and just brush for detail. Your advise would be greatly appreciated. tnx
sorry u anwered my quetions... I guess I should of read first....tnx
I have painted my own windows for many years and often thought about doing it for businesses at Christmas....Well, I just finished, not two hours ago, a friends nail shop....people came in "how cute," "Wow," and the business next door came in and said..."that's really nice....can you do mine? and how much do you charge?" Well, I showed a few pictures and got off the subject because I had NO idea how much to charge...suggestions? Certainly the size of the window..how much space....paints....etc....ANYWAY....how fun....
Its a very useful hub for all the beginners and newbies.. Thanks for the pertinent info Keep it up!
Wow! These are just beautiful. I have no creative talents whatsoever, so I'm very envious of your talents here. The reindeer is cute.
Hi there, I have a few questions about the house paint. How easy is this to get off and do the stores ask you to remove the artwork when the season is over. I went to a commercial art class and we learned to do windows with tempera and comet cleanser. I have done them off and on over the years and am thinking of starting up again to help with income. I have to admit the sound of house paint sounds "permanent" and I don't want to mess up a store owners window. I mixed my own colors of tempera out of primary colors, do you mix the house paint like that or buy small cans of it in colors, sounds kind of expensive to me. Thank you for your help on this and you have a great hub!
Cathy, can I ask you about the tempera and comet cleanser? What portions do you use and what does the cleanser do? I used exterior house paint for the Ace Hardware window storefronts. The paint comes off easily with a scraper blade without a problem. The store only asked how to take it off, once the season was over. I started out using the small sample paint jars available since there were only a few seasonal colors used around Christmas time. I also recently finished a 4 window job at a local restaurant..this is a blast!
Thanks again to Dorsi for all of your great advise!
Hi Karen, I was taught to put comet cleanser into my tempera paint by my commercial art teacher back in the 70's. He said this helps remove the paint easier. We use to cheat and just put a little in because if you put alot in it thins out the paint, I don't like it to be transparant looking. I can't give you an exact amount, its like cooking for me, alittle of this and that till the consistansy is good. I have been looking around at some of the work in my area and it all looks to be tempera, some very good work out there!
I've missed out on the Christmas season, but plan on trying for Valentines windows, got some of my supplies today. I was going to experiment on some glass around here with the house paint and slip some comet in it to see if it would come off any easier. I just don't want to get a customer upset about the house paint, I like repeat customers year round and have made some great contacts with my day job (can't afford to mess that up either!).
Thanks for the question karen and it sounds like you are off and running! Go for it!
Cathy
Thanks Cathy for the comet advise. I'm still leary about using tempera paints outdoors as I know they can wash off easily with water. But I will try a test window to see what the comet does. Our "zero" degree weather has put a damper on things right now, but I did manage to get 4 jobs before xmas. I also plan on trying for some Valentine's window's. Good luck to you too!
Thank you Dorsi for sharing your hub to get some great advise. How are you doing? Did you start up window painting again?
Karen
Hellow to my fellow artist, this was my 25th year painting on the windows thru out the northern illinois and western suburbs. I can paint an entire snow scene, snowman etc in under 5 minutes. You just learn over the years all the tricks and the main thing , There's not even 1 drop of paint that spilled while you paint. I came up with special trays. bye for now , keep painting Dan
Oh, by the way, I painted in 6 degrees above zero this year. I use the poster art oil base one shot paint. This will not stain the building when the elements start to rain etc. You don't want to paint on a customers building and then have it run over all the brick etc. If anyone has any questions. please ask I think that I can help my fellow artist out their thru out the United States. Thanks Daniel
I am happy to see your work, very interesting! I am doing almost the same but on walls...don't know exactly where it will bring me but i am happy with it!
Hi Pupufcu, where are you located? state, etc. I can show you a lot of cool new stuff. I am also putting glitter in my paint so the snow flakes looks real. I have flutes in plastic trays with the use of poly brushes. You would dry paint the snow flake effects. These flakes look real. I have a classic style that the customer base loves. I started to paint snowman playing the electric guitar with the amp ,cords ,etc. I have snowman drinking a glass of wine for a winery store front. I painted 318 stores this year and have 4 employees helping me. I also am a professional caricature artist, Their are 27 professional in Chicago land area. I learn everyday and I donate and spend a lot of time with the community. I have career days coming up for the high schools. I taught airbrush at Harper College for 2 terms. I had to give it up because I had 57 McDonald's on a quarterly basis. Talk to you soon , Daniel
Wow Daniel! You are a busy man! I live near Braidwood, IL, so, of I-80 and I would sure appreciate some advise, especially painting in this cold weather and how to land those contract jobs! I am a newbie to window painting. Do you have a website or email that we can correspond? Thanks! Karen
Hi Karen, glad to see another artist hitting the streets. Yes its cold. very cold the next weeks. I worked all day this past saturday. I was painting valentine hearts on the windows . The pizza places are marketing heart shaped pizzas for valentine day. With the recession all around us. Its our job as artist to help these customers out, representing their new products or specials. To get new customers in their stores. This will be a great year for marketing. If you or anybody has any questions.
Please email me:www.artistdan@juno.com
Daniel I hope you don't mind me emailing you but I could use some advice. I also paint windows. I use tempera paint on the inside. So I paint backwards to let it show threw to the other side. I used to use a powdered paint but they went out of bus. ever since that I have been having trouble with the paint peeling off. When you use acrylic what brand do you use? Also do you layer the house paint ? Ive heard of outdoor window painters putting white house paint or primer down first and then acrylic on top. Oh by the way I live in Sycamore IL. Thanks Val
Daniel,
I am in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and am just getting started in window painting. Is it more desirable to do the windows from the inside or from the outside? Is it better to use tempora, poster, or latex house paint? I've been using acrylics from the inside, but believe the outside would be alot easier. Thanks. Janet
Dorsi,
Does the paint stay well on the outside of the windows, and how do you remove it later? Also, if you make a mistake, can you easily wipe it off? Are there any special markers used for outlining? Thanks - your pictures are beautiful! Janet
Great post.
Janet, You have to use 1-shot paint for the outside of the windows. The problem with tempora or poster, latex, if it starts to rain the paint would run all over your customers building and also can stain the walls, concrete,etc. Another problem that I would like to bring up. When all the highschools paint their local towns, st. charles example. I had 10 complaints from the customers that had to rent a power sprayer to get all the paint off the building. When the window washer gets their art off the windows it comes off bubbly stainted water. The 1 shot paint comes off like a power because it is oil base. Since you are starting out, I also would also let all my fellow sign/artist out their, You have to check the windows from your new customers before you paint on them, You have to check to see if their is any type of tint or plexi glass. You can't remove or scrap the paint off these surfaces. You can check each window on the outside by taking a razor blade at the very bottom and push some pressure to see if their in any type of tint. I painted a McDonalds 1 time by the drive up window and the customer had put some tint on the outside of the window. The 3 x 3 window cost me $300.00. Be careful, you could get burned if you did all the windows on entire building that has tint on the outside. Some Restaurtants have the tint on the outside of the windows because they built the building walls around the boilers and stoves. It was easier to put the tint on the outside of the windows. Happy Painting to all. Their is a market out their.Dan
cjcs says:
13 months ago
That is great. Like you did, every year I say that I'm going to window paint, and I never do. I think it's that little-kid voice in my head that keeps telling me that I'm going to get into trouble :-)
CJ