Don't think, just hire Gene and his amazing team. Their attention to detail, skill, and general friendliness was worth every penny. I literally sit around in our new house and just enjoy the paint job! They finished our whole house in a little more than a week and it couldn't look nicer. Kristina. F. 

I worked with Gene for my new house. He is really nice guy and easy to work with. He came to my house multiple times for test the color, super patient! We finally found the best white for my house, and Gene and his team work on it even beyond the schedule so we have a enough time to move in without any cross, 5 stars service! The color turn out really pretty and so smoothie. Gene also help us fix all the holes and re-touch the trim and ceiling. He used the best quality product and top skill! -Yang R.

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Gene and his team helped my house paint twice. One was 2018 when I moved into the new place, and recently he helped me fix the ceiling cracks of my house. He was always patient, supportive and professional. I was in rush to list and sell my house, and cannot find any handyman can help in one week. He squeezed a time to help us and get everything done in one week. Fixing the cracks on ceiling was a mission impossible for us as the ceiling paint was 10 years ago and cracks just on a very bright light exposure place. He helped us find the exactly matched color and fix the cracks like magic! You cannot see anything from any angles. I really appreciate all his help and would like to recommend his team to everyone!  - Xuanyi Z.

What a professional, yet pleasant experience we had with Artist Painter. The consultation on color choices through the eyes of a true artist, and experienced painter, was well worth every penny and more. Gene's attention to detail, meticulous preparation of the areas to be painted, and patience with answering all our questions, just confirmed the decision we had made to book Artist Painters. Adding Poppy to the crew on painting days increased the skill and expertise we had learned to expect. By the time Gene and Poppy left, all our hanging artwork had been replaced, the house was cleaner than when they arrived, and we were able to just sit and enjoy our new surroundings. I would not hesitate to recommend Artist Painter.  - Carole A.

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We got the keys to our new place on a Tuesday, and knew we only had 9 days to get quotes, hire a painter, and get our job done before the movers came. Our project was a tall order - 8 rooms, 2 bathrooms, two stairways, a large hallway, and lots of trim. As we met with other companies, we scaled back the scope of the project to be realistic - there's no way anyone could get all of that done within our budget and timeline, right? Enter Gene and his team. While some companies flat-out told us there was no way the project could get done, and others were non-committal on how much time they'd need, Gene was confident and clear about what he could accomplish and upfront about costs. At the beginning of the project we decided that 6 rooms and 1 bathroom would be more realistic given our timeline, but seeing how quickly they worked, Gene took every one of my "Ok what if we added the hallway?" and "Hmm, do you think you could also do the front bedroom and upstairs bathroom?" texts in stride and got. it. all. done. In 5 days, Gene and the Artist Painters crew painted our entire house, top to bottom; on-time, below budget, and with smiles on their faces and complete composure the entire time. Gene's approach to his clients is unique and refreshing. It's very much a collaborative experience, where he listens to your questions and concerns, addresses them with care, offers professional input, and takes extreme pride in the work he does. Buying or renting a new home, renovating, moving, and other major life changes are stressful. With this type of project, it is so reassuring to know there's a company out there with integrity, attention to detail, and whose people are personable to boot. I've hired other painters before and while they did excellent work, they always came in over what the estimate was. That matters! Gene was always transparent, always realistic. No surprises, other than being far more efficient than I could've imagined. I cannot recommend Artist Painters enough. I can honestly say I would use them for every painting project I have moving forward, without even considering other companies. Thank you Gene, Mike, and the rest of the team!  - Leanne L.

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Gene and his team were amazing! From the quote to completion of the project, they were professional organized, kind and fast. Gene helped me pick colors as well. Their work was outstanding!!! They painted our entire place within 1 week! The price was well within the range of other painters but their work was superior to previous painters we have used. I would recommend them very highly and without hesitation! - Aloka P.

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Gene and his crew are incredible! We worked with him on our first home so we knew nothing going into this. He walked us through all steps and took exact measurements of the place to give us options on cost. Most thorough quoting process which helped us pick and choose what we needed. Not only did he make the process easy, he gave us an incredible suggestion to try something unique as an accent in the bedroom and he CRUSHED it! We did an ombre wall that took a lot of skill to blend colors and it looks great!!!! Highly suggest Gene and the Artist Painters crew! -Tyler W.

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My daughter and son-in-law used Gene last summer at their condo and recommended him to me. Gene and his crew were amazing. To start, Gene was timely in answering my emails for an estimate and I appreciated when we walked through the space he evaluated the ceilings and trim and if it was necessary to have those done as well. He was great about working within my timeline. Gene and the crew were so respectful and tidy in my space and even took down all the wallpaper in the bathroom. My new space looks and feels like home thanks to the stellar work of Artist Painters. I highly recommend and will certainly be passing their info along to friends and family. – Mary C.

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Gene and his crew did an amazing job on our new house!! They painted the house from top to bottom (walls, trim, and doors) before we moved in. He was responsive and within the ballpark of several other quotes. I felt most comfortable with Gene as he took precise measurements and offered great suggestions and insights. When we came to the house while the painters were working, they we very respectful and seemed to enjoy working together. I also love Gene ethos - true conscious consumerism!! Highly recommend Artist Painters and already have a few future projects in mind for the team. – Katie D.

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To start, I have no idea what a painting company costs on average, nor do I have any idea how long it takes to paint. So... We were looking to have our new condo painted before we moved in, virtually top to bottom and with different colors in each room, and our neighbor was having painting done by Gene and his team, so we took the referral and scheduled a walk-through. By the end of the 45-ish minute consult, we were absolutely sold. Not only did I understand that Artist Painters pride themselves on their craftsmanship and high quality materials, but they have a mission that supports the arts (hence the name, now I get it - PLUS), as well as charitable causes (BIG PLUS). I left the consult feeling good that we went with a company with a "Pay it forward" model. We sent Gene our colors via email on Saturday, and he must have gone to the paint store on Sunday because he and his team were there at 8am on Monday. By Wednesday, 1pm, the entire place was painted in the most rich, luxurious, and saturated colors that I have ever seen. Every aspect of their work was not only impeccable, but it was as if they were never there; not a trace of what can only be described as a miraculous transformation was left behind. Back to my initial point that I truly have no idea what the average painting company charges; it really doesn't matter because I will always go to Gene when I need painting done. Always. Thanks for turning our vision into our home, Artist Painters! – Jeremy S.

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We hired Artist Painters after a bad experience with a different company. Gene was great to work with through the quoting process, and did a wonderful job with our painting, some of which was a faux finish that they matched well. Every day, we came home from work to find more paint done and everything clean and back in its place so we could easily live in our house during the job. While all the rooms looks great, I feel especially happy about how the dining room turned out. We have white trim and a deep blue paint on the walls, and they chiseled away many many layers of old paint and made crisp lines between the baseboard and walls - really nice work. So glad I found them and will definitely hire for additional work in the future. – Jill D.

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Gene and his team are amazing! We are perfectionists about painting, and Artist Painters exceeded our expectations! (Plus left our home immaculate.) In addition to painting, Gene also assisted us with the paint selection, and matching some old paint colors that we loved. After seeing the quality of his work, we asked Gene to stain and finish new custom-built bookcases installed around our antique quarter-sawn oak fireplace mantle. The match is fantastic!!! The bookcases look like they were built with the fireplace - no easy feat considering the age and density difference in the wood. Great customer service, nice people, and excellent work! – Molly F.

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What I thought might be an insurmountable job was just another day for Gene. I had a large built-in that I wanted to look like it had been there since the house was built in 1880, but in a modern way and not too busy. He nailed it! Second task was not as easy: French cast iron fireplace front and top, both different in color and because of age had rust spots. I cannot believe how well this piece turned out. Super happy with the outcome. Seems these Gene & his team can tackle any job and I'm trying to figure out what's next for them. Highly recommend! Side note: he was very accommodating to my small zoo, making sure to protect the painted areas and my animals. – Molly M.

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Amazing from start to finish. We needed painting done in a very short window between getting the keys to our new condo and moving in, and Gene and the AP team delivered what we thought could be a 3-day project in about 1.25 days. I don't have enough good things to say about the experience...we needed some help knowing what we wanted, so if you're looking for expertise/color consultation along with superior craft, they can deliver on that front too. The work notwithstanding, Gene is a hell of a nice and thoughtful person--and the business mission of giving artists a sustainable way to make a living while they create art is an honorable one we loved to support. Without hesitation, I recommend Artist Painters--and will be calling upon them for any future projects! – John B.

Artist Painters was an absolute pleasure to work with. They were dependable, pleasant and did great work. When I didn't like what colors I chose, they were adaptable and helped me change directions with ease. They also took it upon themselves to apply caulk and fill gaps on my 117 year old house that I didn't know were there. My house is transformed and the experience, considering exterior painting is not cheap, was wonderful. I highly recommend and will use again. – Michelle J.

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Love these guys! As an architect, I have worked with them on numerous commercial projects and have always loved the quality and professionalism from the AP team. They worked on Tuco and Blondie, creating interior and exterior murals. We have a happy client, community and architect! I have also used Gene and his team on my house. Always super clean, respectful of my home and its content, on time, fair priced, and always ready to make everything just right. If you need painters, they should be your one and only stop! – Jean D.

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Gene and his crew did an amazing job on my new home. He not only moved me up on the list due to a postponed project, but he also completed the work in ONE day. Other companies gave me higher quotes and a longer period to finish the work. The service was excellent and the finished product was amazing. I am very happy with the result, so much so that I plan to hire Gene again for the areas that were not painted. I've already passed his info along to other people! I definitely recommend.  - Joy P.

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Gene and his crew at Artist Painters did incredible work. My apartment has high ceilings and a lot of areas that are hard to get at, but they got in to all of the nooks and crannies. And because my apartment gets a lot of direct sunlight, any flaws in the painting are easy to see, but I have yet to find any. They were extremely meticulous in their painting and the minor pre-painting repairs, and also cleaned up thoroughly when the job was finished. I will definitely go with Artist Painters next time I have a painting job. – Tom E.

Great work at competitive pricing by super nice people! Really these guys are just the whole package. We hired Gene and crew to paint 2 kids bedrooms and our living room accent wall. There was a lot of old water damage and various dents and dings that they first had to fix. Now when you look at these rooms you'd think they were brand new. We were really indecisive about color and Gene helped us the whole way. In the end my 8 year old chose 'rainbow' as her colors and they came in and did an awesome rainbow mural for her. Both kids have not stopped bragging about their cool rooms. Hire these guys immediately! – Mindy H.

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Gene did an amazing job on our nursery and bathroom. We wanted an accent wall with a herringbone pattern painted on the wall and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out. His team had a big task of painting all of our trim and molding, ceiling and walls. In our 100 year old house the walls are not in the best shape and they did a great job making them look the best they can. Gene was very professional, showed up on time, and communicated all aspects of the project to me. We would definitely recommend to family and friends. – Maria D.

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We had Gene paint the metal staircase at the rear of our two-flat. It was quite rusty due to the salt we have to use to keep the ice clear. He arrived when he said he would, his crew worked hard removing the rust and prepping for the new paint, and the work was done well within the time frame we required (our tenants were on vacation). We are planning to hire him for additional work, and would strongly recommend him. – Dennis H.

We were two weeks out from moving into our new place when our originally hired painter canceled on us! Luckily, we received some quotes and Gene and his team from Artist Painters won out. Gene, David, and Andrea did a great job with our condo, taking it from dark and drab to bright and new. They were accommodating, thorough, and clean. They also were flexible with their time as we had some separate issues arise while they were working. We would certainly use them again in the future. – Spencer B.

I loved working with Artist Painters. Gene was incredibly dedicated and informative throughout the color-selection process, and in the end, his instincts were on-point. His team was personable, careful, efficient, and flexible with scheduling, and about a week after our initial consultation, I stepped into what seemed like a brand-new condo. I plan to work with them again in the future. – Jaran M.

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Gene began our business relationship by giving us two gifts: a sample bag of carefully thought-out donations for the homeless, and a chew toy for our dog. My husband and I looked at each other and thought, right away--this is the type of person we want to do work in our new home. We purchased an older home in historic Rogers Park. The house needed a lot of TLC to remedy decades of neglect. We interviewed several contractors who were able to paint, and were then referred to Gene...and thank goodness! Gene came in and was able to not only paint, but do beautiful restoration to our dining room chair rail and the woodwork framing our doors. He also did a great deal of repair to our walls--sanding, patching, drywall... The entire house just looks refreshed and revitalized. Once we moved in, we noticed that a wall needed repair. We called Gene and he did so immediately! He also asked us about an update to our mantle and constructed an absolutely beautiful piece to go with it. Gene is not just a business owner--he has a vision of what art is and should be, and sees that come to fruition in the work done by his company. His dedication to the quality and integrity of his work is unmatched. Gene will not only exceed your expectations in terms of the quality of his work, but is delightful to have in your home. He is neat, kind, and respectful of the space. We cannot recommend him enough. -  Joelle S.

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I cannot say enough great things about Gene and his work. I was on a very tight deadline with trying to list my condo on the market. Within three days, Gene did a quote and performed the work. In fact, he was the first painter I solicited that actually called me back. Once he arrived, he was thorough, did excellent work, and was so easy to work with on the project. He took the stress out of a project that could have been a pain. I'd recommend him to anyone and will definitely use him again. – Todd K.

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We recently hired Artist Painters last week to paint our condo unit in Bucktown. The price was very competitive compared to other companies and Gene was very easy to work with. His staff was very knowledgeable about paints provided great feedback about upkeep and maintenance. We had a short window to get this job done before we rented out the unit and Gene's team worked us into their schedule and completed the job before our requested deadline. The walls and ceilings look amazing, couldn't be happier with the job. I will definitely be hiring Artist Painters for future jobs needed with this unit, very happy with the experience. – Drew R.

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Highly recommended! Gene went over every single step we had to go through, from quotation, choosing colors, process, and invoicing. He gave us a detailed quote which includes every single part of the job, from walls, trims, ceiling etc... We were very undecided with the actual colors we wanted and helped us pick out which colors we want. He made it so much easier and made everything fall into place. He (and team) did a very nice job and was very detailed in their work, he suggested and walked us through almost every single part that are complicated than usual. If we needed additional work done, it was no problem, he got quotes for the additional work the same day... He also did additional details and sections for free. As well as free touch ups. 10/10 would hire again...  – Phil T.

Gene and his crew are great! I reached out to him last minute and he was able to fit me in within his busy schedule. They showed up on time and very organized. They were very professional, kept everything organized and clean, they moved all the furnitures and put everything back, most of all, the paint job looks great! They did a very thorough job, clearly painted with care. Very reasonable price too! Definitely would use them again if I have paint needs in the future. – Amy B.

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Gene and his crew were awesome! They squeezed me into their busy schedule with short notice and then showed up on time! They also got the job done in the time they allotted, and the price was very reasonable. They were very tidy too! Gene gave great suggestions for paint colors and finishes and really educated me on the whole subject. Thanks Gene! I would highly recommend Artist Painters. – Jori F.

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I recently used Artist Painters to paint my entire condo. I closed on a Friday and wanted to move on the following Monday. The condo had been rented out by my seller's for the past several years, and the walls and baseboards needed some TLC. Gene and his team were able to accommodate my schedule; they were extremely neat and efficient - they did a fantastic job! On top of it all, Gene has a heart. When I dropped off my keys, he gave me a bag of food items, toiletries and clothing to give to the homeless (www.care-bags.org). I've already recommended Artist Painters to a colleague, and will continue to spread the word to anyone needing a painter. – Lea Y.

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What an awesome guy this is! I contacted him because my husband and I were having trouble deciding on a neutral color for that long wall that connects the living room and kitchen but is almost the whole length of our flat. After looking at interior designers' prices for a color consultation I knew we needed to go a different route. I looked at some posts on Every Block and decided to contact Gene. He came to our place and gave some suggestions and a handful of tips on painting since we are DIYing it, and did not charge us a dime! I did make a small donation to his charity, he created... did I mention he was awesome? We have not painted yet, but hey, he came like 3 months ago and I'm just now getting around to writing this review. Maybe subconsciously I'm waiting for us to have enough money to pay Gene to paint it for us. – Amber O.

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We used artist painters this week to paint a number of rooms in our house. I can't say enough good things about our experience. They were extremely efficient, clean and did an incredible job. I will be telling anyone who needs a painter to use them and we will also use them again for our future painting needs. You MUST hire them!!!!  - Jack C.

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Our HOA hired Gene and team to re-paint the shared hallway in our 3-story walkup building. They were fantastic and I would absolutely hire Gene for any future jobs I may need. Gene came in and provided a detailed estimate that was lower than another quote we got, and also provided color recommendations which was helpful since we didn't know exactly what we wanted. He was able to start pretty quick after we agreed on everything and they completed the job quickly and with high quality. He was very professional, on-time, and a pleasure to work with. - Kunall U.

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Gene and his crew did a beautiful job painting our fireplace mantle and shelves. Great work, professional, fast, detail oriented, and friendly. I would highly recommend Artist Painters again. Thank you Gene!!! – Pat B.

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Gene and his team did a wonderful job painting our new home. They were on time, professional, friendly, and finished the job in half the time other painters quoted us. I can recommend them without reservation! – Jeremy P.

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I don't write reviews often, but Artist Painters deserves a big shout out for transforming my new house into a beautifully painted home! Gene and his crew painted the entire interior of my 100-year-old house, taking pains to repair quite a few ugly cracks and holes in tough to reach places (including a coffered ceiling!). On top of the high quality paint work, Gene spent multiple hours with me to help pick colors. As a first time home owner I was so grateful to have his expert eye guiding me to the right palette.
To recap:
- High quality work
- Happily helped pick colors
- Repaired icky walls/ceilings
- Finished the job on schedule, even with the addition of some add-ons to the work mid-project
- Allowed my toddler son to constantly mess with their boom box without complaint. Highly recommend, and will definitely reach out to them first for any future painting needs! – Rachel A.

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I usually take on my own home improvement projects, especially painting, because I have never found someone whose attention to detail mirrors my own.  I am grateful to have connected with Gene and his company.  Their passion, attention to detail and outstanding customer service makes outsourcing truly enjoyable. – James C.

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I have hired Artist Painters for my painting projects the past 10 years.  They go above and beyond my expectations every time.  Gene and his crew are beyond precise, clean, quiet, and affordable.  I can't pay them enough compliments.  They are not only the best painters I have done business with, but the best company I've done business with period.  Hands down the most skilled and mindful painters in Chicago. - Rick A.

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Gene and his band of painters are a delight.  Obsessively detail oriented and professional.  I needed the trim and window sills on my house painted ASAP and they did an AMAZING job. Very communicative and friendly. Vote for Artist Painters! – Mary F.

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Gene and team were GREAT!! Gene was very responsive upon my first call; he booked an appointment for the next day to visit our home.
The job consisted of 6,000 square feet of interior home that was last painted 35 years ago. The job entailed scraping peeling paint, plaster repairs, priming and painting walls, ceilings, trim and doors. Gene was very patient in helping with paint color selection and the various paint types for each situation. His team removed all paintings/pictures, moved all furniture and replaced same. The most amazing was the fact that each day the painters would clean-up (vacuum) all such plaster dust and paint scrapings. The price was more than fair for the value we received. To top it off, Gene is a very thoughtful and nice guy! – Bill W.

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After the company we originally hired did not return calls to finish our home we reached out to artist painters to complete 6 rooms of our home 3 bedrooms 2 baths and family room. Gene came out 2 days after the call measured and I had an estimate by the end of the day. We decided the cost was right for our budget and I immediately said yes this was a Sunday evening. I was elated they could start on Wednesday and right before the holidays. We had colors in mind however Gene helped us refine our choices and made wonderful suggestions as they are the pros. I took the advice and all turned out great. We added in some plaster restoration as well we had some large ceiling cracks, they were repaired and not even visible Gene has a method that blends with old plaster beautifully so it looks as if it was never there. We are planning in the spring to have two more done this way as well. The work was outstanding and fast it took 5 days for the job keep in mind it was trim, doors, ceilings and walls and one exterior door, along with repair work. Also clean up was over the top they moved all furniture and put everything back in it's spot as if it hadn't been touched, I found this impressive. Also they vacuumed carpets before replacing furniture this was a great value. Lots of attention to detail. Our home feels like ours now and everything looks like new. Thank you Gene and the team for a job well done. – Jeff A.

Truly A++++.  Gene came out and gave me a very fair and thorough quote, and finished ahead of schedule.  He and his team painted my whole Condo in Logan Square, and I trusted him to select the tones and the place looks fantastic.  Artist Painters are the only people I'd recommend from here on out. – Joesph F.

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Gene and his team are total pros. He came in with a very reasonable estimate; made knowledgable color and product suggestions; worked in a timely, thoughtful manner; and finished early and under budget. This is a team with exceptional attention to detail. They take great pride in their work, and I would recommend them for any job, large or small. – Bob W.

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I requested quotes from several different companies.  Artist Painters had the most reasonable  rate and  were also the most professional during the initial process. Gene came out to measure  for the estimate  and made  some great color suggestions. He even looked at some poor caulking work that had been put around the windows previously and made some suggestions about how he could remove it and seal the windows with a more finished look.I am so glad he did!  He and his team did an amazing job painting the apartment and sealing the windows.  The place looks great!  I will definitely hire Gene and  his  team for any future painting projects. They were fast and efficient  and so easy to work with. I will definitely recommend them to all my friends and family if they ever need painting work done. – Cassandra D.

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We recently hired Artists Painters to paint a few rooms in our house.   Gene and his team are amazing!  They are fast, punctual, reasonably priced, honest, very personable and great at what they do.  Gene has mastered the dying art of customer service!  The experience was very pleasant and rooms look fantastic! I have recommended them to friends and definitely will use Artist Painters in the future. –Penny R.

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I hired Artist Painters twice- these guys are the best! Fast, thorough, trustworthy, reasonably priced, tackling the little things that I wouldn't do, but that make a huge difference in the end product. What more could you want? Oh, and they're really pleasant while they're in your home! – Amy E.

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I had Gene and Artist Painters in to transform practically evey room in my house.  EVERY room was wallpapered - they stripped away everything and helped me choose wonderful colors.  They were the most professional painters I've ever used - kind, courteous and a joy to have in my home.  I wake up every day and smile at how beautiful my walls look now.  I highly recommend using them - you won't be disappointed with this great team.  In a nutshell, they are AWESOME!! – Mary H.

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A++. Smart, honest, and totally went the extra mile. He knows tools, materials, homes and customer service. -  Hannah J.

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I had the great pleasure of working with Gene Pellegrene of Artist Painters on making my recently purchased condo a home. Gene was incredibly helpful during the color-choosing process, helping me sort through color decks and finding the ideal color for each room.
Once he got to work, Gene was thorough and professional, getting the project done quickly and working around my slow move in the week leading up to the big move in day.As a fellow Chicagoan and business owner, I love how passionate Gene is and how much love he puts into what he does. I highly recommend Artist Painters to anyone looking to recreate their home with the help of experts who truly care about their customers. -  Kate H.

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Gene did an amazing job painting my house and garage. Great, thorough job... He really stands by his work. Next time I need a painter, I know who I am calling! – Jeff S.

 

 

 

I have used Artist Painters at least 5 times and will continue to use them and recommend them most highly. The team is so professional and courteous - you will not find better. They are terrific and choosing colors with me and finding solutions to challenges. They even painted my cabinets and they look brand new. My new home looks spectacular...they did every single room and each are beautiful.
In addition to painting interiors of two homes (they cover and move all of your furniture...and put it all back in place!), they have also painted our exterior, restained our buildings decks and painted a decorative old door in multiple colors. They are all so talented and trustworthy. Honestly there is no other contractor I would recommend so highly. PLEASE USE THEM...you will not be disappointed. – Kathy K.

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Our experience was absolutely fantastic!!   Not only was the work done beautifully, they also provided fantastic suggestions about colors.  I would have done the same old thing, but Artist Painters gave me a more beautiful home!  I plan to use them from now on. – Lori M.

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Gene and his team painted nearly every room in our house. They were timely, professional and so easy to work with. We are delighted with the outcome!  - Shelly M.

Amazing work!  Extremely neat, professional and courteous.  They painted my homes interior from top to bottom.  I am thrilled with the outcome.  Artist Painters produces high quality, detailed work with true passion behind it. – Leigh Ann M.

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I'd been intrigued by the flyers for Artist Painters but didn't know what they did.  Then, out for a morning run along Logan Boulevard, I spotted a garage painted in bold geometric designs and great colors.  I stopped to take a picture, and saw another flyer for Artist Painters so I called and talked to Gene Pellegrene. I'd just installed a stainless steel stove hood (nice) but the exhaust duct work was galvanized sheet metal (ugly!) and I needed to hide it or make it look good somehow. I asked Gene if he could do a trompe l'oeil and he readily agreed.  I didn't know what I wanted, but I thought something cartoonish, or industrial, or steam punk or maybe Brazil (the movie) would work.  We settled on turning the galvanized sheet metal into heavy cast-iron rusted steam pipes.  I think Gene toured some abandoned factories, and came back with sketches that impressed me, so we agreed on a price and he got to work. First let me say that the work is amazing!  I think you can find pictures of it on his web site.  But what really impressed me is the way he worked.  I've lived through some home construction projects and they're disruptive as hell.  So when Gene showed up in the morning, took pictures of where everything was before starting work for the day, then cleaned up *every singe day* and put everything back exactly where it had been (he had the pictures, remember?) it just blew me away. I honestly don't know if I paid a little more than someone else would have charged, and I don't care.  I got what I paid for and then some.  I don't want to give any spoilers, but there was an extra surprise when the job was done. I'm completely happy with the whole experience, and I'm sure you will be too. – Craig L.