At Indiana Painting, we’re proud to highlight the people who bring dedication, craftsmanship, and heart to their work. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on James Sands, who has been painting for nearly 25 years!

James first picked up a paintbrush at just 12 years old. “The first summer I painted I was 12 and worked on repainting the interior of an IU professor’s home.” From there, his skills and experiences grew. The next summer he found himself working on a Menards in Lafayette, painting walls, dryfalling the deck, and even learning how to operate a forklift and scissor lifts. One of his favorite memories from that job was getting to work alongside his grandpa. “We had our share of busted sprayer hoses and paint spill cleanups, but I learned a lot that year!”

Over the years, James has faced challenges that became valuable lessons. One he’ll never forget happened at a car dealership. “Probably the time we got overspray on lots of cars at a car dealership—this was very stressful… Bob kept his cool, I kept my job, and we all pulled together to run dozens of cars through the dealership’s car wash. That’s where I learned what a clay bar is.” Experiences like that have shaped James’s steady approach to problem-solving and teamwork.

What keeps James motivated after so many years in the field is the pursuit of true craftsmanship. “The longer I am in the field, the stronger the feeling is that I should be a true craftsman in all aspects of the job. Having nearly 25 years of experience, it would be a shame to me to perform at the same level as I did when I was 10. The kind of work you do reflects and shapes the respect you have both for yourself and others. I also want to be a good example to my coworkers and to my children.”

His advice to anyone just starting out reflects that same philosophy: “Don’t look for an easy job, look for one you will be proud of. Be honest, engaged, respectable; ‘whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might.’”

Beyond work, James has plenty of stories and interests that make him who he is. Not many people know that he has two middle names—Jonathan Mark—or that his travels have taken him to countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond.

At home, James is a devoted family man. “I’ve been married to my wife Ande for 6 years. We have 4 kids: Douglas age 5, Howard age 3, Edna age 2, and Russell age 5 months. We love being outside, planning and working on our home, and often daydream about buying a farm and becoming farmers (that’s not going to happen). The kids love stopping in at Indiana Painting for a visit.”

When asked what he enjoys most in his free time, his answer comes easily. “My favorite activity is playing with my children, or working at home with my children!”