Category Employee

We’re excited to celebrate Ian Hinz’s one-year anniversary with the Indiana Painting team! In just twelve months, Ian has become a standout member of our crew, bringing reliability, skill, and a great attitude to every job.

From Construction to Craftsmanship

Ian’s journey into painting started with his background in construction, but Indiana Painting was the first company to give him a start in the trade. He credits our owner with teaching him the most, both about painting and about work ethic.

Today, Ian tackles a balanced mix of commercial and residential projects and has quickly become someone we count on.

Why Ian Appreciates Indiana Painting

When asked what makes Indiana Painting different, Ian didn’t hesitate: he values that our team is “genuinely concerned with customer experience and not just a way to make more money.”

That mindset clearly shows in his work. One of his favorite customer compliments?

“I’m sure the company is happy to have you.”

And while Ian is serious about doing a great job, he enjoys the fun moments too—like a memorable “random group hug” on a job site.

Life Outside the Job

Off the clock, Ian’s world revolves around his family—great kids, unique pets, plenty of laughs, and “even more love.”

In his free time, he enjoys:

Road trips

Being outdoors

Trying new creative hobbies

Lots of BBQs with friends

Ian’s Pro Painting Tips

If he could only choose three paint colors forever, he’d stick with navy blue, light gray, and light green.

And his one piece of advice for homeowners?

“Don’t use black satin.”

This month, we’re celebrating Chris Cole, a painter who brings over two decades of craftsmanship and dedication to every job he works on.

Two Decades of Craftsmanship & Wisdom

Chris began painting in 2002, starting his career with his uncle’s new construction painting company in Carmel, Indiana. From those early days painting custom homes, he developed a passion for quality and precision that still defines his approach today.

When it comes to home projects, Chris shares a simple piece of advice straight from his experience:

“Sanding walls and using multiple coats of drywall mud is better than one big glob to repair a wall anchor hole.”

His favorite color to paint, perhaps fitting his preference for enduring quality, is gray—a timeless choice that complements nearly any space.

The Precision of a Master Painter

Chris has built up an impressive skill set over the years, but the technique he is most proud of mastering is stripe design. He calls this detailed work both his favorite and most challenging, particularly the project that involved creating precise lines using nine different colors!

When asked what makes Indiana Painting stand out, Chris points to the company’s culture, noting how much the team appreciates its employees and how everyone works hard to deliver quality results, even on tight deadlines.

In a hypothetical trade, Chris says he would switch jobs for a day with Bob, the President of Indiana Painting, to get a firsthand look at managing day-to-day operations and running the business.

Beyond the Brush: Team & Family

Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids. You’ll often find them camping, visiting waterparks, or walking the Blue River trails—always making the most of time together outdoors.

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!”