Artisan of the Month
Allyce Lees

Art was a consistent factor in Allyce Lees life growing up.  Her mom was her inspiration.  She remembers her mom having painting groups at her home, melting crayons and having access to endless supplies.  Art was a huge part of her life and continued to be as she grew up.  She went on to major in art, learning about design and art history.  After college Allyce met Tedd Lees, who she married and then transferred her creative energies into starting a family.

Allyce became a stay at home mom while her husband was a Painting Contractor for a little over 20 years.  Allyce went on a rag roll job with Tedd and an idea to open a paint store began forming.  Shortly after, Allyce and Tedd opened up The Paint Store, Inc. in 1998.  Now this is not your typical paint store.  Just under 5000 square feet this is a paint store with a twist!  With Allyce’s heavy art background and her artistic talent there are treasures to be found everywhere!  With an artist once inspiration takes hold amazing things happen.  In The Paint Store, Inc. the variations of surprises will change from each burst of inspiration to the next.  One day glorious, colorful sidewalk chalk in beautiful murals can be seen displaying the new chalk they are selling to mouthwatering vineyard grapes adorning the walls and canvases painted by Allyce.  Myriad splashes of color in exotic or subtle shades on mosaic tile projects, stepping stones and decorative pieces strewn throughout the store add delight and surprise of finding something inspiring to create for a garden.  Customers are known to drive an hour and a half to see what new displays they will discover at the paint store.   Allyce really enjoys everything about their store, “I love working on projects at our store to inspire our clients.  People can come in, purchase the products or take a class on what interests them.” 

Always interested in education, Allyce says, “Education is critical in a formal way as well as hands on otherwise you will find yourself outdated as the dinosaurs.  There is always something you can pick up.  A little tip, a product combination or current trend of the color popularity can make a difference.”  Staying true to her beliefs, Allyce met Kathy Carroll through some other faux finishers in her area and took Mindy Harrell’s Canvas Creators Class at Kathy’s studio.  “Kathy’s expertise, diversity and wealth of product knowledge are inspiring.  She is able to stand behind the variety and is a resources for the products as well as how to use them.”  Allyce shares Kathy’s thirst for knowledge and ability to teach.  In 2003, she received her state certification in her spare time she teaches Introductory Faux Finishing and Texture classes through Fox Valley Technical College.

Truly unique, The Paint Store, Inc. is alluring to all interested in paint and art for any type of project.  Allyce furthers clarifies, “We are the traditional paint store but much more than that.  We offer inspirational ideas and classes as well as finished canvases and other art pieces for our customers.  From the do it yourself homeowner, to the professional painter and even large industrial projects we have something for everyone and we will ship our products all over.  We are offering something that is different and our level of customer service is great.  You can come in and grab a gallon of primer if that is what you need; there is something for everyone at The Paint Store Inc.”

For more information about Allyce Lees and The Paint Store, Inc. please call 715.256.0688 or visit 101 S. Washington St. Waupaca, WI 54981