One mom, a paintbrush, two kids and a love of art has earned Susan Weeks some serious face time in the painting community.
Susan Weeks became the first woman to grace the cover of Pro Painter magazine in the spring issue for her work with her company, Susan Weeks Painted House.
“It was pretty weird to see my face on there,” said Weeks.
Weeks has been a subscriber to the Ottawa publication for 10 years.
“I just wanted my kids to be proud of me. I have never had a picture in the newspaper or magazine before,” said Weeks. “They thought it was cool.”
Weeks says that Pro Painter was excited to work with her.
“It’s pretty cool. They sent me 20 copies, so I’m going to keep some and frame one of them,” said Weeks.
Weeks, who resides in Armstrong, has been running her company for 15 years. She paints houses, hotels, ski lodges, furniture and bathrooms. There isn’t a project that she can’t paint.
Prior to painting, Weeks spent 10 years as an executive secretary for an oil company in Calgary.
“Working in four walls wasn’t for me,” said Weeks.
She quit her job to start up her paint company and moved back to Armstrong 12 years ago.
Weeks says she got into painting years ago in order to get a discount on rent.
“I would paint the house or apartments I was renting. That’s how I gained basic painting skills,” said Weeks.
“I love to paint, it can be so quick. You can go into a blank room and within an hour and a half you got something nice,” said Weeks.
Weeks hopes the magazine cover will help stimulate more business, but doesn’t see any expansion in her future.
“I just like to do it all myself. I really like to do the painting and I like having my name on the company,” said Weeks.
