Patterson Painting Company Profile

hat truly sets Garen Patterson, of Patterson Painting and Decorating apart from others as an excellent painting contractor with superior workmanship, quality and professionalism, is his artistry. Garen's eye for color, light, harmony and the interaction of these elements are part and parcel of any painting project he undertakes.

When You Love What You Do...
A Bay Area native, Garen was born in Oakland amidst the post-World War II boom of prosperity and burgeoning creativity. His father was an architect who designed many well known large-scale, public-use buildings, including Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa, California. Naturally, having an architect in the family helped shape Garen's later career choices: he attended California College of Arts and Crafts, receiving his BA in Fine Art in 1973.

Before graduation, he came to Sonoma County with the desire to bring his artistic skills to bear on quality house painting. His first job was a house in Petaluma on Kentucky Street which is home to a well-known row of glorious old Victorians. Garen found himself studying the interaction of light and aspect and color playing out on this Victorian house he was painting. The job turned out beautifully, to the great satisfaction of the homeowners.

Garen soon realized he had found his natural calling. "I really appreciated that while I was earning my living as a tradesman fulfilling people's needs, I was at the same time getting to put my artistic abilities to use to the benefit of my clients," he says.

Small Town Feeling, Cosmopolitan Results
Hiring for Patterson Painting and Decorating means getting a crew of well-trained and selectively chosen painters, some of whom have been working with Garen for years. He is extremely choosy about his team. "It's an eight-page application," said Garen, "so if they're not interested in going the extra mile, we find out right away." He is proud of his team, describing them as highly skilled, professional and courteous. "My crew gets complimented all the time; people really like them."

When Patterson Painting relocated to its current home in Sonoma in 1988, Garen Patterson knew he had chosen the perfect place to put down roots. "This is the place where business and pleasure mix, where clients and customers are likely to be neighbors and friends," Garen described. "It is a singular pleasure to walk down the street and run into satisfied customers at every turn."

Garen Patterson is recognized not just for his well-respected work but also for his community involvement and civic leadership, having been President of the Rotary Club, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the PDCA (Painting & Decorating Contractors of America), and member of REMA (Redwood Empire Remodelers Association) and the Sonoma Valley Chorale. Garen's more than just a responsible local business owner and tradesman; he can also be found in local venues singing and playing guitar and performing his folk opera (sporting a beret, natch).

But Garen Patterson is no shaggy bohemian: Patterson Painting & Decorating performs the highest quality work, using premium quality paints and primers. Witness the results on this website using the photo button above or just ask around in Sonoma; most folks know their local artist well.

---Genevieve Albers
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report