FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Announcing the 2019 ProPaint Award Winners

Fine Homebuilding and Benjamin Moore recognize 3 professional painters for transforming homes with their expert finishing skills.

At Fine Homebuilding and Benjamin Moore we know that it takes a team of dedicated and talented craftspeople to create a beautiful house, but sometimes an exceptional individual deserves recognition as the person who made the home truly shine.

In our second annual Benjamin Moore/Fine Homebuilding ProPaint awards, we’re acknowledging three professional painters who exemplify craftsmanship in their trade and have presented them with awards in the following categories:

  • The Master Painter Award— to the dedicated painter who not only has the skill to excel within the most demanding jobs, but executes his work with considerable precision and job-site management.
  • Best Historic Preservation Award— to the painting contractor who most successfully executed the painting and finish of a home with local, regional, or national historic significance.
  • Best Transformation Award— to the painting contractor who reimagined an existing space to elevate its character, quality, and beauty.

Thanks to Benjamin Moore, each of these painters will receive a generous prize package redeemable for Benjamin Moore paints, equipment, and supplies. Please join us in congratulating these three  professionals as we celebrate their hard work and dedication to their craft.

 


Before

Best Transformation Winner: Duane Slate

 

When we let him know about his award, Duane had this to say:

“I started this full time in 2012 but have painted as a side job since I was a teen.  I was a professional musician in church work for over 20 years but after leaving that I decided to help people in another way–by providing quality work that they could be proud of for years.

I truly felt this project was a quality restoration and that the customer wanted excellence throughout. I would really like for my company, Slate Transformations, to do more historical restorations and I felt this might be a way to turn our focus in that direction.

Being the cheapest or the fastest doesn’t pay dividends. I always bond with my customers. I treat them as family- because I want them to call me back. Our motto at Slate Transformations is that we want to be ‘The only call our customers need to make.’

We have found that Benjamin Moore makes some of the best paint on the market today. They have created specialized formulas for specific situations that other manufacturers ignore. The Exterior Aura when combined with Fresh Start Primer gives an amazing durable finish. Historic projects demand such a product to be done right.”

See more of Duane’s work at facebook.com/slatetransformations

 


Before

Best Historic Preservation Winner: Joseph Suddath

 

When we let him know about his award, Joseph had this to say:

“I worked at Finks Paint Store in Williamsport, PA for 7.5 years then took over my dad’s painting company and made it my own from there. Most of the work I do is Residential–primarily restorations of Victorian homes.

I couldn’t have done this project without the help of my previous foreman Thomas Noviello. And I have to say thank you to Fink’s Paint Store.

I like to think that I leave a piece of myself on every project I complete. I wanted to share this creation and beautiful color scheme with the world. In order to do the best work, 90% prep work and 10% painting is my motto. It’s real simple, don’t cut corners and be thorough. Triple check your work and use the best paint!

We mostly use Benjamin Moore Regal Select on my projects because it doesn’t sag, it dries evenly, and a little bit can go a long way in most instances.”

See more of Joseph’s work at facebook.com/joesuddathpainting

 


Master Painter: Ricardo Ortega

 

When we let him know about his award, Ricardo had this to say:

“A local paint-store manager, Erica Lopez from Spectrum Paint Center, informed me of the contest and the biggest motivator was to celebrate the work my company accomplishes. We create a lot of beautiful art on interior walls and I wanted to show what can be achieved.

The Chameleons Palette, Inc. has been operating for 15 years. I founded the company when my mural work and artistic finishes design started to bloom and more homeowners wanted custom designs. Although we do interior painting as part of one of our services, The Chameleons Palette is best known for our custom painting work.

A favorite project we did was a pediatric dentist office in Orlando, FL. The client wanted a Dr.Seuss inspired mural through the office but with original characters scenery. It was a creative challenging experience because we had to use various vibrant colors to create landscapes as well as invent our own caricatures. As a result the mural came out beautiful and we were able to expand creatively.

Our main line of work is on new construction, residential and commercial mostly partnering with interior designers to sort through variety of faux finish and artistic plaster application techniques. As an artist base company, naturally we offer murals as one of our most creative services including corporate logos, graffiti, children’s theme rooms, stenciling etc.. We can practically do anything imaginable with paint.

Our go to paint is typically Benjamin Moore Regal paint for walls and Advanced waterborne alkyd for trim work. The Regal matte finish always gives us a flawless end result with a very low sheen. Advance satin leaves a soft glow on the wood work.  I specially rely on the regal matte  as a base coat for all our wood grain Faux finishes.”

You can see more work by Ricardo and The Chameleons Palette at www.arttcp.com
And on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thechameleonspalette

 

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. dynamwebz | Oct 08, 2019 07:24am | #1

    Was hoping for more. Well, at least it's not a pro vinyl siding article.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fast, Accurate Wall Framing

A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Two Tapes in One
  • Seven Ways to Remove Paint
  • A New Approach for Millwork Finishes

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Give Windows and Doors a Durable Finish with Linseed Oil Paint
  • Podcast 598: Members-only Aftershow — Long-Lasting Paint Jobs
  • Podcast 538: PRO TALK With Painting Contractor Luke DiBlasi
  • Podcast 484: PRO TALK With Color Consultant Paula Gaull
View All

Painting and Finishing

View All Painting and Finishing Articles
  • A New Approach for Millwork Finishes
  • Prevent Paint Bridging With Picks
  • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
View All Painting and Finishing Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in