Watching Paint Dry: Stories from the Trade

by John Burbidge

John Burbidge has aimed his brush, roller, and spray gun at everything from ritzy mansions to trashy trailers. He’s gone underground to paint sewage-treatment plants and risked death to paint factory ceilings. He has no doubt inhaled enough noxious dust and paint fumes to shorten his life. But he’s not dead yet. And the captivating characters he has encountered along the way have more than offset the toils of painting for a living. Ex-cons, addicts, drifting college grads, even a guy with a hole in his head—that’s your typical paint crew, bonded only by the fact that they’re caught in a job society thinks is for simpletons. In Watching Paint Dry, John Burbidge scrapes beneath the surface of painting’s reputation for monotony while intimately portraying the men and women who craft the backdrop to our civilization. "Informative, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking . . . this is a book you will want to recommend to everyone you know." --Sharon Barrett, Chicago Sun-Times book critic for 28 years

Genres: Business

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2012

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never thought I'd read a book about painting but after watching Burbidge's YouTube videos on painting (currently painting my house), I saw it available on Kindle Unlimited and figured what the heck.

It is a pretty enjoyable book. With all the rage nowadays being about "how much money one can make in the skilled trades", Burbidge's story was a familiar one (I started my career as an automotive mechanic) filled with both colorful and sad characters he encountered throughout his 15 years of painting and his desire to break away from the trades (there are downsides to the trades as well as "all that money one can make"). He also portrayed well the view many Americans have of tradesmen, often disparaging (sometimes rightfully so), as well as his own self doubts throughout his career.

His attempt to break free from the painting trade was also familiar to me as I once went back to school in my own attempt to break free from the auto industry. Like him, I eventually came to peace with myself (with age and maturity) and am now happy with where my profession has gotten me. I never did break away, but at 42 years old, I'm OK with that. I feel a kindred soul in Burbidge, his journey, and his stories of those he met along the way. I think it's something we tradesmen have, a kind of connection and familiarity with each others' stories and journeys.

Overall, an enjoyable book and worth reading if you have some time on your hands. Also, his painting videos on YouTube are excellent. They've helped me greatly get through the grind of painting this house (I don't like painting). Search for howtopaintahouse. Likewise, his website is http://howtopaintahouseright.com/

[tybolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found John Burbidge when trying to learn about paint sprayers on YouTube. I read about the book after watching a video. After reading the summary I realized it wasn’t an instructional book. I was going to pass but since I’ve been in a book rut lately I decided to give something different it a shot. The least it could do would be to cleanse my reading palate. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read the whole thing in one sitting. Now I’ve got to get back to learning about paint sprayers.

[Jerimy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse into another world

I enjoyed getting to experience life as a painter through his book. It was entertainingly written and interesting to get a glimpse into a world that I never understood before.

[Willa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a keeper. John Burbidge is an excellent writer with a great ability to describe some truly improbable situations and true-to-life human interactions. This is a book of essays but also a bit of an autobiography and it is immensely entertaining and thought provoking. The one about using his mountain climbing skills to paint a huge building in "Risk Takers" is hilarious. If I had to pick a favorite, "Fathers and Sons" is at the top of my list. It's funny, sad, heart-warming and true, all at the same time. I wish the book were longer, it's just that good.

[Scott Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I can relate to many of the stories and I know many painter just like the ones described in this book. Unfortunately, the book relates how sad the painting industry is on a whole. We are looked down upon by most, and painters don't hold themselves in very high regard. There has to be a fundamental change in attitude for this professional. It will have to come from within, the painters are going to have to feel better about what they do and who they are.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It was just too good to put down. It sings of the goodness in working people, and the compromises we make. It is populated with tragic blue-collar heroes, drunks and scoundrels, all portrayed with great sympathy and laugh out loud comic timing. Really impressive.

[Dawn]

Picked wrong title, didn't read this one.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only 4 stars, since it was so short I was left wanting for more. Delightful portrayal of the business, and its eccentric characters.