Conversations with Sheila Lehman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Lehman

Hi Sheila, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started as a decorative painter in 1996 working mostly in client’s homes and businesses. Did decorative paint finishes on walls, ceilings, cabinets, furniture etc. Honed my skills and learned about all the materials used in the process of prep, repair, painting and finishing. And, working by just myself, I developed a strong work ethic. I started refurbishing and painting a lot of furniture and home accessories and soon I had out-grown the small work space inside my garage. I found my studio space in Arcadia in 2014 and happily moved in there and expanded my client list, variety of projects and skills. After doing painting work at various local churches, I was asked to restore some of their statues too. The specialty field of statue restoration, has expanded greatly in recent years and now people find me from all over Southern California and the rest of the country. It’s a niche, and I’m one of few artist around who restores large and small statues for public and private clients.
I also can’t stop going to estate sales and thrift stores for vintage furniture and decorative accessories that I remodel and refurbish and sell online and in my studio.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, it’s been a steady struggle through the years I suppose. Being an artist, making your living with your own two hands, juggling projects, the sometimes very difficult physical work, online and social media promotion, running a small business, keeping deadlines. Those are all struggles, made worse by fluctuations in the economy, but I’m hoping for a great year ahead!!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in restoring statues of all kinds. I repair and repaint everything from small, family heirloom, pieces for private clients, to large, rare and antique, statues that are often the focal point of a church. There are not too many people that do this work, so I suppose I am known for that. I’m proud of the fact that I can repair these pieces even after they’ve been smashed or damaged and the client is in despair thinking that their beloved piece might be lost forever. I know how much these statues mean to my clients and it’s pretty rewarding when they come to pick up their restored piece and are amazed at the great transformation and overjoyed that their piece has been saved!
Everyone loves to see a good “before & after” transformation. I have tons of side-by-side photos of all my projects which kind of serve as my resume.
One of the projects that I am most proud of is the complete restoration I did for the iconic statue of Bob’s Big Boy which stands outside the famous restaurant in Burbank. Great to see Big Boy looking so good and people getting their picture taken with him!

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think Thomas Jefferson said: the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. So that’s how I combat any bad luck… put my head down and work even harder. Diligent, hard work also brings new skills. And new skills open up new possibilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paintchangeseverything.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/laportevintage
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/laportevintage
• Other: https://www.laportevintage.com

Image Credits
Sheila Lehman