From Paint-to-Finish we have you covered!
About Us
Wise Owl Paint® was born from a simple idea: the things we love don’t have to be replaced, they can be brought back to life.
There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing a piece. Whether it’s worn, forgotten, or headed for the trash, transforming it into something beautiful again just feels right. That’s what drives everything we do.
From the beginning, we’ve been committed to creating products that are not only high-performing, but also thoughtfully made. Our One Hour Enamel, Ceramic, Chalk Synthesis and our salves, waxes, and finishes are crafted without unnecessary fillers or harsh solvents. We use ingredients like locally sourced beeswax and hemp seed oil because what you bring into your home matters.
Performance matters just as much.
Our product line is designed to take you from start to finish with confidence. Whether you’re refinishing cabinetry with One Hour Enamel, refreshing furniture with Chalk Synthesis Paint, or adding depth with our finishing products, everything is made to work together beautifully. No guesswork, no overwhelm, just results you’re proud of.
You don’t need to be a professional to create something incredible. You just need the right tools.
And that’s where we come in.
Wise Owl Paint® is proudly made in Michigan, and built on the belief that creating something beautiful should feel good from start to finish.
CEO/Owner, Wise Owl Paint®
Karen Chouinard
I am an animal rescuer, nature and travel enthusiast, scientist, artist, mushroom huntress, and Mother. I collect rocks and minerals, exotic plants, and oddities. I am a third generation furniture rescuing aficionado. This pretty much translates to enthusiastic trash picker. I was taught tricks of the furniture-flipping trade early on in life, from my Mom and Antique-enthusiast Grandmother. I was always encouraged and inspired by my Grandfather, Mack, who was an artist.
I am an environmental scientist that turned to paint to fill an insatiable need to be creative. Wise Owl Paint® was born in my kitchen and is truly innovated through science. Every product has been thoughtfully created to bring you the best products without ever compromising health or the environment.
When I am not curating new paint products, I rescue and rehabilitate wild animals. I have followed in the footsteps of my Mother and continue to help animals just like she did since I was a child. I now teach my own children the lessons she did, that ALL life has value. I foster wild babies and I enjoy volunteering at animal sanctuaries caring for Sloths, Toucans, Jaguars, and more. My plan is to one day open The Wise Owl animal sanctuary, where we will be dedicated to saving the animals of the rainforest in Costa Rica.
Rescuing animals, people, and even furniture is in my veins. I speak, dream, and curate colors and finishes through the language of science. Nature has inspired most everything we do here at Wise Owl Paint®.
I have the pleasure of working alongside my best friend, Erin. Together, we have built a company that remains grassroots and connected to our customers and retailers. I have a blast working with her and after years of working together we pretty much speak our own language. We dance like dorks and get to be our weird and quirky selves while being creative. What a fantastic way to spend our days!
Wise Owl Paint® is engrained with integrity and sustainability.
I hope you love our paint and products. We have built them using our entire hearts.
Chief Operations Officer, Wise Owl Paint®
Erin M. Derry
I have always loved making something out of nothing. Give me a tired piece of furniture, a quiet space, or even just an idea, and I am all in. At heart, I am a creative. I love to build, to make, and to bring things to life.
I spent time as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, which gave me a strong foundation and a different kind of perspective. But stepping into a world where I could create every day, build something meaningful, and be hands on in the process is what truly feels like me.
At Wise Owl Paint, I oversee the day to day operations and have been part of the journey from the very beginning, working alongside my best friend, Karen. What started as a leap turned into something I am incredibly proud to be part of. I even drew our logo in those early days, which still feels a little surreal.
Outside of work, I am usually creating something. Cooking, building, rearranging, planting, or chasing chickens around the yard. Life at home includes a lively flock of chickens, a couple of ducks, my dogs Scarlett and Jacob, and building a life with my love. It is a little busy, a little messy, and exactly how I like it.
I am drawn to bold color, beautiful details, and the process of transforming something overlooked into something meaningful. I do not believe you need to start over to create something beautiful. I think the magic is in seeing what is already there and bringing it to life.
If there is anything I hope people take from what I do, it is this. You do not need perfect conditions to create something you love. Start where you are, use what you have, and make it beautiful.