Locally Owned and Family Operated by

Native Tucsonans

Philabaum Professional Painting is owned and operated by Ralph and Gail Philabaum. Ralph has 25 years experience in the industry, both as a painter, working out of IUPAT, Local 159, Las Vegas and IUPAT, Local 300, Seattle and as a Factory Representative for Dunn Edwards Corporation. At DE, he was extensively trained in LEED certified, low VOC, zero VOC products, painting application and substrate restoration and protection. Ralph truly is a Residential Repaint Expert.  

As a Journeyman painter, affliated with IUPAT, Local 159, Las Vegas, Gail worked for some of the major painting contractors, like A & B Painting and KHSS, during the The Strip Boom of the late 1990's. She was part of a small Faux and Specialty finish design crew and worked on projects like Bellagio, MGM Mansions, The Venetian and Paris Hotel and Casino. Locally, she has done faux finishing in houses and businesses throughout the city and subcontracted through Perkins Maintech for the faux restoration and maintenance of The Olive Garden, owned by Dardin Restaurant Inc.  Gail has also been trained in classic French technique and cuisine, graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Las Vegas, Summa Cum Laude.

The Philabaums share an interest in the outdoors, and actively utilize sustainable and ecologically friendly practices, like rainwater harvesting, solar energy and organic gardening at home. They dedicate their business to the ideal of "Green Painting".

Ralph says "...painting green is more than just using low VOC or zero VOC products. It is using high quality versions which allow you to paint less often. Painting less often, with higher quality paint can reduce some of  the environmental impact of home maintenance by reducing the job's carbon footprint. Less energy is used in manufacturing, reducing potential pollutants released, the impacts of shipping are reduced, as are impacts of application and even, cleaning up after the job by using less water and creating less waste."

"Using high quality, low or zero VOC products equals a long lasting, pleasing result with less waste, less emissions produced and less water used overall. We try to the right thing, environmentally."

Dunn Edwards is P3's preferred supplier of paint and sundries. DE's products are made in Phoenix, AZ, in the only LEED Gold-certified paint manufacturing plant in the world.

Several years ago, Ralph and Gail, along with their son, Wyatt, started an experimental urban farming project at their home on Tucson's Eastside. They are learning that sustainable farming methods and organic gardening both have their up and downs. Visit Philabaum Urban Farm on Facebook to check on their progress.