Guerra Paint & Pigment Corp.

Guerra Paint & Pigment Corp. was founded in 1986 by Arthur Guerra, a New York artist and muralist. Frustrated with the lack of quality paint available at the time, Guerra believed there had to be a better way. He invented the Paint Component System, which allows artists to easily create their own high-quality paint. The system is simple and revolves around a basic formula: Pigment Dispersion (liquid pigment concentrate) + Binder = Paint.

By 2000, it was clear that both the business and Arthur Guerra needed help. That is when Seren Morey, who was already working for Guerra, and her partner Jody Bretnall stepped in to save a diamond in the rough. At the time they became partners in Guerra Paint & Pigment Corp., Morey, an MFA graduate from Pratt Institute, was a working artist, bartender, and part-time teacher of color theory, materials, and techniques, while Jody was a musician and a writer.

Seren and Jody have chosen to keep the company in New York after all these years because the city is a cultural hub for artists, designers, museums, and galleries. Since all of the company’s clients are artists or designers, the founders enjoy teaching them about a wide, wonderful world of rare and extinct colors that were previously inaccessible. They demonstrate how easy it is for artists to make their own paint, thereby achieving greater quality and a deeper connection to their work. Clients often become very excited when they learn how simple it is to mix the color into the paint base themselves and see how brilliant their colors can become.

Guerra Paint is a true labor of love! Seren and Jody recommend that entrepreneurs go into business with their eyes wide open. While running a business offers significant freedom, it also requires taking on a wide range of responsibilities and wearing many different hats. The stress can be high, but the work is never boring, making it ideal for those who enjoy challenges, problem-solving, and roller-coaster rides. The founders have been on a slow path of continuous improvement for decades; although finding extra time for enhancements while conducting daily operations is difficult, they have steadily chipped away at their goals. The acquisition of their new building has propelled them significantly forward, and they look forward to working alongside their dedicated team to continue their steady growth plans. Exciting things are on the horizon!