Yes, those are paintbrushes soaking in a bucket between the columbines and the forget-me-nots. They're soaking because the painters are finished with their work for the day. I wouldn't have chosen the garden as the ideal place to put the bucket, but the painters didn't damage anything or drip paint on the plants, so I am not complaining. Below is a series of photos taken last Thursday and Friday while the house was being painted. Enjoy!