The $34K figure is about right for the actual PAINT used on a $200K job. The lien might be by the paint supplier because the painter hasn’t paid them, or the painter took out the lien as collateral to borrow money to buy the paint as others have pointed out. Or it may just be that additional work was done based on a verbal OK, but since it wasn’t in the written contract the billing is disputed — nothing in construction should ever be done without getting the contract amended, but it happens everyday.
The article has none of the details needed to know what is really going on. It is strictly smear tactics.
It could also be a poorly documented late change order in color or quality of the paint.