I forgot to mention that the clear finish I used made the paint from the metallic letters run, and I was PISSED. I SHOULD have learned then that using an aerosol top coat (like spray paint, but it's a clear finish) would be a much better idea, but noooooooo.....
So I made the following paddle kinda of spur of the moment:
The front is from an Alpha lithograph that I owned, but never used. The Brother's name is done in black paint pen with gold accents.
The back is a collection of photos of the brother that have been decoupaged down.
LESSON LEARNED: When you print out pictures for decoupaging, SEAL THEM. I should have used rubber cement (or decoupage glue) for the front AND back of the pictures. I was being careless, I guess, and when I applied my finish, the colors ran INSTANTLY.
The good part is that because the colors in the pictures ran, it gives the paddle an antiqued look, which is all well and good. I wasn't a happy camper, but I can live with it.