Tell your director that you would be fine with that if you used his sticks

From the dialogue that has gone on between you and your director, your director isn't the only one acting out of line. Especially when he conceded and went with orange tape, which is something that you mentioned you would be OK with. So why pick another fight with the fact that he did it for you? As a young adult your response to your director should have been more along the lines of thanking him for considering and allowing your alternative to painting the sticks. He gave you what you wanted, the alternative to painting your sticks, and you are still complaining. I don't know you, but to me that is a perfect example of acting like a brat.

My advice from here is to tape the sticks and enjoy the rest of the season.