I stumbled onto this site a couple days ago and was I ever pleased. This is an excellent resource. I thought I'd introduce myself and my business.
First off I'm very new to signmaking. (I once had to ask "What's Kerning?"). I've been a production designer and digital modeler for nearly 15 years in film and television. I started my company officially in Aug 2005 for Specialty Fabrication and..well having a CNC Router and a CNC 2-axis hotwire foam cutter made dimensional signs an obvious service I could offer. And I enjoy it.
When I bought my CNC router for creating foam sculptures, I noticed a copy of Signcraft with an article on Dan Sawatzky within. I said to myself "WOW! This guy's work is amazing and is set up only an hour or so from me. I must meet him." And I did. And I see that I have found a familiar face here. Hello Dan.
I now have a major gateway sign project, a storefront sign and dimensional letter jobs in the works. Things are moving along. And hopefully much more cool stuff to come. I hope to be able to bounce ideas and problems off this forum.
Gerald Lauzé
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Welcome Gerald. Pretty high tech site you have there. Wish there was more detail to your projects. I like that they're "out there".
I bet we will all learn a lot from each other.
Posted by Stu Friesen (Member # 6358) on :
Welcome Gerald. Yes this is a terrific recource. I also am new to Letterville but have quickly become addicted. Within the membership and residents there is great diversity and differing skill levels and a generous willingness to share information. I think the sign industry is very unique and diverse and we all have a lot to offer each other. You couldn't have stumbled upon a better site if you want to learn about and become immersed in the sign world. I had the awsome opportunity to work with Dan Sawatsky quite a few year ago on a couple of different projects in Calgary through the company I worked for. We made props from foam as well as other materials from design to finsh. We also did scenic painting and murals which nicely complimented the 3-D sculptures they created. It was an honor to see Dan and company creating quality, fun environments and to have even a small part in what they were doing. I can see a connection with what the two of you do. I checked out your website and was blown away. Amazing creativity. Combine that with signs and there will be no stopping you. I also have been in the film industry off and on since the late eighties and have helped design and build props as well as lots of scenic painting but now I only do hand-painted period signage for the occasional film. (A much better pace). I really look forward to seeing more of your stuff and how you incorporate signage.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Welcome Gerald. Great web site. Your work, along with that Sawatzky guy, should give us all something to emulate.
Just to warn you...Dan and I are friends - we just don't act like it. Or, at least, I don't.
My job is trying to keep him humble. It's a tall order.
Posted by Mike Barnes (Member # 2277) on :
Welcome Gerald. Letterville is a great place with alot of friendly folks!
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Welcome to Letterville Gerald!!!
You'l love it here!
-grampa dan
Posted by Jason Davie (Member # 2172) on :
Welcome!!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
quote:It's a tall order.
...and that's the only thing tall about Raymond!
By the way, Raymond and I also are friends, although we don't act like it either.
I do have to take something back. While Raymond is vertically challenged in stature, he is as tall as they come in talent and heart. You'll be hard pressed to meet a nicer person.
Posted by Bill Jarvis (Member # 1754) on :
Welcome Gerald,
I'm a new resident here too. Although I have been lurking around here every once in a while. Terrific stuff on your site. Sure gets the juices flowing. Look forward to seeing more from you.
Bill
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Welcome Ger. Cool website too. You and Dan must be a chip off of the same block.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Welcome Gerald! Interesting work on your site. Judy
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
Hello All,
I look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you.
As for the friendly banter set by Raymond, I enjoy it completely.
Thanks for the welcome,
Gerald
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I was in a hurry before but I would like to take a second to introduce you to my friend Gerald. He kindly took the time a while back to drop in for a visit.
Gerald is a young lad, full of talent, who has great and massive dreams. He's also keenly aware they will not happen without a lot of hard work and sacrifice on his part. Gerald's head is bursting with great ideas and his passion for the craft was evident withing seconds of my meeting him. We are kindred spirits.
I had the opportunity to take a look at his portfolio.... in a word awesome!
He is just setting out on his own - a scary and daunting prospect. Although I have not yet had the chance to visit his studio/shop I understand it is very well equipped complete with hotwire rig and ROUTER! He is not afraid to use them to their full potential.
Gerald has lined up some great work already and I'm sure we will see some very cool projects in the coming months.
I heartily welcome him here and wait with great anticipation in regard to all he will achieve.
-grampa dan
[ March 26, 2006, 01:49 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
Wow.....What do you say to words like that but thank you, Dan.
It's easy to lose sight of what you have as far as skill or talent when you have to work hard pulling that heavy non-artistic veil of secrecy off your new business.
The level of welcome words from this group are quite unexpected but thoroughly uplifting.
This place is gonna be fun.
Thank you all,
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
Welcome!
Posted by Tim (Member # 1699) on :
Welcome Gerald!
I used to live just down the road from you at the old Colebrook homestead.
Just remember though.... Cloverdale is not having to say your Surrey!
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Welcome Gerald Posted by Kelsey Dum (Member # 6101) on :
Howdy!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Gerald,
You do some really cool stuff. The combined weight of your and Dan's talent in such close proximity might be enough to knock that corner of B.C. off into the ocean! I hope you can swim.
Posted by Doug Phillips (Member # 5708) on :
Gerald, Welcome and awesome work!
Do you know a Patrick Gerrety? He is my wife's cousin, and he worked with Disney and other special effect houses -- most recently on spiderman II specifically on the Doc Ock stuff. It sounds as though you may have crossed paths at some point.
Anyway, I'll sure be looking forward to see what you present here!
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
quote:Originally posted by David Harding: Gerald,
You do some really cool stuff. The combined weight of your and Dan's talent in such close proximity might be enough to knock that corner of B.C. off into the ocean! I hope you can swim.
LOL... Dan? Will a concrete covered foam pirate ship float?
Cheers everyone,
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Ferro concrete ships have been around for years although we have yet to make one that we tried to float.
We have done many ships though, pirate and otherwise including a bunch of submarines... all out of concrete.
-grampa dan
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Dan,
Gerald's question was whether or not the concrete pirate ship would become a submarine.
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