The Letterville BullBoard: Who are we Really?

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Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Over the many years here I have seen many posts.

But the question is "Who are we really!"

To start out with...I am not a Sign Shop but a Graphic Studio.
I do signs as well but rely on design work for my income.
Airbrushing is my strongest point and my weakest is trying to do Calligraphy (Left Handed)
Never did go together!

Have for many years done Hand lettering and Pictorials.

I have come to the point that Airbrushing Pictorials,Designs and Fine Artwork will make myself more income in my "Studio" at home than slapping the brush on the job site.

How about you?
How do you class yourselves in life?

Are you comfortable in your work and how do you catagorize yourself.

1 Are you a Sign Shop?
2 Are you a Designer?
3 Are you a Studio?
4 Are you a Vinyl Shop?
5 Are you a Specialized (Artist)
6 Are you a Carver or Sculptor
7 Are you a Pinstriper
8 Are you master of all Crafts?

There are many of us that try to specialize in one
field of work and others that will work in all of them!!!!

How about you "How do you think of yourself in this industry?"

Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :

I'm just a happy-go-lucky guy that wonders if Raven ever smiles for a photograph.

I'd say I'm best classified as a Designer or maybe even a Product Developer or a Research & Development kinda guy.

My sign production is pretty limited but I do make alot of graphics for anything that flies, rolls or floats and I also develop products for kustomizing vehicles, using my own vehicle for prototyping then selling copies of my work.

I'll get into anything that strikes my fancy at the time but most of the time I dont hang around long cause I just get bored with it.

Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :

Which are you asking? Personal meaning of life or how we make a buck.
Personally there's just feel a need to be creative with my hands weather it's making me money or costing me money. (personal projects)

Although I wouldn't call all my work the most creative I'd say I'm comfortable (it's really all in the way you look at it, isn't it?)

1 Are you a Sign Shop? -(yup)
2 Are you a Designer? -(yup)
3 Are you a Studio? -(yup)
4 Are you a Vinyl Shop? -(yup)
5 Are you a Specialized (Artist) -(when need be)
6 Are you a Carver or Sculptor -(does playdough with the kids count?)
7 Are you a Pinstriper -(for fun)
8 Are you master of all Crafts? -(don't know how to knit)

It's all attitude ...
Doesn't really matter the hat your wearing ... it's whats holding it up that counts

Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :

'Who Are We' eh?

Well I think , speaking for myself of course, I am different things according to the times and the moods.
I have been all on your list except the master of all crafts. I strive to learn more each year. Whether it be carving, painting...or just using a new technique. Once we have come to the conclusion that we are a master at everything...we loose our ability to want to grow. At one point I thought I knew prit'near everything in the vinyl side of signmaking. (wrong) I had already been handlettering for years, so I knew that too. But then went to a couple meets....and discovered there is so much to learn and absorb. So now I am back on the track I want to be. Enjoying the ride and learning more along the way.

Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :

I have been pinstriping since I'm 11 years old and only for the past 30 years have been a straight line pinstriper. This means I rarly have the opportunity to do the early style design work which many are hopped up on, but don't bring home the bacon at least for me.
In the past I never lived in one place for more then 5 years since I was older enough to travel alone. My parents used to say ' Joeys like the wind 'I have lived and worked all over New York state including Long Island, the Gold coast of Florida, Toronto Ontario, Las Vegas Nevada and Hollywood California to to name a few places.

I consider myself a perfectionist where-as I cannot let go of a vehicle if the lines are crooked or out of whack in any way, shape of form. I have done line graphics when graphics had a different meaning from today and I have worked both with and against the best of them and I've paid my dues.

While others may do panels, I design tools I can work with and from my standpoint I believe the tools I have designed and made are used by the best.
My attitude is that of a precise craftsman who puts up with little BS and likes to see another do something other then ask questions or hear themselves talk. I could only put up with BS for the first 5 minutes of any conversation no matter who it is.
The paints I use are made for a trouble free operation. These days I use sign enamels as an everyday paint but when clearcoating is to be used, I use paints that are meant to be clearcoated, I hate problems and spare no expence.
I do have hobbies which consist of vehicles, vehicles and more vehicles, differents kinds and fast ones too. I guess you can say I love vehicles.
For relaxation, for me nothing beats sitting back smoking a big fat Doobie which brings smiles to my face and ideas in full color.
I love being who I am!

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

No Mike
I only smile in front of my wife because she makes me Happy!

Posted by Chris Lovelady (Member # 2540) on :

i have always like to concider myself a "visual comunicator"

..some time i get caught up in the "me" part of the sign work (how will it look in my portfolio) but i try to always remmeber is, the customer is who we work for and are we filling there visual needs.

on the sipirtual part of your question " who are we really" i think that we are like a parent. at the begining we fall in love with and conceive with passion. then we carry the child of our desires, forming and then through labor we birth the child for all to see. sending it into the world to stand on its own. we then get to visit it or to brag through pictures the child that we have poured all of our love and compassion into.

thats why i'm in this busness to fill the world with good looking, well ajusted children of my passion.

lol...but i still need help with spelling!!!!

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Stephen,

There is no easy answer to your question. Creative sign folk tend to be a "Jack of All Trades"

We ( meaning sign folk in general ) are designers, artists, painters, stripers, automotive airbrush artists, sheet metal benders, welders, electricians, back hole diggers, crane operators, landscapers, muralists, and the list goes on.

To make a sign, one needs to start with a design.
So he has to be a sign design artist. Then to produce the sign, he has to work with what ever media fits the job. If he wants to do the job himself, he has to learn how to work the tools to create the sign. Then he has to install it.
That covers some of every building trade/craft out there.

There are 3 options:
1. Sign Craftsmen
2. Sign Maker
3. Sign Builder

Two of the above are names of Sign Magazines...namely Sign Craft and Sign Builder Illustrated. They probably define who we are the best. The sign industry has so much variety media its not easy to get a handle on who we are.

There are so many creative people and so little real artistic jobs for them to do....so they all end up in the sign business, because its the only industry that allows for them to be creative and make a steady living at it, and plenty of niches to fall into that are unique and different from others.

Posted by pierre (Member # 1462) on :

Actually, I liked the picture where you looked like an airplane coming in for a landing. THAT was a cool picture. The new one looks like you partied waaaaayyyy too hard last night. But you DO look graffiky.
heh

Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :

i consider myself a sign craftsman. for me, a craftsman is one who combines skills (technique), knowledge (of materials) AND uses both to create art. Sort of like mind/body/spirit.

Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :

steve....you got a "wild bill hickcock" thing goin there......hehehehe

Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :

I consider myself an Old Time Sign Painter. Since learning how to letter and do signs I've always done the whole ball of wax, from dealing with the customer to getting the end product out the door. I don't do walls (afraid of height) so I got good with smaller projects where I can stay on the ground. I'm not even real comfortable being this tall.
I wish I could pinstripe, but wishing hasn't brought the talent to me - I admire those who do. I don't do vinyl, though I have worked in a couple shops where it was part of the job. I was born too late - I should have been doing this 50 years earlier.
Working at Disneyland is taking a drastic toll on my abilities as it is 100% structured by "art directors" (read; Nephews and corporate Yes-Men) The pay scale there makes it necessary for me to stick around but I dream of the day when I can say "Take this job and shove it, Mickey". The one improvement besides my finances is my eye-to-hand control - doing the tiny nit picky work required is honing that to a fine point. Naturally I would tend to bang out a lot of stuff and call it "good enough".

But I digress - back to the question at hand; "Who am I?" -- beats me, sounds like a lesson from Philosophy 101 and I didn't take that one. I lay claim to all the mentioned entries except for the 'master' and vinyl - I am a perpetual student.

[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: Mike Languein ]

Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :

Sign whore

Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :

Dave Draper
after reading the last paragraph on your reply I summed it up and said to myself that you don't have a clue in regards the business of real pinstripers. Persons come to us for pinstriping and our artistic ability to change the look of their vehicles. Thats the way its been forever and we certainly don't need to become ditch diggers to use our talent in order to make a steady income and the only electrical work we ever do is on our toys.

Sure its so very hard these days for experienced signmakers because as I see it, everyone thinks he or she is a designer and as more persons become signmakers, signmakers have to become welders, electricians and ditch diggers.

Pinstriping is an altogether different ball game, sure we do a little lettering and cartooning but we have been doing this without help from signmakers since day one.

Get your facts straight Dave, when you can pick up a #1 1010 and paint a straight line 1/16 of an inch thick you'll find that theres no reason to become anything other then a pinstriper and if you become as good as I am, you'll find your steady income with a minimum of tools and a maximum of satisfaction.

Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :

I make my living as a signmaker.
I consider myself a designer/cartoonist.
Although I am decently good with a brush, I think I am much better designing the product, and have a much easier time with that part of the task.
The one thing that is my strong point is my drawing skills. Especially in cartooning. I haven't found anything yet that I cant draw in toon mode. Realistic type art is harder, but I can do that also. If given the choice, I would be a full time cartoonist, although I would still do some signmaking on the side. Don't think I will ever totally leave it. Its kept me busy, and happy for quite a few years, and has helped me achieve some goals.
So, like alot of guys and girls on here, I wear different hats at different times, and try and keep my head from swelling while wearing any of them.

Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :

I'm a sign guy...that's all I wanna be!!!!!!!

Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :

I like George's answer.

If I use that term, are the copywrite police gonna come get me?

As for an answer to the question at hand, I'm not sure how to answer. I started off as a vinyl shop, but I'm trying to expand into other things to be a 'real' sign shop (as some would call it). Touching on something Mike said, when I get bored or have done something for a while, I get bored and get into something else. Right now, I'm bored with vinyl and starting into screenprinting.

I guess I would call myself a sign person (to be PC).

Posted by Benji Mcentire (Member # 2442) on :

I would classifie myself as a Sign Craftsman, my skills mostly are in the graphic design, I make most of my living by creating the designs, I can work with a vary assortment of tools, but still working on enhancing my "Artistic" side, Ive worked with in most of the fields of the sign business from lettering billboards, working in vinyl, creating channel letters and doing lighted cabinets. although my shop is a vinyl shop I am working to change that to more artistic. I am working on my skills in airbrush, hand lettering.....

Ok let me step off the soapbox now, there are FAR more talented skilled artist in this room, and its this BB that has sparked a brand new yearning to work toward excellence....

one more thing POST MORE STEP by STEPS and show off some more of your work guys.....

Benji

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Thanks Pierre and Old Paint!

I do party heavy with some good and top class clients!
I make sure that the work is finished on time for them as well.

I worry about one thing, and that is to wake in the morning with a "Heart Beat and a Hard On!"

I will be ready for that day....

But seriously..
I have taking on the many Hats as per say!
And found it to much to handle,,,
I now focus on the best gift I have to make my income,"Airbrushing"
Much easier on the nerves as I only take the work that many can't do!

Joey
I like your answer, as it is true if you specialize in one field there is not that many that will compete with you.

[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]

Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :

Who am I?

Well, I'm really......

People just think I'm a mild-mannered shoeshin...er, I mean, signmaker.

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Glenn
I can see the resemblance to the cartoon in the "Eyebrows!"

LOL.

Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :

1 Are you a Sign Shop?
2 Are you a Designer?
3 Are you a Studio?
4 Are you a Vinyl Shop?
5 Are you a Specialized (Artist)
6 Are you a Carver or Sculptor
7 Are you a Pinstriper
8 Are you master of all Crafts?

1. all the time
2. sometimes
3. not really
4. sometimes
5. not really
6. sometimes
7. not at all
8. most

I'm basically whatever the customer wants, but if it's something I can't or won't do I know who will. I'm also an ice painter. http://www.tampabaylightning.com/files/iceone.html

Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :

My business card says I am an "Artist".
My letterhead on my business statement I send out says I am "Advertising Design"
People understand "artist" and they refer to me as 'their artist'. kinda like they refer to their attorney or doctor. I paint signs, windows and landscapes. I design advertising for car dogs.
www.prestonmccall.com

Posted by kevinlandry (Member # 1352) on :

Good post Stephan.

We are what our customers need us to be at the time. We provide what they want when they want it. Sign whore is a great term. If we can't do it (hasn't happened often) then we get it done. Whether it be painting, vinyl, blasted, designed, sublimated or printed we provide.

So in essence all of the above.

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Kevin
I'll remember to call you "The Sign Whore" the next time we get together!
But you are bigger than me and will kick the wind out of my Sails!!!!

LOL

Will drop by in the near future to say Hello.

Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :

Hi Steven.
I like your new picture. Was that taken during your "blue" period?
Myself, I'm just an average person, trying to paint a good balanced "O" as well as my peers but failing miserably. (or mebbe just trying to have one!)
I can't pinstripe, gild, or airbrush, and I suck at sticking stickers. I continue to try 'em all, just the same. I'm just a starving artist with a heart of gold. Or maybe the Little Engine That Could's cousin.
I do deserve an "A" for effort, tho...
Love- JILL
ps met a girl in a bar on New Year's Eve, her dad just "Bought a sticker machine". Guess he's a Nartist now, too! That's what Krupinski calls 'em. They're going into business together, & she plans to quit her day job ASAP.I told her to make sure he buys a copy of Mike Steven's book, or at least, a susbscription to Sign Craft. But she was too wasted to remember...shucks!

Posted by John Martin Robson (Member # 1686) on :

Who are we?………….we are actually a gene splice between Aliens & Monkeys, that’s who.

I’d better get my fire retardant gear on.

Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :

I'm still trying to figure it out.

And havin fun every day while I do.

-dan

Posted by Rob Clark (Member # 787) on :

Good question, I see myself as a professional in the design and production of successful business image.

This year however I do not intend getting into building or installing the signs. I do not intend doing the computer work such as formatting my designs to allow their use in stationery, Business cards, Yellow pages etc.
I am also going to stay away from vinyl as much as possible.

I am going to sub all that work out and focus on "my kinda werk" Brush work with hand painted pictorials, this is what I love to do and I find it the most profitable.

Yes we have to be able to offer our customers a wide range of services but it doesn't mean we have to do it all ourselves.

Build a GOOD team of subbies around you and get on with the work you are REALLY good at.

RobC

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Jilly Beanie
I like your look as well!

If we ever get together We'll have to go out and paint the town RED!

Don't know were that saying comes from but it sounds fun!!!!!!
Are you up for it?
I know I will be......

Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :

Glenn,

Is that a picture of that peein' Calvin guy everybody is always talkin about? Nyuk nyuk.

...Big fat doobie? I thought that kind of behavior went out of style back in the seventies with old Cheech n Chong records?! What do I know, I'm from a one horse town...we just got plumbing last week. Hehehe

Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :

To me it makes no difference "who we are" but here is a great deal of importance in "what we do" we shouldn't judge people by the skills they profess to have, oh it's handy to search out those like minded people but that limits the search for something new.

Better we are a group thet recognizes one another for what we share with one another, whether it is something on a grand scale or just a small thing shared between two freinds.

The "give and take" in my mind is far more important than my being more or less capable than someone else.

I love it here and it doesn't matter to me what it is you do...just that you are here.

Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :

Over a few beers the other night my neighbour was asking me the same question, she is between jobs at the moment and had recently attended a "Find out what you're best suited for" type seminar at a respected consulting firm.
According to these people its a simple matter of asking a few well pointed questions, comparing your responses to a scale and voila, instant answer to your lifes questions!
What a crock.

For me I am at this particular moment a sign slut, same as George.
Contracting to a guy doing brushwork, lick and stick, operating his computers, fixing his computers, upgrading his computers, back/front and custom spraying, installing, designing, cleaning, co-b.s. artist (salesman) and the list goes on.
On the days I don't have that particular hat on I do a little small-medium network and database admin for a couple of good customers of mine, as well as a modicum of design drafting.
Other times I like to look at as my therapy time, when I get to do the sign or design work for myself and whatever customers are prepared to pay for the job I'd like to give them (give or take a couple of nuisance jobs). This usually means maybe some airbrushing, gilding, beating the crap out of heated metal over a big anvil with a big hammer, a bit of neon here and there - or a lot if I can get them to part with the dollars, a little dimensional stuff either fabricated or very occasionally carved.
Spare time? I like to tinker with cars, the older and more decrepit the better within reason.
Then theres the kids but thats a whole other story.
I decided ages ago that if I ever woke up and thought "Oh no, not another day of this s*** again" then I just wouldn't go to that same old s*** again.
So far so good.
Back to the question, I think I'll take option 8 paraphrased - Jack of all trades, it works for me.
The learning curve is ever upwards.
David

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Inside me is a kid wanting to play. On the outside is someone pretending to be whichever tag on the list will keep the game going.

Posted by timi NC (Member # 576) on :

Stephen when I introduce myself in casual circumstances I tell folks,...howdy my name is Timi when I'm caught up,...otherwise most folks call me "that damned sign painter"

Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :

Hi Steve...
If you come to the International Meet in Mars, we can paint the town GREEN, or just paint the town, period. But what will your wife say?
David F., I thought I was the original sign slut!
Love- JILL

Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :

Jillie Beany.

My wife is a very open minded person and thats why I love her so much.

She has seen me airbrush (Paint) everything!
And I mean everything.

Will not list here as I may get into trouble.

So if you want to paint it RED,GREEN,BLUE or Yellow the only thing we have to worry about is the local inforcement catching us!

Isn't that called (Late Night Grafitti?)

Posted by Connot (Member # 76) on :

I don't have quite the credentials as Joey Madden, yet I too am a straight line striper, that does an occasional sign,cartoon,pictorial,or 50's style scroll work. However unlike Mr. Madden I have stayed put in one spot (23 years) running a very lucrative business, like Colonel Sanders said "do one thing and be the best at it" or something to that effect. Or then again was that Mr. Madden that said that. Either way Joey is my HERO and some day I'm gonna grow up to be jus like him!

DeWayne Connot
D.O.A. Flatliners
"Pinstriping to Die For"

[ January 05, 2002: Message edited by: Connot ]

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