"No one in the world does it the same way as you do".
Now if thats not independence I'll kiss yer...never mind!
I've always loved the fact that you could drive down the street in the town you worked in and pick out the "styles" of all those you have worked with (or against).
I miss that...but I feel so proud when someone comes in and says "I saw some of your work...can you do something for me".
Not doing the amount of brush work today as I once did it's even more important to me that someone picks out our layouts and color combos that were learned years ago under the tutiledge of the "brush".
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Monte...
If you want to know what we think is the best thing about being a sign painter, I would venture to say it is the ability to travel.
My family had a sign shop back in NJ that mostly did neon and service work, but I can smell turpentine every time I think about those days. The one item that I was enamored with the most was the kitbox. By far that was the most important thing. I was constantly reminded that with that box you could go anywhere and you would have a job. How many other lines of work can you say that about? I could have stayed around as a serviceman and probably would have been happy, but that kit was a lure to me. A ticket to anywhere I could dream of going. Learn what was in there, and you would be at the top of the trade.
Later, when I was older, but still before the age of computers took hold of things, I carried that kitbox everywhere, and it was a great source of pride. It represented my independence, and all that I had achieved as a signman. People would talk about it when I was on location, marveling at how everything I needed to paint a sign was in that box. I would smile , point to my head, and say, "not quite everything".
So, in summary, I guess the best thing for me is knowing I can grab that kit and go on down the road anytime I want, and still be able to make a living . Of course being older and being sort of settled in you might say, I probably will never actually do it, but it's something of a comfort knowing that I can.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
I think the best thing about being a sign painter is the variety.
One day you can be putting lettering on a van, the next day be on a ladder painting a mural on a wall, the next day putting flames on a classic car.
After a few years in this biz, you get to become pretty good with carpenrty, metal work, lighting and all kinds of skills that most people never learn.
Rapid
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
yeah there's a lot of "best" things about being a signpainter...anyone else got more?
I love it!
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Good call Jeff with your statement of........ "knowing that I can" Computer aided signs are convient, BUT restrictive As Ray has said,learning "other" skills needed in the biz is also paramount. My slant on this post is...KNOWING others with the sameness of one accord. Long live the Letterhead movement and this neighbrohood of Letterville
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
I just love watching the paint come off of the end of the brush! It's so primal, like watching a candle flame. I simply LOVE to paint! And being PAID to do what I'd be doing anyway for fun is a nice perk too.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
One of the things that's GREAT about being a signpainter, is the fact that there ARE some folks out there who still value and appreciate things that are created "by hand". Granted, they seem to be fewer and farther between these days, but they are still out there nonetheless. These are the people who recognize the lasting and enduring qualities in whatever they buy. The furnishings in their homes don't usually consist of veneer-covered chipboard, but rather solid wood that has been crafted and assembled with care and an attention to detail. They recognize TRUE VALUE, and fully realize that you get what you pay for.
By coming to you, and entrusting you with their sign requirement, they affirm that your work has met the standard that they are accustomed to and seek out.
God Bless them folks who still want their signs "painted by hand".
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
Here's another,
I felt blessed to have a skill with brushes. I felt so much more blessed when I was raising my children. They've since bounced off onto the planet to do their own thing. My sign kit is still with me! It doesn't eat much, argue or hang out with the wrong crowd LOL. It goes to work with me everyday without getting bored and doesn't have to pee frequently on long road trips LOL.
I love meeting new people and love the way they jump up and down and throw money at me when the job is through. I enjoy the recognition and I admit the money is not that bad either! <grin>
This is my 30th year (started May 5th) and I couldn't be happier. Folks ask me how I can be happy with a job that falls into the "Prince and Pauper" routine. I simply explain, it leaves more room for miracles and blessings and I'm not about to complain. I just spend my days saying "Thank you Lord" (especially on every brush stroke)
After spending a whole winter waitressing in a place where I had to worry about geting shot at or my body giving out to the hard labor, I thank God that he gave me skills and a desire to do better.
Gaining knowledge is a fascinating thing too! I really miss going to meets! Knowledge is indeed Power and it's kewl to have clues whilst stumbling on this planet!
I may have to throw an impromptu meet soon so I won't go insane.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
For me, it would be taking a plain looking big rig, hand lettering some happy looking letters on it, and Viola!! You've got a whole new appearence to it. Plus it so easy to add them little added splashes of color without any big deal.Have you ever had it so quiet, that you could hear the sound of the brush gliding along the surface? That's nivana!
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Being a "Sign Painter" is being an "Artist" who's work is on public display all the time. Paid for when you do it and not having to display your work at exhibitions waiting for buyers.
Being able to drive around town saying "I did that ... I did that ... I did that" with a sense of pride.
A lot of my brush work is temporary window splashes and the interaction with the public while doing them is a bonus. Aside from the usual insane remarks ("do you paint signs? etc etc) the general comments boost your ego.
Then there's the murals. I feel I have left a bit of "me" to society. 11,000 sq ft in one little town alone that will still be there when I'm long gone.
And finally the satisfaction of passing on your knowledge to the younger generation knowing you have instilled the art and enthusiasm for the brush that will keep the craft alive.
Posted by timi NC (Member # 576) on :
The best thing about being a signpainter is the innocent look of wonderment in a childs eye when they see the festive decorations at a sporting and or special event,....take away the work we have done and somewhere deep down inside I know it wouldn't be the same. Its that sparkle in the kid at the grocery store tellin his mom to LOOK! a hot wheels mommy,when they see my flamed van.Its that wonder in their eyes when they see the mural mom and dad had this scruffy lookin guy with a beard paint on their bedroom walls,....its the sparkle ya see in the old dudes eyes when he sees his boat name in gold on his transom,....the list goes on,....
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
One of the many experiences I've had over the years was when called to do some Gold leaf lettering on glass at Columbia University.It was in their rare books and manuscripts section. Here I was with only a high school and trade school education, but the professors were fasinated and were asking all sorts of questions.
Posted by pierre (Member # 1462) on :
It used to be about a number of things, including, mainly, the $$s. For me now, and for the past 5 years, it's been getting pieces in high profile areas of visibility and publications. Once that actually happens you may consider that you've "arrived". Getting my engravings accepted by Abercrombie & Fitch, Ethan and Allen and Frame House Galleries was a big deal for me personally. Now its all about the kids. Any notoriety that brings them future business means that the studio has succeeded in some small way. If some of my artwork and non-commercial carvings remain long after I'm gone, then I've personally succeeded, but without my kids I wouldn't give a Tinker's damn one way or the other.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)