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Big John Brassell of Natchez Ms died Wednesday of an aortic-aneurysm. He was featured many times in trade magazines in the late 80's and early 90's and was an avid Letterhead attendee until health and finances began to fail him. He also won many Signs of the Times design awards.
"Big" as his friends referred to him, LOVED SIGNS. He was lightning fast with a brush, and pin-point accurate. He used to tell me "Remember, Innovation-not Imitation", that's what will set you apart". He was an innovator of composition and rendering letter-forms (styles). He was also a patient teacher whose own enthusiasm motivated anyone who wanted to learn. Guys, if you don't know some of these "Old Timers" who paved the roads we tread upon I encourage you to do so. There aren't many left, and they are full of wisdom and respect for this beloved craft of ours.
Just wanted to pass along some names of his favorite Letterheads and Brushmasters - Mike Stevens, Keith Knecht, Sam Patino, Gary Anderson, Russ Mowry, John Cox, Cap, Charlie Thames, Al Grand, Ebberhardt, Bob Harper, Raymond Chapman, Mike Jackson, Tom Lemeuix, Chester Cunningham and the McIltrot brothers at Signcraft. He spoke often of all of you.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Patsy and two sons and two daughters. If he could say goodbye to you as he did to me many times past he would say something like "Paint em purty to knock folks out of their cars when they see em". I miss him deeply and so will our craft.
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What is going on this week? Donny, thank you for sharing the sad news. Do you have any pictures of his work that you can post for us? Sending our love to his wife and children.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Thanks for your response. I have four of his signs and some pictures but I rarely access the internet and I don't know how to post them.Maybe Steve could post some of Big John's Signcraft profile pics.
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Donny, Email them to me if they're in your computer... ChefRavenSF@aol.com I'll be happy to post them for you. If you know the SignCraft issues I can see if I can look them up. I don't have too many left but the ones I do have are from the 80s & 90s.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Wow...just when you think you can take a deep breath, something else happens.
Big John was a friend. We both admired (and imitated) Chester Cunningham. Back in the early days we exchanged photos and notes, but our trails separated somewhere along the line and it has been years since we had any correspondence.
Hanging on my wall is a framed certificate that reads: "Award of Excellence to Raymond Chapman for outstanding design and craftmanship, color and compostion in signage executed in the catagory of commercial signage and teaching. Presented by the International Brush Master Society for Exemplary Lettering and Graphic Design". It is dated June 15, 1994 and signed by Big John.
The comical part is that no such society existed -Big John just made it up as a favor...I guess. It has an official seal and looks beautiful. Whatever the reason, I thanked him and still cherish the thought that was behind it.
We are loosing some really great guys.
At Rick Glawson's funeral I challenged those present to be sure that they gave "flowers to the living" and told those whom they appreciated just how much they were loved. It's sad to hear people try to say those things over a casket.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The news about Big John is a shocker! He certainly affected my life in a positive manner, especially as a result of his 1977 book on sandblasted signs. I met him later in Memphis and we cross paths a number times after that. He was a creative wizard and a master of the brush when I met him. He kicked and screamed as the computers started changing the market, then when he finally made the switch , he was as hooked as any person I ever met.
We will all miss him. I've always treasured my signed copy of his book, but now it will have an even more special place on my bookshelves.
Mike Jackson
[ January 28, 2005, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: Golden ]
-------------------- Mike Jackson Golden Era Studios Jackson Hole, Wy www.goldenstudios.com/ Posts: 390 | From: PO Box 7850 | Registered: Nov 1998
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I never met "Big", but I can remember Donny talking about him from time to time. I'm sure he will be missed and I wish I had had the chance to meet him. Condolences to his family.
R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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And yet another great takes his place at the table. We should all reflect and strive to be the best we can, so some day we too will join with our brothers and sisters of the brush. Still, we will be sad here on earth.
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham House Springs, MO Posts: 654 | From: House Springs, MO | Registered: Apr 1999
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I remember years ago, when I first started getting Signcraft, that Big John was one of the first signmakers work that I saw in the magazine. I was in awe of these fine signpeople. It made me strive to be better, and I did get better, due to no small fact that people like Big John inspired me and many others. I didnt know him personally, but I sure would have liked to. God bless his family.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Big John was such an inspiration to so many. I first met Big John at Chuck Crawford's first meet in Naples, FL. That was my first meet too. I remember hearing Al Grand talking about Big John; evidently he regarded him very highly too. I saw Big John at a few other Letterheads meets and thought about him every time from Georgia to Texas and back on I-10. It's such a loss for our community.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I met John back in the late 80's at Mike Sheehans Sign Bash meet. That one year a lot of talent showed up. Mike Stevens was there as was John Cox, Doug Downey, Gary Anderson, and a few other my mind fails to remember. I do remember John meeting him and was extremely impressed by his talent and his personality. I can only hope that when I kick the bucket I'll be remembered as fondly as these old timers. I doubt we'll see many legends from the computer era as we did BC.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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One of the highlights of my sign career was having Big John and Keith Knecht walk into my shop when I was in Woodstock,GA...about '87 or '88 , real live celebrities...IN MY SHOP!!! WOW that was a treat. The signcraft with him on the cover came out soon after and I'm proud to say I was the first one to show it to him. He was one of the all time "real sign shop everyday - here's how you get it done" heroes of mine. I looked up his phone number in Natchez and it has sat here buried under notes next to my monitor for probably two years...should've called.
[ January 31, 2005, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: John Byrd ]
-------------------- John Byrd Ball Ground, Georgia 770-735-6874 http://johnbyrddesign.com so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody! Posts: 741 | From: Ball Ground, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 1999
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"Big John," one unique individual. John was one of the fastest brush mechanics I have ever seen and to top it off, he did casual lettering from the bottom up. That was something to see! An old friend of mine, K.D. Hayes of Monroe, La. taught Big John how to use a "flat" and taught him well! As Big John would have said, "He had one hell-of-a lick with a brush!" I also have one of those crazy "Brush Master" certificates that Big John created. Maybe someone should have an old timers meet before they're all gone.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Roy that's a great idea!!!!! Let me know if you need help planning the meet, LOL. Bob I *knew* you looked familiar; I met you at that meet at Mike's.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Never was priveledged unuff to meet him but he influenced me - saw his work in Signcraft & saw he was from Natchez, Mississippi - or working there or whatever - then I thought, hey I might can make a living making signs in my small Mississippi town too - - even tried to duplicate his "Swedish Airbrush" technique a time or two - what a Sad Loss . . . .my prayers go out to the family . . .
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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