"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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Yeah, the Signcraft has shown up again. Features the same old profiles done 5, 7, or 10 years ago. I have an idea for a segment. Call it "someone you've never heard of before". Otherwise it's the same talent recycled every few years. Why there's a need to chronical the lives of people who bounce in and out of the craft is beyond me.
The photos are nice and the obligatory article telling me to become a design/print shop is always there. Oh Well.
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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I don't know if you're referring to my article, actually, but if you are, I might suggest you reread it.
I'm thinking we covered this same issues on this board when my last article came out.
If you're thinking or feeling that RIch Dombey is a bad example of a good direction you might want to take your sign business, I think that's OK, and it certainly doesn't work for everyone. But I can tell you Rich is one of the most successful people I know in the sign business - period.
And if you believe myself to be a bad example as well, or my contributions, or things that I personally advocate on a whole to the industry - well, I'm sorry you feel that way.
For me, Rich is the poster child for where the sign business should be striving to go - and I'm a little unsure why that you might feel so strongly the opposite.
And if I'm off base, well then let me apologize in advance. I do tend to take it a little personal, perhaps only because I care very deeply about the business. It's always been my intention to have the trade and the work done by professionals viewed as such.
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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Mine just came yesterday. I flipped it open and saw a beautiful little girl on page eight with some guy I can't wait to meet. I can't wait to go through the entire issue. Signcraft is one great magazine.(well worth my money)
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Tom and staff at SignCraft are always on the look-out for new folks to feature in the magazine.
Mike, you might want to submit some of your work or write an article.
Personally, I never get tired of looking at and reading SignCraft. And most of those old guys are personal friends whose work I have admired (and copied) for years.
If you think there is a problem, become part of the solution.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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You know the irony is - is that Tom is always looking for fresh faces and new work - and people don't usually send their own stuff in. The way I was first featured some ten years ago was by sending in a bunch of pics with my subscription renewal. It's not rocket science, or anything magical. But you gotta send it to be in it!
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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Thanks Dan. Just wasn't sure if they accepted unsolicited material. I use to write and do some Photography articles for the now defunct Military Modeler Magazine in the 80s and always enjoyed sharing work and tips around the country and the world. It is so much easier now with the internet.
quote:Originally posted by Dan Antonelli: But you gotta send it to be in it!
Yep, they called me a few months ago. I had some stuff ready but got totally buried in work and let time get away from me.
And, I don't care if most of the articles and stuff are from the same people. It still the best darn sign magazine on planet. Antonelli's articles (particularly his latest one) make the subscription well worth every penny.
And if any of you think you can do better, then do it. Lets see what ya got! Send it in.
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That's all it takes folks, a little initiative on our part. Tom and John are very enjoyable to work with. They are always looking for good stories and input from readers. Don't hold your breath, but there might be a bit on Dawgee coming up....
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I have been looking at sign craft for some 20 years and said wow it would be cool to be in a magizine like Sign craft. it has been just in the last 2 years or so that i have been sending in my work. Some times i will e-mail something and say what do you think...
i guess it is like the lottery can't win unless you play! Tom always says in the begining of the magazine that they cannot do it with out us, and that they are always looking for new stuff. i think the people on this board could surely add to the magazine as the portfoilo page is full of stuff that could be in Signcraft. it is just a matter doing it.
This industry needs the beginers as well as the OLD timers (like Antonelli...did you notice the grey hair in his picture...gretian formula dude)to keep the trade alive.
just my opinon..
LOVELADY
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
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I use to send stff to signcraft many years back i just stopped trying as they never really seemed interested in a small time aussie. I did get a couple pics in there years back but thats it i actually send heaps of pics evan offered step by steps and articles as at the time i was doing just that for an aussie airbrush mag and auto art were asking for me to contriblue to there mag but then never heard back from them either. Guess my style just isnt what they are after.
I still like the mag thou!
Cheers! Rod
-------------------- Rod from, EAST COAST AIRBRUSHING "Airbrush Art & Graphics" Nambour; Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Australia E.mail: rod@rodticklesigns.com Web: www.rodticklesigns.com Posts: 635 | From: Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland | Registered: Dec 1998
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I wonder why signcraft would not do an article on you Rod. You are one of Australias well known signwriters for signcraft not to feature you is a bit narrow minded if you are sending them a heap of photos. I like the mag too but get it now and then these days.
-------------------- Mark Stokes Mark Stokes Signs Mount Barker South Australia Posts: 388 | From: Mount Barker | Registered: Jan 2005
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I've spoken to Tom and editors of the magazines many times. They are ALWAYS looking for more people and work to feature.
The last time I spoke to Tom he again told me things I already knew. To be featured in a magazine you need TWO things. The first is good work, preferrably a little different and more creative than the run of the mill stuff. There are plenty of shops who qualify. The second and just as important qualification to appear there is GREAT photographs of your work.
Tom has expressed to me a number of times how he sees so much great work which is photographed badly and therefore not publishable. Editors and the publishing staff are always working to tight dealines and don't have the time nor resources to take the pictures themselves.
I've also heard the similar comments about work which is entered in competitions. Great work which is photographed badly doesn't win.
The editors have lots to choose from in both signs and quality of photographs. They only pick the best.
Photographs must be focussed, with good color and non-cluttered backgrounds and foregrounds. Lighting is critical.
By all means send in pictures and information of your work... but make sure they are of sufficient quality to appear there. You may be pleasantly surprised to see your work appear there!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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yes i'm sure this true in many cases Dan but I know my pics were in focas and I thought a little different too. Being in another country on the other side of the globe, I thought may have been of interest too but it seems most times when I flick thru the mag there were huge pics of VERY dull signs and the kewl stuff either didnt get in there or was just small gap fillers.I've won a awards in another american & Aussie sign/airbrush mags and done articles so i know the photo quality was good. I may have to try harder to be creative with my work maybe. I havent sent my work in now for years as ive been disheartened plus I'm happy just doing what i'm doing. This is by NO way a shot at you Dan as you know i LOVE your work along with sooo many great artists up there (too many to mention- but all my heros and insperation) I just wish there was MORE KEWL stuff shown instead of showing a half page pic of a crappy sign when they could put pics of great work in that spot. I know what your saying thou. keep up the great work mate!
Rod
-------------------- Rod from, EAST COAST AIRBRUSHING "Airbrush Art & Graphics" Nambour; Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Australia E.mail: rod@rodticklesigns.com Web: www.rodticklesigns.com Posts: 635 | From: Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland | Registered: Dec 1998
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WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO got my copy on Friday, gotta love that mag. Looking at everyone elses work got me to push myself to always try and do better than the sign before. I've learned a lot of tricks over the years, found a few of my own and then modified some more to suit me better.
I don't "copy" the styles that I see but combine different ideas to create my own style. Then a few years back, around 2000-2001 I sent in some stuff and Tom got in touch with me and that's when I was featured for the first time...... got that "Mikes"... someone never seen before ? Of course my chances to be featured would have probably been thin if I sent in pictures of coros with black helvetica stretched text on it!!!
Send in nice stuff, nice pictures, write them an e-mail, drop them a line... they are fantastic people doing an incredible job and they have been the vehicle of the brain juice I need 6 times a year since the mid-eighties.
John and Tom are doing an excellent job and I always look forward to my next issue, and for the "Mikes" of this world, well if I say what I want to say, I won't be allowed to post anymore, so I'd rather keep the right to communicate with my friends and leave behind those who deserve to be left behind...
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Dan if the editors like the stuff people send in why don't they get in contact with them(if they have left there contact details) if they need better images or whatever email is not a hard thing this day and age. Rod has a good quality camera you can see that when he uploads photos here. In MY OPINION ONLY if it aint in signcrafts backyard nothing else matters. It is still a great magazine though but could just go that little bit better.
-------------------- Mark Stokes Mark Stokes Signs Mount Barker South Australia Posts: 388 | From: Mount Barker | Registered: Jan 2005
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"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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I agree it wouldn't hurt SignCraft to have a little diversity. Maybe they could have a section in brown paper for Bad Photographer/Great Signpainter? After all, a great layout can be learned from even if the guy who took the pic wasn't a professional photog.
-------------------- Patrick Wedel North Country Signs Barron, Wisconsin Posts: 72 | From: Barron, WI | Registered: Dec 2004
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