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It's Sunday, I'm waiting for paint to dry, and I'm in a philosophic mood. Bear with me.
Monte's post about the best things about being a signpainter left me thinking about what kind of impact we have on our communities, and what we leave behind; not just in the signs we do, but in the impression we make with our personalities and reputations.
One of the perks of my business is that I have an active influence in the appearence of the community I work in. The towns in my market, especially Mystic Ct., are major tourism destinations; people come from all over the country (and the world). My sense is that they come looking for a place that does not look like where they came from; Mystic does not and should not look like where they've come from, or what's the point? Signs are an integral part of that visual equation; how they relate to the overall image of a community is as important as the task they perform for the businesses they advertise.
Yet, by their very nature, most signs are temporary at best. Businesses open and close - for example, every glass-gold job I've ever done (about a half-dozen over the years)has been removed because a business closed, or moved. Yet glass gilding, properly cared for, can last for centuries. Oh well. As for the other signs I've done, I can expect an outdoor life of maybe ten to fifteen years; hopefully more from HDU, but that remains to be seen.
So bottom line is, once I'm gone, there might be a few of my signs still around for ten years or so - and that's about it. So it's more important to be remembered for other aspects - reputation, etc. If I'm remembered at all, I'd prefer it to be for having raised the bar in terms of what signage means to the visual impression people have of a community. Hopefully, whoever follows in my footsteps will remember that.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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One hellacious load of firearms! ....and, of course, my beloved children to carry on the carving tradition.
k31
Changed my mind. I'm takin' it all with me.
[ August 03, 2003, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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I've just about given up on leaving something behind apart form genes. I did a carved cedar panel a few years ago for a relatives house. Red cedar cut from the property, laminated and carved in Art Deco style with an inlaid glue chipped and gilded glass panel surrounding an illustration of a rose. Mounted on modestly ornate brackets I made using a mates forge and ironworking tools. The house burnt down and the panel burnt with it. More recently I did a reproduction Gitanne cigarette advertisement in reverse on glass as a present for a long time friend. It was broken whilst moving house. I think I'll stick to making commercial signs, at least I have a few of them still standing from the time of my apprenticeship, and there is no sense of loss if they are destroyed. Then again, there is still that cotton reel box that I found at the flea markets with the really cool logo on the lid that would look great on glass ...
-------------------- David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com Trying out a new tag: "Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth Peter Ustinov Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I hope to leave my knowledge with some young punk who walks in my shop someday. Much like Ronnie Dion did for me. Other that that I see a large pile of Scrap vinyl, used exacto blades and a bucket of dirty thinner in the corner. Oh yeah, the young punk who shows me he or she has passion will get my brushes and sign kit.
Cam, I want to see your Barret go into the sign painters Museum. That's the thing I will always remember about you. Plus painting a spaceship drunk at midnight. Oh, the memories!
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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I am currently working with the Washington Antique Carousel Society (Vulunteer) on a Carousel that will be going in the Point Difiance Zoo here in Western Washington State. The animals will be all hand carved. Although I am not a carver, I am working on the over all color schemes, some murals, and painting of the animals.When I'm gone, my name will be on the plaque and my work will still there long after I'm gone. PS Hopefully I will be able to work (Touch-up, Etc.) on this carousel till my body gives out. But wait, I've got a long way to go yet. When I get really up there, I would like to be know as the old lady artist, like Georgia O'Keefe.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3933 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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there is a song by LEE HAYS thats on an arlo guthry tape that sums up what i want to leave. its called compost heap. its just a little ditty...goes like this: IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I WAKE,ALL MY BONE AN SENUE TAKE, PUT ME IN THE COMPOST PILE .....TO DECOMPOSE ME FOR A WHILE. WORMS, WATER, SUN WILL HAVE THEIR WAY, RETURNING ME TO COMMON CLAY. ALL THAT I AM WILL FEED THE TREES AND...LITTLE FISHES IN THE SEA. WHEN RADISHES AND CORN YOU MUNCH..... YOU MAY BE HAVING ME FOR LUNCH....... AND THEN EXCRET ME WITH A GRIN...CHORTLING........THERE GOES JOE AGAIN!!!
[ August 05, 2003, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Now isn't that just special.... OP, that's way to much information for early in the morning.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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I would say some of my fine art pieces, for a few hundred years, and most likely a few of my bronzeo sculptures for a few thousand. Seeing how those types of things have been preserved in the past. Possibly some of my woodturnings will make the next century also. Signs, maybe if I'm lucky.
Very few things are not built as "disposable" nowdays, and that bothers me a lot. I have always been one to save and take care of my stuff. I find most of it without value anymore. LP's, 8 tracks, Cassettes, CDs. What's next. I getting worn out.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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Hopefully I will leave behind some good memories for my sons Sean and Mark, like helping them make a sign for thier cabin at camp (where they are now) so they could win the "wildest looking cabin" contest.
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1899 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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I've done a few marble and granite headstones but, after a few thousand years, no one will remember who was buried there.......let alone know who the artisan was.
The most precious things I will leave behind are my children.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7405 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Lol Karen, know what you mean! just need to raise those prices! Alicia, Georgia O'Keefe is one of my very favorite artists, since I love surrealism and nature.
Well, if you ask me what I am leaving behind? I have to speak of this today, this minute..but, of course everyday brings more; besides great letterhead spirit and passion?
I have the hope that my children, family and friends know how much I truly cherish them and what they meant in my life! They must have the strength to carry on and not regret that I am going when my time comes. I only hope that they realize that there is an eternity of a rich spiritual life, as is there for them to live by and have when this life ends. We all have our concepts and perceptions of life and death, but this is mine. I would hope that I leave behind the knowledge of satisfaction of self confidence and the beauty of the opportunity to help others when possible, to enjoy the goodness of life and be sharp enough to realize our strengths and weaknesses, to turn disadvantage into advantage. To share the fact that there is no "end". I plan to live forever!
The riches of the world are insignificant compared to our families. The artistic mode in me brings me the means to express my innermost feelings through color, shape, sounds; a way to share communication without words.. From the finest artwork to the chalkings on sidewalks and little girl's fingernail paintings, I am enjoying it all..there were those nights up sewing halloween costumes or helping with a school poster, hat parades projects, etc. Learning the culinary art of salad chef gave me the opportunity of providing meals to my family that looked like tropical paradises, or a mood to match the occasion, merely with fruits, veggies and the like..or, learning gardening of different types and then participating in teaching children and adults how to grow a meal that they normally could not afford or obtain.. or,making maps of wonderous colorful places, right down to plastering my bathroom walls with national geographic pictures! lots of things, lots of skills, music, dance, sports, this is art, but, the art of being a person...having the role of a mother, sister, granddaughter, wife, daughter, cousin, grandmother, niece, sis-in-law, aunt, to others, is something I am giving while I am here, with memories and lots of laughter when I have moved on.
And, if you are in the mood for reading, maybe you might like the book (movie also), "Left Behind", is one of my favorites. Just another way of looking at this
[ August 06, 2003, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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I guess the thing I'm most proud of is the legacy or heritage of honor and integrity. They say the true worth of a man is shown by how many people show at his funeral.
I would be content to leave behind a good son, my two grand sons, a wonderful supportive wife, and a small community who respected me not just for my work or vision, but for my unbreakable integrity and honesty. For that lasts longer than any sign ever built or painted. I would also wish to have the respect of those who work with me. Don't call me "boss" or "owner" I just happen to be the guy who signs the checks. My people are my equal. Many times my superior, but always my friends.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3503 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3503 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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What you leave behind is the world that the next generation must live in, and not just the physical world.
What have you done to preserve morality and kindness? If you like talking about what you leave behind, what have you done to preserve freedom of speech? If you're leaving behind firearms, what have you done to maintain the right to keep and bear arms? If you're concerned about the plight of the poor and downtrodden,there are charites that are constructive, that do more than just feeding those people (Mercy Corps). It is absolutely true that honor and integrity includes "hurting as few people as possible", but we can go beyond that and have an impact on more than our own lives.
As for myself, I'll try to maintain my priorities by also being mindful of the eternal.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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