Donna, the rooster & I made it back to the valley safe and sound. Janis loves him!
Sue & her gang hosted an awesome meet in Nanaimo! The meet was friendly and well organized. About 60 folks gathered to share tricks & skills of the trade.
The goal of the meet was learning and learning we certainly did. Lots of great workshops. Lots of knowledge changed hands both formally in sessions and informally between participants.
I saw some awesome panels being created too!
It was great to meet again with old friends and aquaintances as well as make many more new ones.
The facility was really different this round with the meet taking place in a mall. The happenings were scattered throughout the mall in empty storefronts as well as on center stage, displays through the public areas and some work taking place on storefronts with Adrienne painting some splashes.
Cars were being worked on right there in the mall... it was cool.
As a presenter it was a little different having a meet in that type of venue... the comments and questions from the general public were of a different nature than those from fellow letterheads, but I believe it was cool as everyone was being educated!
We had a leisurely dinner on Saturday night, with lots of time for visiting and conversation. There's a story there for sure!
Thanks to Susan and her crew!!!!!
I had a blast!
-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: 8768 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dan, were you speeding again?!? I can't believe you beat me to this post.
I agree, we had a blast! There are so many stories to tell, pictures to share, will have to fill you in more after a good night's snooze.
I will say this. There is nothing quite like driving through a major city with a HUGE cement rooster on a signpost standing up in the back of the truck... still can't figure out what all the stares and smiles were about.
posted
Dan and Donna, thank you both so much for coming to our meet. We still have several stray bodies all over our house. Rhonda and Adrienne in cots in our livinb room, John Jordan down the hall, John Lennig and Tim Rieck camped in our driveway and Gregg Smith, Pat and Ruth Welter hold up in a hotel nearby. All very special people...thank you all. Sue
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1325 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Well 2 thumbs up go to Sue and the rest of the crew putting on the Splash. I'd like to thank them, the many sponsors & instructors who donated their time, knowledge and supplies to help all of us newbies.
I've never been to a meet before and everyone (that I met) checked egos at the door and helped each other like long lost brothers and sisters. It was also great to put "real" faces with those I've seen on the BB or have talked to via email or on the phone. And yes Tim Rieck does have a face & I have a picture to prove it
So much was going on all around that the sponge in me was saturated in the first evening and the rest was a blur. I did enjoy seeing some true masters at work and even though I couldn't snatch the brush from their hands I knew I had come to the right place to learn some incredible skills.
I'm hoping to finish up my "boat" lettering panel this week so I can start practicing on my pinstriping technique.
Thanks again to the many who helped make this possible and such a memorable event.
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
Thanks Sue and gang, what a great experience. My first meet and I had a great time. Like Donna I ran the gammut of emotions/feeling before, during and after the meet. Anticipation (and some trepidation) before the meet, exitement and awe at the meet, including bewilderment/frustration of learning gold guilding from a true master. Afterwards, a let down that it ended and there were people I had not had the oppertunity to meet and talk with.
I did not bring a panel to the meet, I felt badly that I did not, but I certainly would bring something to the next meet.
Got to meet some great people, some I've met right here, and now can put a personality to the face. I hope I wasn't to pesky, but I've got so much to learn, and I learn best by watching and asking questions.
I took the fridge home for my friend Stu, took some time today to add something to it, and he picked it up tonight. I'll send a picture to Steve to post for you all.
I'm certainly inspired to try what I've learned over the weekend. Yes John, I will finish that glass panel. I won't cheat again, so you dont have to hit me again. lol.
I'm pumped to do more with my airbrush, thanks George for all you showed us. You are as much an entertainer as you are an artist.
I'm also going to build a mailbox for the end of our driveway, but not an ordinary mailbox, but a Dan Sawasky inspired mailbox. It'll look like a tree with a branch coming out of it that is cut, the branch being the mailbox itself. Instead of a flag it'll have a brach with a few leaves. I'll keep you all posted if I can pull it off.
Tim, thanks for the plate, even if I has to help myself to it... lol I'll send you some shoulder flashes in the next week or so.
The other feeling I came back with is one of frustration with myself. Looking over those portfolio's was very inspiring, yet at the same time a reality check. I've got a such a long way to go. But it's a journey I'm going to take, and thanks to Letterville, it should be a great journey.
Salmon anyone?
Mike, your cabby is now employee of the month.
George, someone called the SPCA about a chicken being left in the back of someone's truck.
Dan, did that chiken try to take flight?
[ September 23, 2003, 03:01 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
-------------------- "Are we having fun yet?" Peter Schuttinga DZines Sign Studio 1617 Millstream rd Victoria BC V9B-6G4 Posts: 521 | From: Victoria BC | Registered: Mar 2002
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Thanks to Susan, we had SO much fun, so many things to do and see....
I picked up some extra splash work here at the mall and finished it tonight. Sue even came down and helped me before treating me to dinner at her house...ok.. so it wasn't The 'Montana'......
I can't wait to get home and download all the pictures! I'm too tired to see straight so I will share more when I get back home.
Hope everyone has a safe trip...John did you catch your flight home to Oz ok?
posted
Still fuming here that we missed this one. You did good Susan and crew. As a result of this meet, Canada's west coast should have the foundation of a strong Letterhead group.
The Mall idea was a very cool idea. A wonderful opportunity to share our skills and passion with the public. Please fill us in on the whole mall experience Susan. What were the pros and cons?
We can hardly wait to see the photos. Get them to us as fast as you can and we'll get to work on your meet page. Choose photos that tell the story from beginning to end, save them at 72dpi and email to steve@letterhead.com.
As usual, we're looking for a first timer to supply us with a meet report. Peter Schuttinga might want to voluteer for this one. He's already off to a great start in his post. Now that's what I call excitement!
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
Wow ...what a great time....Sue and your crew, Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you,...I'm Sure they were just beat at the end of the day with the running and getting things in order...Norm kept saying no he wasn't tired but I'll bet he crashed early sunday night...Sue also thank your husband Mike for the pick up at the airport and the general "Oh honey can you go and pick this up for me..." and Thanks too for getting us to the airport to go home even though we didn't want to...We really met some great new folks as well as got together with some of our oldest and dearist friends....the most exciting thing for me is to see the light go on as folks stand around taking in the demos...you can just see the expression on thier faces that says "hey I can do this"....A prime example of this was after showing Mike R. how to sharpen his carving chisels he went off to work on his own, as I continued with a piece I was preparing for the next day I could hear this giggling go on behind me..It was Mike just working away...the Light had come on... Thanks again to all including sponsors we truely had a grand time....Pat and Ruth.
-------------------- Pat Welter Masterhand Signs and Designs Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada Posts: 1304 | From: Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada | Registered: May 1999
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Susan, you did it! and with great style and professionalism. I cant thankyou enough for such a great time, and the new friendships and skills I got to take home with me. Thanks also to all your helpers who worked so hard to make our experiences ones to be treasured.
So much to do and so little time. I only wish there was more time to fully participate in all of what was going on. Glass gilding with John Jordan was the topper. John is a kind and gentle man, and with what must have been extreme patience to continually answer our same questions over and over. I think many of us beginners were intimidated by the fine detail of the glass panel we were about to produce but John managed to instill confidence in us all. By the meets end, all the panels I saw would hang with great pride in their respective shops.
I had the pleasure of spending alot of time with John on monday while we were waiting for our ferry and the trip back to the mainland. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and the many stories, and look forward to it again sometime! I do hope you made your flight ok. I know it was going to be cutting it close.
As I had the time when my glass panel was drying before the next process, I did get the chance to drop in on some of the other events taking place throughout the meet. I saw some awesone airbrush effects being layed down in George MacKinnons class and also some intense chrome letters coming out of Rhondas group. I an saddened that I missed all of Mike Meyers handlettering classes, but I did have the chance to look over his shoulder on many occasions as he slung his brush around all over the panel jam room. It was truly amazing as he made it look so effortless, but you know that each stroke was placed with care as to where it was going.
Pat Welter! Thankyou so much for taking the time from your project to help me sharpen my new chisels. I believe it was me that you were thinking about giggling away as I made some chips with my new tools. I should also thank Clark Garnett for allowing us into his shop late after hours that night to continue working on our projects. And then there is Cal Trauter who I was in awe with as I watched him twirl and spin his brush. It was magic! I thank you as well for putting down your brush to make sure that my new brushes were properly prepared, oiled and ready for action.
Another high point was watching Dan Sawatsky as he shaped and stroked his giant chicken sculpture. If you stood close enough, you could just feel the joy coming out from this man as he created one of his masterpieces. And Adrienne Morgans window splash was another fine work of art, and I am glad to hear it lead her to more work before she leaves for home. It would have surprised me if it didn't! It was a treat to spend some social time with you, and what a neat Lady.
Shmooozing right along! There was lots of it about, and what a diverse bunch of fantastic people and talent. It made it hard to say goodbye when the time came. I enjoyed the company an conversation of so many people. John Lennig, thanks for the panel, I hope to stop by and return the favour one day. And Donna was simply just a fun person to be around, and I do have your "happy (maul) stick" made which I will send out to you. Brian Diver, please talk to my publicist before you post any pictures of me thankyou, hehehehe. Adrienne has the only shot approved for release at this point! I was glad to meet Peter Schuttinga, another fellow firefighter. Being sneaky and stealing the plate is how its supposed to be done, good job man!
It didn't stop there, Stevo, Glenn Thompson and wife Nancy, and the many many more fine folks I chatted with. Forgive me that I cant mention you all by name here, but everyone of you added to my experience at the Splash as one that will be lingering in my mind for many days to come, and truly never forgotten.
There are a special group of people out here in the world, and they are called Letterheads! Get out there and meet some. You wont be dissappointed!
Thank you all from a humbled Tim.....
-------------------- Tim Rieck Signs Halfmoon Bay, BC Posts: 736 | From: Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 2000
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My apologies to you Tim for calling you Mike....I have a bro. Mike and a bro. Tim... and tend to mix up their names too when we get together...I really did enjoy watching you face light up when you found out you could really do this...good luck and happy carving eh...Pat
-------------------- Pat Welter Masterhand Signs and Designs Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada Posts: 1304 | From: Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada | Registered: May 1999
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I just Splashed Down here about an hour ago, having spent a few extra days on The Island. Didn't want to get back to "Reality", I guess!!!
As others before me have said, DITTO!!!The 3 days passed Very Fast, it was over too soon!!!
putting People to faces and names.... sogood, we tend to work in isolation at times, and this weekend , for me, really will help to break out of that rut!
Almost any way the compass points, a road trip will include letterheads to call/visit/jam/trade with.
Susan and her Posse have done a lot of us a great service!! Thank you all.
John Lennig / SignRider / BIG TOP Graphics
I also reconnected with an old sign comrade from days gone by....wouldn't have happened without the Meet....
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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We just got back this morning after a flight from Seattle. After the meet, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and made side trips to Qualcum, Victoria, Mt. Douglas, and Sidney. Truly a beautiful island. The meet was wonderful, with a different twist being in a mall. Lots of stuff going on everywhere, talented craftsmen carving masks, printing shirts, gilding glass, airbrushing, and even heraldry. If you blinked, you'd miss Adrienne's lightning-fast splashes, or Dan's rooster carving. And of course, it's always a pleasure hanging out with Donna, who got a "kid reprieve" for the weekend, and John Jordan, a master and a gentleman. The best part of a meet for me is making new friends, and the Canadians are definitely the warmest, friendliest people on earth. But why wouldn't they be - they live in paradise!
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I must say, Tim looks just like his picture on the bb! LOL!!!!
Tim met Dan and I in the parking lot as we arrived. We didn't know who he was until he held a life size happy face with a green bowtie in front of his face.. LOL!!! Say Tim, you still owe the waitress a couple dollars for your drink! This guy is a funny dude.
Seeing Sonny and his beautiful wife was really cool. I snuck up on him and whispered BBQ PIZZA in his ear, he turned around and the rest is history. Sonny, the party was quiet cuz you didn't bring any beer! Were't you the beer guy?
I was airbrushing beside Peter and didn't even know who he was! Seems he grew some facial hair since his bb pic was taken. Peter's a very cool guy.
Adrienne, it was a blast. Adrienne was my chauffeur for alot of my stay. And my laughin' partner. Cheer up, BC food is exquisite! LOL! Soooo talented. A, you'd better be rich the next time I see you, your work should accept no less. I had a cold during the meet and kept sneezing. A started with very polite Excuse You's, and near the end it was a sneering, Excuse ME!!! LOL!!! Hope you stayed healthy.
John Jordan, A and I were fighting over you. A won and you two are an item. I'm so happy for you both. What a cool guy this dude is. I hope you found your maulstick!!! I left the meet and forgot to get it back to you!
Dan, what can I say. I doubt I'll ever drive around with a huge rooster statue in the back of a truck in the near future. Still laughing at the coke in each hand move... is that what keeps you ticking? Maybe I ought to try the stuff. Thanks again for the drive, laughs, and conversation. I think I learned a few things. This guy is a walking book/comic/mastermind and very fun to be around. Except for when you want to hand letter something... SPILL. Janis had cleaned Dan's truck before I got in it, apparently Dan was just going to 'shovel' it out but Janis said NO WAY. You rock Janis! Janis, your face must hurt from laughing so much living with that rooster carver of yours.
Rhonda, man this girl can letter trucks!!! Thanks for letting me slide into that airbrushing course late. I'm anxious to get myself an airbrush to play with.
Mike, man can you letter! You need to burn that picture. BURN BABY BURN. This guy is one very funny guy to hang with. Orange and blue anyone??? Don't beat up any phones on your way home, it doesn't make them work better.
Susan and Sandi, didn't get to yak with you two much, soooo busy. You did a bang up job with the meet though. I'm still wishing that great food was within my reach 24/7.
Brian, wasn't it cool coloring as we were waiting only 4 short hours for our dinner at Montana's? I think the place was hoping for free artwork. Great to meet you!
John Lennig, it was a pleasure once again! You sure know how to letter! I'd like to hang over your shoulder abit longer next time we 'meet'.
George, I finished my panel! I will airbrush one day again soon! Now if I didn't leave the darn panel at the meet!!!!! Funny guy this one is.
Sorry for those I missed. It was a wild time and I'm glad Dan and my hubby talked me into going. I miss everyone so much!!!
I want to say thank you to all the old friends, and the new ones that I met at the meet for the wonderful camaraderie that I enjoyed during the week end.
Particularly Susan and her cohorts, Sandi, Norm,Grant,and Dave, it was one of the best meets that I have ever attended, excluding our meet in Sydney of course, and the venue was exceptional.
To my students, I say thank you for putting up with my pedantic and some times stubborn attitudes to obtain the best results for you, as you are now to become the flag wavers of the future.
To my play friends, thanks for for a great time.
Individually I have some messages for you.
Adreinne, you alone know the value of your work, GO for it.
Donna, yes I did get my Mahl stick, I hope that it helped you, sorry that I didn't recognise you first up, you didn't have the baby on your hip.
John L, Tim R, Peter S and all the others, great to at long last put faces to names, and spent time with each of you in and out of the classroom.
Rose L and Leya C thank you for the card, this entitles you to free lessons anytime.
Sonny, Great to see you too, last time was Dublin 1996.
Lastly I would like to extend an open invitation to all of you, only two at a time please, to visit and stay in "God's Country" out here in the "REAL" South Pacific
Keep your sables wet, John
-------------------- Aussie John Caringbah, N.S.W. Australia
man makes a thing of beauty of that which he loves Posts: 148 | From: Caringbah, N.S.W. Australia | Registered: Oct 2001
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Welcome home John, Glad you are home, safe and sound. All the best for the Australian meet this weekend. Hugs and kisses from Nanaimo....we miss you already. Sue
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1325 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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I too am finally home....I tried to make it last as long as I possibly could....
I had a wonderful time in Nanaimo...made some new, dear friends, got more encouragement than I deserve and left with a new look at life.
John, your wisdom and humor made this meet particularly special to me....I'm gonna 'go for it'
I want to thank Susan and Mike especially for their warm hospitality. They truly made me feel like one of the family. You are welcome at Hotel Splash any time!
Same goes for all my 'play friends' as well!!
I have a lot to reflect on...and lots of photos to download...more comments later as I think of them.
posted
Adrienne, Glad you made it home safely. If you had stayed around we would have put you up in the bucket of our truck and put you to work on an emergency job we received today. Dave Clothier of Marshall Signs, is excited about receiving his window 'Splash' Sign kit you made for him and I can't wait to try mine. It was a joy to have you stay with us. The door is always open. I hope you take to heart everything that people have said this weekend. You are a very talented lady and your artwork has great value. Don't just settle for the crumbs because you do deserve the whole loaf. (Come on other Letterheads...we have to convince Adrienne that she should hold her price...she is worth it) I may stop by the pet store within the next week and make sure the owner is happy with his designs....ha! Ha! Thank you for being you, you are precious, you are real, now get out there and kick butt. Love Sue
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1325 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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