posted
Just in case some of you (us) may have the idea that you are a rather exceptional sign artist and that you know just about all that can be known, I have a quick remedy for your condition. Just attend David Butler's Workshop and get a good dose of humble pie.
This past weekend David and Susie came to Texas and conducted an intense workshop on how to use the compter (mainly Photoshop) to design and present your work. The class was small but very interested in improving their skills. Some were young and just getting into the business while others were old timers....and no, I wasn't the oldest there. Joe Crumley from Norman, Oklahoma beat me out by about four years.
For years I have admired David's work and was always amazed at his level of ability. After this weekend that admiration has gone to awe. David shares his years of study and allows the rest of us to peek into his world and how he accomplishes what he does. And all the while you are looking at the genius of his abilities you are also seeing a tremendously humble man who knows what it is like to struggle to learn.
After hearing of David's workshop there were a lot of people that said if we could get him to Texas that they would sign up to attend. Well....David came to Texas, but none of those people showed up. I was the only one from Texas there. It was very disappointing for me, but extremely exciting at the same time. I believe that all of us there were taken to a new level of our profession and as a result will never approach our design process in the same way again.
To those who may be thinking about attending one of the Butler Workshops, I would encourage you to make whatever sacrifice is necessary. Yes, it is expensive, but you will receive a lot more than it costs you to go. David and Susie have poured themselves into this project and it is readily apparent that they love this profession. They didn't make any money coming to Texas, but they made a seven people very happy.
[ October 20, 2003, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi Raymond... Shucks, I thought you had gone to Butler, PA for dessert. I had the pleasure of getting to breathe the same air as David and Susie in Cincinnati in 1994. They are both great folks. Nice, down-to-earth, and with is so much talent that it is awe-inspiring. But you're also a role model for me, Mister Chapman... Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
More later, going “visiting” before catching my flight.
By the way, “Happy Birthday” Raymond!!
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA
"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." Benjamin Franklin Posts: 642 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
I'm still choking here on account I had to cancel. I'm sure I would have learned lots and had a great time rubbing elbows with my heroes!
Glad to hear it went well!
-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: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dan, your name came up quite often as we gathered for dinner or just sitting around discussing the sign world situation. Some of it was good. No, seriously, we kept thinking out loud, "Wouldn't it be great if Dan was here?". There were a lot of stories and we knew that you would have been able to add a lot more.
You were missed. Maybe you can make one of the workshops in the future. You will have a ball.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
For those of you still riding the fence about attending one of David's workshops, the answer is.....JUST GO!! Sell some tools, borrow from a relative (tell them it is an investment in your future) or eat crackers for a couple months. Whatever it takes will be worth the experience.
I have admired David Butler's work since starting out in this business and to finally meet him and his great wife Susie was the best. To actually feel that they are now real friends is even better. Just great people.
The days were intense with many hours at the computer trying to grasp all that knowledge of Photoshop, which David makes look so easy to manipulate. He only had to yell at some of us a couple of times over the weekend. I actually edited nodes in my sleep Saturday night!(between trains)
The breaks and nights out to dinner were pure entertainment with many stories told and a few waitresses and restaurant guests traumatized. The next time you see David and Susie, ask them about the "Texas Super Burrito" (this rare phenomenon may appear on the web soon) or about the "FreezeCat". (I won't even go into that one here) As they say..."you just had to be there!"
It was nice meeting all the new faces and seeing some old friends. Thanks to Raymond for putting up with me all weekend.
I just can't get over how that when you get a bunch of letterheads together that it just feels like a big family. No other trade even comes close!
posted
Mark was a great room mate, even though he snored a lot. But then I paid him back several times, too. I've known Mark for some years, but spending some extended time together was much better than the occasional Letterhead meet. We all agreed that he needs to make a CD of all his "voices" and special stories.
After seeing some of Mark's work, David's comment was, "Why are you taking this class?". From a small town in Oklahoma, Mark is doing some really first class designs.
David and Susie were off to California Sunday afternoon to get ready for the next workshop in Lodi. You folks out there are in for a great treat. And David has a special way of making you feel dumb without bruising your ego. His humble attitude lets you know that he is struggling right along with you. I am not a computer person by any means, but David always found some little something that I was doing right and gave me a pat on the back. There were also some of those times when his comment was, "Why-you-do-dat?".
Again, thanks to all that came to the workshop. I knew that if we could get David and Susie down here that he would put on a great show. And he did.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I attended the seminar earlier this month in New Hampshire. I must agree...it was awe inspiring. David and Susie are great folk. Really down to Earth. A lot of people with David's talents can become primadonnas (even downright a**holes) But David is truly the salt of the earth type guy. So...TAKE THE SEMINAR!!! It works!! It's great!!
Mark
-------------------- Mark Rogan The Great Barrington Sign Company 2 Stilwell Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 mark@gbsignco.com
"Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of fonts" Posts: 332 | From: Great Barrington, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
By the way, “Happy Birthday” Raymond!!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic