We were talking about how well designed and good looking some grave markers are, as opposed to the standard zillions of "Cookie Cutters" out there, so some of the guys have designed and made markers for departed friends and family - and even lettered, striped and flamed caskets. The obvious problem as I see it is the recipient doesn't get to enjoy it. I believe Ed Roth would have approved of the custom attention his box got, alas, too late. You know the guys who make these for a living have probably not had any layout or design training. If you are a professional graphic designer will you want to go to your final reward knowing your eternal nameplate will be done most likely by a shoemaker with a stencil machine? A Quickie-Stickie? Your sign is your first impression. Well, how about your LAST? I wonder what Frank Atkinson's stone looks like?
I made my own a few years ago just to make sure I have one that I approve of. An old fashioned style sandblasted wood job that says:
Here Lies The Mortal Wreck of L A N G U E I N - - - - - - - - Thank God I'm an Atheist (All dressed up and nowhere to go)
Only lacks the dates - and if somebody puts it on there in Hell-Vetica I'm coming back to get 'em! I promise.
So I had the thought that since in years past at LetterHead meets we would swap signs, a twist on this would be to draw business cards and design each others' grave markers. Sound like fun? Yes or no --
How many of us have done this sort of work? Appreciate the art work found in old cemetaries? Have our own just sittin' & waitin' ?
Maybe a topic more suited to an October post?
------------------ "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Signmike@aol.com Mike Languein Doctor of Letters BS, MS, PhD ___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
posted
um Mikey.......this kinda gives me the willies. But I think I told ya, my Grandpa Otto (in Minnesota) made headstones for a living. So he was a sign maker too! 'Cept signs of a creepy kind. na na na nah! (snap snap) "they're creepy and they're spooky.......The Languein family.." na na na nah! (clic clic)
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Pierre was here.......................but he rose again.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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I have seen some masterpieces of design on grave markers, especially in old cemeteries. I walked through an old cemetery near London, England last summer early on a foggy morning. Better than a Vincent Price movie. As far as mine, I want to be in an unmarked grave or just scattered at sea, but if they insist on inscribing something, maybe "About Chuck Peterson, what can be said: there was only one and now he's dead. I'm in a wierd mood today.
------------------ Steve Barba is the proud owner, president, & sole employee of Sturgis Sign Works. "B0LT" on the chat room thing. 209 Oak Drive Sturgis SD 57785 sbarba2616@dtgnet.com 605-720-7667
Posts: 768 | From: Sturgis South Dakota | Registered: Nov 1998
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Gosh Mike, we've made a lot of fake grave stones over the years for movie sets. At one time we put our names and names of friends on them and tried to feel like it was funny. Always had this superstitious omen and left me feeling like I should not be messing with stuff like that, like I might be doing something that could have some influence on someones future. Maybe mine.
Remember that John Prine song..... give my knees to the needy
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I would prefer a simple headstone with a parking meter mounted on top that reads "expired". That way, for ten cents my friends could resurrect me 6 minutes at a time. On the other hand, my ex would prefer it looked like this.....
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Hey Mikey...I did this before. I toldja, "Dead she is not, but departed, for the artist never dies"-Longfellow Mwahahahahaha!!!! (does that mean I still hafta paint posthumously? Some of my older stuff looks like a stiff did them.) Or shall I just haunt my "clients from Hell"? Love- JILL
------------------ Jill M. Welsh
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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