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I wanted to thank those of you who shared your rememberances about my brother. They are certainly appreciated. Bob Wendlandt was Al's mentor and close friend. Thanks, Bob, for giving him inspiration, encouragement and direction. It upsets me deeply, however, that someone commented that the saddest part was that he had no one to take care of him through the roughest part. That is far from the truth. Please know that over the last three years my wife and I cared for him in more ways than anyone will know. His daughter, sister and parents also provided all the support they could. Sorry, I just had to correct that misunderstanding. Yes, he was a unique talent and individual. He will certainly be missed by many within and without the LetterHead family. "Cisco" said it best - "That dude could do some lettering." I know. I was the one who held the ladder while he painted the elephant. Peace.
-------------------- Joe Zanetti 61 Tall Oaks Drive East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Posts: 1 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2001
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I remember the laughter in Al describing bringing the pounce pattern and seeing those hairs that looked like needles, and his description of trying to do a chalk layout and noticing the distortion factor when the elephant breethed, and about you holding the ladder when the animal started swaying. What I never heard was if you guys were laughing about it while it was happening?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think I was about 14 when he did the elephants and remember it well. The circus was in town and the local Wonder Bread factory wanted a truly unique advertising piece. He had to paint WONDER BREAD and all of those yellow, red and blue spots all over them.
Part-way into the project we noticed that the elephants were "crying" but the trainers assured us that they were just ticklish. Their skin is thick but pretty sensitive. He always worried that he had maybe hurt them.
Yes, in response to your question, we had a great time and laughed even if we were wondering if they were about to stampede.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne
Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I was one of the "fortunate" sign writers to have known Al for over 20 years.My family and I were very saddened by the news of his passing. I first met Al at a Letterhead event and was struck by his great talent and willingness to share with others. I also enjoyed our talks about the "old days", when hand lettering ment something. And on a selfish note ,I thought that when I did get to hang out with Al,maybe some of his "talent" would rub off on me,unfortunately, that did not happen. He will be remembered as an true artist and friend.
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