When it rains, it pours.

Yes, you are seeing this correctly… a second post within a month. No, it’s not that I don’t have a boatload of painting ahead of me or a million-and-one things that I need to do; It’s just that I really know how things go. Meaning, if I don’t post more of the odds and ends that I have done between last Summer and now, you may not ever see them. For good or bad, I am constantly pointed in the forward position. I’m an ADHD-plagued do’er. I’ve come to understand that my mentality doesn’t allow much in the way of spending time and/or energy looking in the rearview. Nor do my eager curiosities in the present and near future account for prolonged interests in the past. Don’t get me wrong - I do realize the importance of reflection and recalling the experiences that shape us. Nostalgia and sentimentality… these things definitely stir my soul. I simply find it immensely challenging, the act of slowing down; taking the time to glance over my shoulder.

Therefore, in the interest of halting my pace and giving my present focus a brief rest, I am offering a visual smorgasbord of several “sign” projects that, for the past few months or so, have garnered much of my attention and captured my curiosities.

This was the visual example provided to me from the clients; The idea was to paint this scene on the beautiful blue substrate.

This was the visual example provided to me from the clients; The idea was to paint this scene on the beautiful blue substrate.

This was the amazingly-patinated object that would serve as the substrate for my reproduction.

This was the amazingly-patinated object that would serve as the substrate for my reproduction.

Just look at this patina. And the molding…and the craquelure! One-of-a-kind for sure; There’s just too much goodness in one object here!

Just look at this patina. And the molding…and the craquelure! One-of-a-kind for sure; There’s just too much goodness in one object here!

After the design and lettering were drawn up, using light pencil lines, the foundation paint layers were laid in using black milk paint.

After the design and lettering were drawn up, using light pencil lines, the foundation paint layers were laid in using black milk paint.

The finished sign reflects a modest color palette; The simplicity of the monochromatic color scheme increases its visual power. “Unity” is key in both fine art and sign-painting.

The finished sign reflects a modest color palette; The simplicity of the monochromatic color scheme increases its visual power. “Unity” is key in both fine art and sign-painting.

custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company16.jpeg
This pic reflects another angle of the sign, as do the others following. This is a true case where my work was further enhanced by the surface on which I worked. Painting on a surface like this was like a baseball player being placed on third. All t…

This pic reflects another angle of the sign, as do the others following. This is a true case where my work was further enhanced by the surface on which I worked. Painting on a surface like this was like a baseball player being placed on third. All they need to do is ‘steal home’! I certainly cannot take all of the credit for this beauty.

custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company10.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company11.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company12.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company9.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company13.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company6.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company22.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company23.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company21.jpeg
custom reproduction_j warne sign_colonial american sign company19.jpeg

I do feel it’s important to provide potential customers with a small window of what I do. Although I tend to keep much of my “gritty process pics” veiled in a layer of mystery, some of these images should reflect the notion that many steps or stages take place in any given process. Those of you who have commissioned work from me know that I share much with you throughout the process of making your piece. So, if you wish to learn a bit more about the grit and “trade secrets” associated with the construction and painting of a wooden tavern sign, you will need to commission me :)


Here is a picture taken of what appears to be the original sign that hung from the Red Lion Inn (Stockbridge, MA). One of my loyal customers provided this to me and asked me to reproduce it as faithfully as possible. I did my very best to translate the rugged design to a clean line drawing / pattern. Once this was done, I transferred this drawing to a substrate constructed of century-old barn wood.

original source historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company3.jpeg

Because the background is predominantly black, painting the base layer in black made the most sense. Due to the fact that carbon transfer paper is normally… well, black or dark blue - it obviously wouldn’t show due to a lack of contrast. So, I called upon my good ole white transfer paper and proceeded to make the impression for the transfer.

beginning layout_reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company3.jpeg

Here, we see quite a jump, in terms of the process. However, what I normally do is what I call “laying-in” or “blocking-in”. Essentially, I apply solid color in the larger areas of the design. Many times, the initial color applied to an area may be something other than what one might eventually see. Painting is a layering process; The final image you see in the surface of any painting - be it a tavern sign or a beautiful oil painting by Paul Cezanne - is the result of numerous, subsequent layers of paint buried beneath. Most paint is transparent to a degree and, although the final layer is the one getting all of the credit, it is built upon the foundation that exists below.

in progress_reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company3.jpeg

Here is a close-up detailed view of the inherent physical texture of the old barn wood.

reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company_detail1.jpeg

By this point, you can see that the blocked-in areas have received a bit more modeling. For example, the red lion contains a variety of alternative “reds” within its shape. There are lighter reds (tints) and darker reds (shades). When these tints and shades are placed in the right locations of the overall shape, the human eye can begin to discern what we call ‘volume’. Volume is the perception of three-dimensional (3D) form or space. In other words, we begin to get a sense of illusionism - the appearance of dimension on a flat surface.

There ^ You have just been given a mini art lesson for free :)

reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company3.jpeg
reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Does this look old / authentic? I really think that the texture of the black paint used here adds to the look. Sometimes, I apply a torch to semi-wet paint. When this occurs - depending on the exact nature of the paint and atmospheric conditions - the paint congeals, blisters and peels back in ways that make it seem as though the surface has been kissed by a million sunsets in the course of its life.

reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company_detail3.jpeg
reproduction of historic sign massachusetts_red lion tavern_colonial american sign company4.jpeg

Just to be clear here - By no means am I a professional photographer. I take many pictures for purposes of personal documentation and for sharing with my customers through the duration of their project. It’s just that here - on my blog - you will find much more variety than what is offered on my main webpage - pictures taken from odd angles, even the reverse sides of some of the signs. There are also ‘details’ that feature different aspects of signs (edges, patina, texture, etc.). My apologies if there are any redundancies, but there shouldn’t be too many.


Okay… next sign -

Talk about girthy! Well, the framework (rails and stiles) that I constructed for this sign felt as though they were fit for building a ship. The wood was poplar and was very easy to work with. I believe I pulled out every tool in my arsenal for this project. It certainly does validate the purchases of my “toys… er, I mean tools when a project calls upon an array of equipment!

detail_1_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpeg
detail6_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg
in progress_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpeg

The custom nature of this job centered around capturing the essence of the client’s property (and his furry friends). The entire sign, including the framework, was painted using old fashioned milk paints. Whenever a product requires you to mix a powder with water in order to yield the semi-viscous solution we call “paint”, well - that really sends you back in time and gives you the feeling like you are living in the olden times! Most people forget that the notion of the ‘paint tube’ was only invented in the 1840s; We take that for granted!

detail 3_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpeg
detail2_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpeg
detail4_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg
detail5_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg
p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpeg
detail7_p kelly custom sign_new england_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg

This is a version of the “Tarbox Tavern” sign. The original hails from the depths of the beautiful New England countryside, initially constructed and painted well over a century ago. I have added an edge band of leather to the lower portion of this sign, a practice common to several early American tavern sign examples.

tarbox tavern sign_detail5_colonial american sign company.jpeg
tarbox tavern sign_detail2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
tarbox tavern sign_detail_colonial american sign company.jpeg
tarbox tavern sign_detail3_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Most of the old barn wood used contains more than its share of wind-worn texture and surface patina. In some cases, the square nails originally driven into the wood still remain. Here, we can see such an instance.

tarbox tavern sign_detail4_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Alright - Now, in this commission, I was asked to faithfully adhere to the dimensions of the “J Alderman” tavern sign. The client explained how they wished to use this sign as the model through which a new sign would be constructed. I researched the provenance and examined the construction notes provided for it.

j alderman sign_original_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Next, I drew it up to scale and determined the measurements of each of the components comprised within. This was necessary, due to the need to maintain a faithful adherence to the original in the new sign.

specs for new stanwich sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg

In some cases during a job, I seek help beyond my studio. In this case, I consulted with a good friend and extremely accomplished woodworker. Using his lathe, he turned the posts and finials for this sign. Mind you, we are dealing with a true craftsman, in every sense of the word. These pieces were made from a variety of hardwoods - cherry and walnut - and were precise reproductions of those elements found on the original sign! It’s very smart to know where one’s strengths and weaknesses lie; I knew that outsourcing, so-to-speak was definitely the most effective move here.

finials for stanwich sign3_colonial american sign company.jpeg
finials for stanwich sign_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg

Here is a view of the corner joint. Edges and corners are very important, but too easily overlooked.

detail of stanwich sign_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
detail of stanwich sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
stanwich sign_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
stanwich sign_colonial american sign company3.jpeg
stanwich sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
colonial american sign company_stanwich road_CT2.jpeg
colonial american sign company_stanwich road_CT.jpeg

Another reproduction of the “J Porter” sign… always a classic!

j porter tavern sign2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter tavern sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter tavern sign_reverse view_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter tavern sign_angle view_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter tavern sign_top detail_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter tavern sign_angle view2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j porter sign in context_colonial american sign company.jpeg

A somewhat unique commission, this one was fun to fulfill. The client described the context for this sign - a place where friends and family gathered in the afternoon for cold drinks and lively yet relaxing socialization. Mix in a break-taking view of the Gulf and what you have is a setting that even Jimmy Buffet would envy.

custom sign_rooftop bar_colonial american sign company.jpeg
side view_custom sign_rooftop bar_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Nothing crazy here… just a rustic frame :)

frame3_colonial american sign company.jpeg
frame_colonial american sign company.jpeg
frame2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
frame4_colonial american sign company.jpeg

This customer sent the metal cow medallion and, between us, we determined a way to create a unique sign that reflected the name of the property and featured the special cow.

hope springs custom sign_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
hope springs custom sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Here are several versions of the “Sign of the Pine Tree” signs.

sign of tghe pine tree2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_colonial american sign company.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_detail_colonial american sign company5.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_detail_colonial american sign company4.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_detail_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
reverse view_sign of the pine tree_colonial american sign company4.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_detail_colonial american sign company3.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_colonial american sign company4.jpeg
sign of the pine tree_detail_colonial american sign company.jpeg

This was a rather large “Temperance” sign.

temperance tavern sign_large2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
temperance tavern sign_large3_colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg
temperance tavern sign_large_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Here are 2 different versions of the “J. Carter” tavern sign, featuring the “carriage” side of the sign.

j carter carriage side view_colonial american sign company4.jpeg
j carter carriage angled view2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j carter carriage angled view1_colonial american sign company.jpeg
j carter sign in context_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
j carter sign in context_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Here are a half-dozen signs that were painted for the Old Clinton Historic District, Georgia.

in progress_clinton county historical society_colonial american sign company.jpeg
clinton county historical society georgia sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
clinton county historical society georgia _colonial american sign company.jpg.jpeg

This was a fun commission. Slow and steady wins the race, right? One side of the sign features a snapping turtle; The other a box turtle.

turtle hill custom sign_colonial american sign company3.jpeg
turtle hill custom sign_colonial american sign company4.jpeg
turtle hill custom sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
turtle hill custom sign_colonial american sign company5.jpeg
turtle hill custom sign_colonial american sign company2.jpeg

What’s ye deal? Did you know that the word “Ye” means “The”? Well, if you didn’t… now you do :)

ye old inn_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Another version of the ever-popular tavern menu board.

custom tavern menu board_colonial american sign company.jpeg
custom tavern menu board_colonial american sign company2.jpeg
grouping of 2 signs_colonial american sign company.jpeg

Here is a brief example that relates to my custom work. Provided are a couple images that reflect the early discussions and planning efforts that go into the formation of a commission. The design process in any commission is absolutely paramount to the success of the project. Here, you can see some of the development that takes place on this job.

Historic London Town and Gardens identifies with an image of a mermaid. Such an identity is the result of an allegiance to an image found on an old plate, excavated on the premises. This fragmentary item features, in beautiful cobalt blue glaze, a rather interesting version of a siren / mermaid. The goal was to develop signage that honored this very version of a mermaid and tie it into the the historical aesthetic set forth by the surrounding property.

While the exact meaning of this particular mermaid and its association to the grounds of Edgewater, Maryland are unknown, there are some rather interesting meanings and fascinating stories that surround this symbol. The usual association with these long-haired females whose predilection for water and rocky coasts is equaled only by their legendary love for beautiful song, is that of a temptress. The idea here, sailors, is to steer clear of such water-laden beauties; Nothing but trouble will result from giving into the urges of such entertaining and enigmatic creatures. Many a boat has been wrecked by taking one’s eyes off the waterline ahead.

william brown tavern_comps2.png
Screen Shot 2019-05-05 at 3.17.04 PM.png
william brown tavern_comps3.png
Historic London Town and Gardens_colonial american sign comapny3.jpeg
Historic London Town and Gardens_colonial american sign comapny.jpeg
Historic London Town and Gardens_colonial american sign comapny4_detail.jpg.jpeg
Historic London3 Town and Gardens_colonial american sign comapny4_detail.jpg.jpeg
Historic London Town and Gardens_colonial american sign comapny5_detail.jpg.jpeg

Below, I have just tossed in a handful of odds-and-ends. Consider it a potluck, if you will :)

I do believe in addressing all dimensions of a sign, even those that may be hidden from the standard view. These things are being hung in your houses, folks! The last thing a you want to learn when you eagerly open up the box on your doorstep is that your sign has a ‘dirty / ugly backside’. Not here! In fact, through the years, many of my clients have expressed a wish to somehow feature the back side of their sign… that its character was too cool to place against a wall. Now, when I get feedback like that, satisfaction is certainly felt on my part for a job well done.

reverse of wooden sign2_colonial american sign company.jpeg
reverse of wooden sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg
tags_colonial american sign company.jpeg
reverse view of smaller tavern sign tavern_colonial american sign company.jpeg
george washington quotation custom wooden sign_colonial american sign company.jpeg

The last pic is probably the most random of the group. It’s a snapshot of me torching iron to a cherry-red color. It’s precisely at this point when the iron becomes soft and malleable enough to shape. Shaping occurs by the means of force and the instrument of such force is none other than the hammer. I am most definitely not a trained blacksmith or farrier. Trust me when I tell you that I want nobody around me while I’m pounding away at molten iron. I cannot imagine what one might think I’m doing, should they happen to catch a glimpse of me attempting to shape metal using the most barbaric equipment :)

forging wrought iron_colonial american sign company.jpeg


What ever happened to Customer Service? (Part 1 - CS Series)

A word or two on Customer Service...

As a consumer, I find “customer service” to be an essential ingredient within my personal consumer formula. Countless times, my decisions (some of them quite momentous, I might add) have hinged on the subtle experiences relating to the service experience in which I am confronted. Honesty, transparency and a willingness on the part of an establishment’s service members seems to be something of a lost art… speaking from my own, personal perspective, of course.

Certainly, it’s not hard to find a customer service representative at any given establishment who is oozing with zealous energy, but I often question the motives behind many such smiling faces. For example, what motivates this man or woman? Is it a commission that can be gained from a sale made on my behalf? A step closer to a promotion? Might this individual actually have nothing more to gain from me than the personal satisfaction that their eager help will increase my life through my newfound interaction with their product / service?

Is it really a lost art, in such a short period of time?

Smart, conscious consumers must wonder about these things. I mean – when I was a young kid accompanying my parents on their ritual errand runs, I never questioned the quality customer service that I witnessed all around me. Whether it be seen in the eyes of a restaurant waitress, the knowledgeable words offered by an employee at Sears, or in the helpful hands of the customer service representatives who combed the expansive aisles of the local lumber yard in search of facilitating the experience of the typical weekend warrior – I simply cannot recall any negative feeling about our consumer experiences.  I hate to swallow the feeling that “customer service is a lost art”. That said, I cannot help but say that – because I rarely witness the same care today (in relation to what I recall as a child), when I am met with what I consider to be ‘quality customer service’, it most certainly possesses overwhelming power. This power compels me to feelings of great respect and, quite honestly, the results are most certainly quite favorable for the service representative. Okay – I suppose that I’m a sucker for good service. Call me whatever you like, I have a substantial weakness here.

More than a sign

It is with this sentiment that I can only hope that those with whom I have done business regard my sign business. I have always maintained that my customers, though their goal is obviously attaining a finished product from my hand, receive much more from me. The process of any given commission has as much to do with the “experience” as it does the “product”. To this thought, I feel it important to state that it’s the diversity of experiences encountered with my customers that makes me want to continue doing what I do. Who on earth would ever want to reproduce a limited number of museum quality signs, over and over? While I do indeed enjoy a degree of the inevitable monotony that accompanies this gig, it is the colorful people who commission work from me who make the work exciting and rewarding.

Why my work is different than other "sign painters"

1. Communication

Some of the things that I do to ensure that my customers a positive experience have to do with communication. Especially with custom work, it is critical that I communicate via email or phone – in order to establish a common understanding of the desires and expectation for a given job. Throughout the process of sign creation, I find it helpful to provide regular progress updates – many times in a visual form. Technology certainly makes this effort much more efficient and effective.

Maintaining a healthy dialogue throughout the process is essential to providing my customers with a work of art that is not only satisfactory, but exemplary with respect to their original expectations. Sometimes a batch of pictures will more clearly illustrate my progress; Other times, a short video clip taken with my handy-dandy iPhone will serve to convey the status of a particular job. Ultimately, the last thing I would want to happen is for a customer to anxiously walk their package into their home, open it up and remain surprised by something that was less than impressive and / or something that was not reflective of the commission they called for.

Stay tuned for a second edition to this series on "Customer Service". In the next post, I will reveal the second point which I feel distinguishes my work from any other sign painters.

Bookbinders Seafood House - UPDATE!

Greetings,

Check out my previous blog "A Philadelphia Treasure, Bookbinder's Seafood House" to view my update. The sign has been painted and is included for your viewing pleasure. I will be placing it for sale in the upcoming day or so, featuring it on my "Available Now" page. This is a one-of-a-kind sign and certainly something that any dyed-in-the-wool Philadelphia-history-lover would be glad to have in their collection.

Here is another picture of this custom sign - taken 'straight-on'.

Here is another picture of this custom sign - taken 'straight-on'.

 

Link to previous blog entry:
http://colonialamericansigncompany.com/blog/2016/6/28/a-philadelphia-treasure

A Philadelphia Treasure, Bookbinder's Seafood House

In the spirit of the upcoming July 4th holiday, a time in which all good Americans pause to celebrate the remarkable independence that so powerfully set our nation apart from our European motherland. Such independence is felt no stronger than in the aptly-deemed "city of brotherly love". Yes, the great city of Philadelphia - "Olde City, Philadelphia" to be rather specific - resonates with the echoes of our founding fathers.

Olde City, Philadelphia

Olde City, Philadelphia

If you haven't visited Olde City, you are really missing out. Just stop and take a moment to observe. The internal energy one experiences in this great city seems to reaffirm the suspicion that these great citizens are still heeding Benjamin Franklin's encouragement and hope for the American citizenry... To apply oneself towards the pursuit of happiness.

Within the junction of 5th & Market Streets, one can peer through the glass encasement in their efforts to capture a glimpse of the famous Liberty Bell. Just across Market Street, a priceless, unobstructed front-on view of Independence Hall can be appreciated. This ancient building remains one of the greatest icons associated with the birth of our great nation - its symmetry reminding us of the objectivity and equality of mind in which our Constitution's framers aimed to maintain, despite such tumultuous circumstances and uncertain times facing them.

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Independence Hall

In our modern day, few working cities maintain such a pure, uncompromising agenda for reflecting their Colonial aesthetic. Olde City, despite the inevitable dash of neon and intermittent office high rise sprinkled here and there, leaves very little to our imaginations as to, say, what Ben Franklin may have seen in his day. Yes, there is that awkward sound caused by wide, rubber tires traversing the rough and irregular surface of these gorgeous cobblestone streets; However, the sound of a horse and carriage clip-clapping through a nearby side street easily cancels this out... and, with minimal effort, we can transport ourselves back to the earlier version of this amazing, historically-rich city.

So, what does all of this have to do with my sign business? Great question. I'm proud of your reading this far! Well, as I mention in my last post, the idea of creating historical-looking signs for establishments which no longer exist really excites me. For my first example, I decided to pursue what was once a true landmark within the construct of Philadelphia restaurants - Bookbinder's Seafood House, Inc., located in Olde City at the junction of Walnut & 2nd Streets. While this is the original location, a second location was later opened in Center City (15th Street). You can learn more about the history of this restaurant here [Wikipedia entry].

The very first time I stepped foot in Philadelphia, I recall walking past this restaurant. Posted to the front of the aesthetically charming facade of this establishment was a sign, indicating it was anything but 'open for business'. Interestingly, the past decade has bore witness to several attempts to reopen the restaurant - the most recent attempt appearing to be quite substantial.

While the reopening of Bookbinder's  (A Retro Restaurant Re-imaged [Phillymag]) is a very exciting prospect for both visitors and nearby residents, my focus centers on the long legacy of the establishment - from 1865 until my first experience with this gloriously defunct facade that I recall filling me simultaneously with both nostalgia and deep sadness.

The origin of my venture began when I noticed a cool wooden panel that was propped up against a wall adjacent my easel. Recognizing its rich potential as a sign substrate, it had been recently relocated from my storage stash to the more immediate proximity within my home. A recent glance gave way to my decision to forge ahead with my idea, the one in which I would create an original tribute to what I then considered an unfortunate 'defunction' of a once glorious establishment. I was going to create a hypothetical historical sign for the Bookbinder's Seafood House... & what better time than now?!

Modest research rendered substantial amounts of visual fodder, much of which fell under the category of graphics and advertisements. Menus, newspaper flyers, matchbooks and various memorabilia... all revealed a decent degree of visual unity. Subtle variations existed within these graphics, but the bold typography, the lobster silhouette / motif, and the affinity towards the salmon / red colors punctuated by black and white accents remained quite consistent. The numerous photographs found in my quest enriched the visual experience, most of which reflected the notion that this restaurant was endeared by both blue collar and the more affluent patrons. Many of the photographs tend to feature the decades of the 70s and 80s... the result, a true "vintage" aesthetic in the truest sense of the word.

My visual fodder - garnered from my visual research

My visual fodder - garnered from my visual research

My goal was to take the best from my visual fodder and synthesize them into a harmonious composition. After importing the picture of my wooden panel into Photoshop, I began building the composition over top. The central panel motif seemed perfect for the red lobster silhouette, common to almost all Bookbinder graphic material. Historically speaking - simple, large, bold motifs have traditionally found their way into the sign compositions of most establishments, serving their timeless role as a concise, democratic beacon to any and all who set gaze their way. In this case, there is no mistaking the probability that this big red lobster would indicate something other than hot, fresh, delicious seafood.

The bold typography for the upper and lower horizontal frame / molding was garnered from two different matchbox designs. The framework surrounding the inner panel's perimeter was inspired by a photograph depicting the restaurant's exterior window structure and design - the beautiful intermingling of both teal and salmon pinstripes. The ivy sprigs which flank the upper left and right corners of the sign have their origins in an illustrated graphic that depicts the restaurant's facade. In this illustration, a large, horizontal sign is shown secured in an overhead position, within the structure of the restaurant's bump-out / entryway. A close examination of this illustrated sign reveals these ivy sprigs, elements that I haven't found elsewhere in "Bookbinder-world".

References to the two locations have been incorporated into the sign, as are both the "PHILAD-A." and the business's date of establishment, 1865. Here is this digital composition, as it stands today (below). Bear in mind that this digital sketch is rough and merely serves the purpose of getting a sense of what works and what doesn't work, visually.

I will be revisiting the composition and tweaking things here and there. Then, once I am content with how it looks from this "sketch form", I will proceed to execute the "real sign" using paint. These updates will be included, so stay tuned!

-Andy

My digital comp / sketch, to date

My digital comp / sketch, to date

Update: Saturday, July 16

I have managed to squeeze in some small sessions on this, here and there - in between my present commissions. Not one to articulate every step (for fear of keeping some of my trade secrets safe), I have snapped a few process pictures involved with the actual creation of this sign.

As you can see here, the digital composition established was printed out and used to mark-out the general elements on the physical substrate. These serve as reference marks (guides) for me during the painting process.

Once I am satisfied with the overall layout in pencil, my attention is turned to the medium of paint. For this particular signboard, I felt it extremely important to honor the existing surface patina of the panel. In order to maintain the beauty of what only time could produce, I applied the paint in a very light-handed manner. Had I laid the paint on thickly and then later relied on subtractive measures, such as sanding or chipping to create an aged finish, the results would have (more than likely) caused irreparable collateral changes to the existing surface surrounding the lettering and images.

I'll provide one trade secret - used on some occasions and only employed when it fits. It fit here. In order to gain a time-eroded finish, I applied a "tacky masking agent" to specific areas of the painted surface. As long as the paint had thoroughly dried, this technique worked wonderfully. By applying various degrees of pressure to this "mask", and then lifting (again, to various degrees and angles), I was able to subtract subtle pieces of the painted design.

The result is reflective of a physical surface that has been susceptible to the gentle chipping, flaking and fading that accompanies the test of time.  Yet, it is important to understand that the overall integrity of the image remaining is stable. The trick here is to apply this masking technique as timely as possible. For example, attempting to lift-off of the same sign a couple of days after it had been painted would not yield the same results; The paint would have created a solid bond to the surface and to its neighboring paint molecules.

 

Links for further exploration:

Google search – “Bookbinders Seafood Philadelphia”
https://www.google.com/search?q=bookbinders+seafood&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=634&site=imghp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiM35i5zMvNAhWMPj4KHSMrB4EQ_AUICigD#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=bookbinders+seafood+philadelphia&imgrc=6vkuM6otKOFHBM%3A

This link explains the second Bookbinder’s venue, opened on 15th Street
Philaphilia (blog) - Old-Ass Building of the Week, November 14th (2011)
http://philaphilia.blogspot.com/2011/11/old-ass-building-of-week-november-14th.html