As Independence Day Approaches

1. Well, all but another year has whirled past me and I realize that I haven’t made any updates to my webpage / blog.

I’ll avoid any cliches about the challenges thrown on everyone’s lap this past year and a half, but express just how necessary it was to put an end to this past school year. I have been very busy, juggling many roles and responsibilities , whether they be school-related, home related or sign related.

2. One major happening during the past twelve months was the building of a brand-new timber frame barn.

Yes, this barn will serve as my new workshop space… the epicenter of Colonial American Sign, LLC. While this project certainly was one of the factors contributing to the hectic year, but one that issued its share of excitement for me. I plan on providing a substantial blog update about the new barn very soon (believe me - it certainly deserves its very own post), but - for now - believe me, the transition from my home basement to the new, detached space has been (and still continues to be) a very staggering process.

3. So, in the few days before we all celebrate another July 4th, I wanted to provide you with some sign pics.

My apologies for the lack of structure, but I trust that something is better than nothing (given the radio silence). Well, I suppose the tie that binds is the fact that our independence has defined our history and history is the very thing that my business seeks to honor. There is some juicy watermelon, screaming eagles and plenty of historical figures featured here… all of which smack of freedom and our independent national spirit.

4. The format of this share will feature some finished signs, accompanied by several odd in-progress pics.

In addition to some of the sign pics, I am including a random assortment of some customer-provided images that feature their commissioned signs hanging in or outside of their property. My gratitude to those who have provided me with such photographs.

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Who Doesn’t Like Ice Cold Watermelon?

Here is a small sign that was made to look like it was once a part of a roadside stand; Perhaps this sign was once bolted to an old wooden fruit trailer or attached to a storefront display.

In this photo, you can see an in-progress view of the sign. After constructing the main sign substrate, I prepare it by painting and distressing it and then penciling-in the main design elements.

Another view of the watermelon sign, showing the nice thickness of the barn wood used to construct it.

Reverse side of sign, reflecting my signature and date.

Photograph of the watermelon sign hanging on the wall of the customer. What a beautiful setting for the sign?!

Washington and Woolen Mill

I’ll introduce this sign by showing you a photo it mounted above of this customer’s hearth. This was a custom commission and the request involved creating a strongly horizontal format sign that incorporated George Washington’s portrait within the title “Woolen Mill”. I used various milk paints to achieve a rustic look here, but the magic resulted from the fortunate availability of two old wooden planks of a most interesting character. Each were found with a unique shape and, with a little bit of shuffling, I realized that combining them would result in a most pleasing sign shape.

Up-close view of the two planks that were eventually jointer together to form a most unique signboard shape.

I especially like how the raw wood patina compliments the painted surfaces in this sign. But, why does George appear to be scowling at us from this angle? :)

Detail of George Washington’s face, the central motif of the sign.

Detail of the milk paint layers used to craft George Washington’s facial features.

A Tavern in Honor of a British General

General James Wolfe was a British officer renowned for his military reforms and especially for his major victory over the French (1759) in Quebec. Just before his death, Wolfe learned of the French defeat and, knowing that the French capital in North America had fallen, he uttered the famous words “Then I die happy”.

Here we have a custom sign that aimed to reflect the historical legacy of the man we call General Wolfe. This sign was commissioned as a gift that would be given to the customer’s mother as a surprise. Again, various layers of milk paint were added, removed and then added again in effort to create an image that reflected something carried over the course of several generations.

Here is a detailed view of the Wolfe Tavern sign that gives you a sense of the paint layers and deeply aged surface patina that is one of my specialties. If the average viewer only knew how much time and energy goes into every square inch of my signs, they would certainly be surprised. In an age where many of us scrub and buff our surrounding surfaces to maintain their freshness and blemish-free sheen, it does seem counterintuitive to expend such elbow grease to make something look old and weather, doesn’t it? Well, such is the nature of creating reproduction signs - new items that appear as though they had existed for centuries. It’s a rather fun process, regardless of the toil.

Check out those under layers showing through. The fact that the board used to paint this sign was found with some rather lovely craquelure increased the visual dynamic.

Okay, I couldn’t help it… I tossed in a few extra detailed view of General Wolfe (below) for your viewing pleasure.

Joshua Alden Inn and Tavern

The Joshua Alden Inn & Tavern sign is always a popular request and never seems to disappoint.

Here is a close-up of the Joshua Alden inn / tavern, a lovely symmetrically designed house with the most spectacular colonial red coloration. The old barn wood used for this sign certainly adds to the visual character, making it a rather convincing historically authentic object to those viewing it.

Inn at Popponesset

I have painted two of these signs in the past several months. An homage to the brave sailors who worked the New England waters hundreds of years ago, such signs serve to highlight the importance of maritime trade, warcraft, exploration and transportation. An extension of the ship prow, this maiden safely guides and protects it.

Popponesset is located in Mashpee, Massachusetts; Today, Folks traveling through Cape Cod still consider it one of the most charming locations to visit.

Detail of the Inn at Popponesset sign.

Here is a detail showing the lettering done in gold leaf.

In this image, you can see that the lettering here was fashioned in paint (as opposed to gold leaf); Each technique offers its own visual aesthetic.

A photograph of the reverse side of one of the Inn at Popponesset signs; As I mentioned previously, the reverse sides of my signs are treated well. It varies as to the exact treatment - depending on the sign. However, I make it a point to bring the back side of any commissioned sign to a degree of finish. Even though the backside of most signs will face the wall, I’m compelled to give it its due attention.

Here we see one of the fine maidens hanging in the home of the customer. In addition, the mermaid sign on the far wall happens to feature an older sign I made several years ago. It thrills me to know that my customers take such pride in showcasing my work! I mean - Just check out those lights that are dedicated to my signs! Some peoples’ “display game” is simply that good!

Montpelier Farm

Here is a charming outdoor sign that I thought I’d share. Simple yet effective. Sometimes the most fundamental elements result in the most effective communication.

An up-close pic of the sign. While I do not personally hang / mount any of the signs I paint, I do offer my advice in terms of possible options. Sometimes, my customers already know how they are going to mount an exterior sign (such as in this case). The dimensional constraints are therefore communicated to me and considered in the design process.

A special gift for mom

Now here is a piece I made for my mom. I gave it to her at Christmas (2020) and she was thrilled to showcase it for me. This is not necessarily a sign per se, but a folk / primitive style painting on wood. While this was given as a gift to my mom, it was originally used as an image that was professionally scanned and printed onto cabinet grade plywood en mass. The prints, which look pretty darn close to the original painting, were commissioned for a time-share company and incorporated into the historical interior design scheme of living spaces. I have a few of these left, so email me if you have any interest. The original, of course, is out of the question… you’d have to pry it from my mother’s hands!

Colonial silhouettes

Here are some miniature silhouette paintings that I made for Christmas gifts. A few of them made their way to a customer or so, as a token of my appreciation for their patience :) <<< As I said, this year has been exceptionally busy.

And yes - that is a silhouette of a dog! This was a gift to my sister-in-law, whose little dog Lillie has been forever immortalized in this original, hand-painted silhouette :)

Join or Die

Never unpopular, the Join or Die image continues to be a crowd favorite. The wood used in this version was exceptional - hardwood with excellent surface character. A good surface makes my job of painting much easier. I also like how the rough cut edge of the exterior molding echoes the scaly texture of the snake.

Warren Tavern

This was a commission from the owner of the Warren Tavern, located in Charlestown Massachusetts. Check out the historical roots of this establishment (below).

From The Massachusetts Society (Sons of the American Revolution):
https://www.massar.org/bostons-historic-taverns/

Warren Tavern is the oldest tavern in Massachusetts and the most famous watering hole in the United States still in its original building and location. First erected in 1780, the Warren Tavern was the first building to be rebuilt in Charlestown after the British burned the whole area during the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775.

Warren Tavern is one of the most historic Boston bars, even down to the low beams in the ceilings, which the builders salvaged from old boats at nearby Charlestown Navy Yard – making the beams even older than the rest of the Tavern. Inside, the large fireplace steps you back into time.

The Tavern was built by Captain Eliphelet Newell, who fought at Bunker Hill and had been a close friend of Sons of Liberty leader and fervent Patriot, Captain Newell named his tavern after his friend Dr. Joseph Warren, who was killed on the hill by the British. Paul Revere, who frequently who frequently met there with other patriots, remarked that it was one of his favorite watering holes. General George Washington stopped by for "refreshments" while visiting a friend in Charlestown

It was an honor to have fulfilled this commission, creating a sign that honored America’s historical roots. The fact that this sign - today - hangs in one of America’s oldest taverns is flabbergasting and thrills me to no end.

Here is a nice three-quarter view of the sign. The beautiful wrought iron that I incorporated into this sign was made by a local blacksmith.

One more image of this sign, this time a black and white version. Here, you can see the visual effectiveness that comes from high contrast. The light and dark values work well together, generating a powerful image that reads well from a great distance.

Honoring those who called Turtle Hill their home

Okay, this was a rather interesting commission. The request was to construct an object that featured the title of the historical estate / property (Turtle Hill) and an image of the building. In addition, this piece should provide space for honoring the previous property owners through the years and possess an ability to recognize any future owners. Each of the plaques contain the family name, years of ownership and a small image that reflects something about either their profession or area of interest.

The notion of creating individual plaques was suggested by the customer, but the means through which the design would address this was up to me. Therefore, after much consideration and trial-and-error, I arrived at the solution. This involved embedding magnets into both the main substrate and the individual plaques. This method provided both security and portability of the parts involved. The main substrate was made using the most exceptional piece of old wood. This thing had the most appealing paint texture / craquelure! The small plaques were made using thin, oak stock. The construction process involved a great deal of sweat equity, especially in the area of hand-carving. Each of the rectangular areas in which the plaques nest had to be carved away.

I do have a video or two that showcases how the magnetic capture works. This might be a good idea for a future blog post :) is that any future owner of this estate can send to me the blank plaque/s to add to the documentation.

Here is a picture of the Turtle Hill property; The sign hanging out front was an earlier commission.

The individual plaques featuring the proprietors’ names, time of ownership and image reflective of them.

New England Menu Board

Here is a menu board that I made recently. The wood used for this sign was quite suitable to work with.

Another Joshua Alden

Molding detail of the Joshua Alden Inn & Tavern sign.

Another molding detail of the Joshua Alden Inn & Tavern sign.

Montrose House, Harrisburg PA

Interestingly, a previous sign exists beneath; I initially painted this small sign for a customer who moved. This current version reflects the new residence :)

Another pic of the Montrose House - Harrisburg, PA

E Pluribus Unum

This Latin text translates to “Out of many, one”. We see it on currency, flags, old documents, etc. but how many of us know what it means? Here, the popular phrase is coupled with another symbol we see in our great nation, the eagle. Here, the symbol of America is perched atop a globe, wings spread and ever watchful. This was a custom sign that was made using thick hemlock wood that was left-over from my timber frame barn construction.

Here are a few pictures of the process at various stages of construction.

The framework consists of rails (horizontal pieces) and stiles (vertical pieces) that are connected to one another. This framework holds the main raised panel in place. Here, you can see that my method of joinery is by means of tenons (Festool Domino, to be exact). These pieces of Beechwood are glued into place and strengthen the joint.

Because wood expands and contracts, it is essential that the framework surrounding a raised panel be made in a manner that allows for this. If the central panel was fit snugly into the framework will little to no wiggle room, the swelling that occurs in the summer months would most likely cause damage.

Williamsburg Taverns

Below are a pair of tavern signs that are based on those still in operation in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Both the Christiana Campbell’s Tavern and Shield’s Tavern are popular destinations for those wishing to experience early tavern life in our present day.

Here is a reproduction of the Shields Tavern sign, a staple of Colonial Williamsburg Virginia. As was common in early America, the advertisement of one’s goods or services had to be simple and clearly read. This sign tells us that, inside this establishment, we will find quality meats and cold libations.

Support your local library

Do young folks still use libraries? Do older folks still use libraries? Well, we certainly are in the thick of the digital age where everything any anything can be found at the touch of our fingertips. That said, the so-called ‘black mirror’ didn’t exist hundreds of years ago and the pursuit of knowledge outside of the classroom took place by means of visiting a building that housed stacks and stacks of books. While I personally don’t miss the rigors that accompanied using the card catalogue system, I do recall fondly the experience that visiting a library provided me. Don’t lie, one of the your highlights most certainly was the smell of old books! Am I right?

Over the course of the year, I made quite a few versions of this sign. In fact, one of them represents my first official overseas commission. A fellow living in Ghent (Brussels) commissioned a version for his own personal library. I’m a bit jealous that one of my signs made it to Europe before I had the chance to myself, yet I’m honored to have made a connection to the European market.

Check out this display! This customer said that he had just the spot prepared for my sign. Once he sent this photo to me, I knew exactly what he meant.

Wadsworth’s Inn and the fighting eagle

This was my first time painting this particular sign. The original hails from the Connecticut Historical Society (Hartford, Connecticut). You can visit their website and actually take a virtual tour of their exquisite sign collection here https://chs.org/online-exhibition/virtual-tour-inn-tavern-signs-of-connecticut/

Lake Placid - A long lost old resort sign

There aren’t many out there… Old signs from Lake Placid, NY that is. My customer requested a sign from me that smacks of an early 20th century style - one that might have once hung from a wrought iron bracket extended from an inn or tavern along the scenic landscape of Lake Placid.

By the way, you might recall that Lake Placid was the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics Games (XIII). I believe at least a couple movies have been made, based on that ‘miraculous’ United States hockey team that took the gold medal there.

So, I know this isn’t a “Colonial era” sign reproduction. If you think about it, very few signs from the Colonial era really exist! Most of the oldest American signage springs from the 19th century.

Yet, the reason I’m showcasing such a sign here is to convey to you the range of styles and eras that my work aims to address. I feel that the rather aged distress achieved on the paint here fits the severe weather that would have beaten against this sign over the 100 odd years.

A small eagle

As a teacher, I appreciated this commission very much. This eagle sign was a gift from a wife to her husband. However, it wasn’t just a random gift - it served to honor his retirement as a public school teacher. I was honored to have been a part of commemorating a lifetime of service to this man. Reaching a retirement milestone in public education is no small feat!

Here is the sign, featured from an angled vantage point. The silver frame color was a request from the client, as it was a desired aesthetic found among their other collectible items.

It sure is a small sign, but it looks great featured among the customer’s other items of significance.

Temperance

Over the past few years, this particular sign has been a popular request.

I often share with my customers each and every step throughout a given commission. However, I seldom show such undeveloped progress pictures like this with the world. So, here is a rare look at the mid-state development of the Temperance tavern sign. You can see that the areas a merely blocked-in with color. As days pass, subsequent layers of color are applied, sanded and reapplied. Ultimately, this process will result in a finished patina that appears both fully developed, yet gently aged.

In the image below, you can catch a glimpse of the smalts that was used to surround the lettering. Smalts (or smaltz) is a mixture of finely ground glass, mixed with a binding paint to form a slurry-like liquid that, when applied to a sign, serves to create a little “bling”. The glass captures the ambient daylight and produces a bit of sparkle. This was a technique / method used in the early days and aimed to strengthen the business owner’s ability to capture the attention of those walking near their sign.

I do believe I am one of the very few reproducers of signs who employ this measure for select signs. Should anyone learn of another, please share their name with me. It’s a fascinating technique that results in an added visual character worth the extra work.

Can you see the stars? The faint banner? These are details that many “reproducers” of this sign fail to address. If you study the original signs that many of the reproductions our there are based upon, you begin to realize just how much is missed.

I suppose some of us simply want a sign to hang on our wall - one that looks “historical”. That’s perfectly fine and I respect that. However, when you order a sign form me, you are going to be receiving a piece that is deeply based in historical traditions, an eye for detail and a passion for bringing the authenticity of forgotten eras back to light.

Tucked Inn At Orange Lake

This is a double-sided custom made sign that attempts to capture the nostalgia surrounding the area known as Orange Lake.

Here is a sneak peak into an early stage of this sign creation. You can see the old spindle picked up at an antiques shop; This will later be used to fashion the finials / post caps. Additionally, you can see the tenons that will be used to attach the skirt of the sign to the lower framework.

Candle Light Farm

This commission involved a custom design that aimed to capture what my customer described to me as the magical essence of her property. Through conversation with her, I could sense the great enthusiasm and pride maintained for the family property. This was a place where family and friends spend a great deal of time. Furthermore, the architectural makeup of the house itself was very period accurate.

One of the main features of the house had to do with the fact that each window was accompanied by a candle. At night, a visitor would be met with the majestic sight of piercing illuminations that softly extend from each window of this glorious house. Therefore, Candle Light Farm was the name my customer so appropriately decided upon and this sign serves to honor that.

Here is a picture of the same sign, captured in my “new” barn space :)

Custom molding stock made from poplar wood. This was used as a perimeter framework for the Candle Light Farm sign.

Here are several in-progress pics depicting the construction of the main sign substrate. Because this sign was destined for an exterior setting, additional measures were necessary. Appropriate substrate materials (wood), adequate sealing measures (thermoelastic caulk), three coats of exterior grade primer and three coats of base coat paint to begin with.

Once all of these provisions have been addressed, the actual design (painting) process can begin. Trust me - the painting is only one dimension of the entire process. The designs are important, but - from a longevity standpoint - it is essential that the sign has been built properly if it’s being placed out of doors.

Final thoughts

Okay, I now realize that this blog post is actually pretty long. In the interest of concluding it, I am going to leave you with some additional customer-supplied pictures of my work in their and about their beautiful homes / properties. I promise to follow this post up with another post here soon. The second post will attempt to highlight the signs I didn’t get to in this one. Stay tuned and thanks for reading :)

-Andy

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 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!

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.

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.

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 :)

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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.

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.

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.

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

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 :)

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.

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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.

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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!

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!

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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

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

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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.

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Nothing crazy here… just a rustic frame :)

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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.

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

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This was a rather large “Temperance” sign.

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

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

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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.

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

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Another version of the ever-popular tavern menu board.

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.

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.

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 :)

Summer is waning and Fall is just around the corner

This is my “oh crud” blog post, wherein I begin to come to grips with the fact that my time is limited. Isn’t this the case for everyone?! However, what I mean is that my school year will be greeting me much sooner than I ever expect and the ability for me to work consistently on my sign commissions will be rather… shall I say “complicated”.

Change is inevitable and certainly something we all need in our daily lives, but I’m just throwing this out there - I will be limiting my commissions come fall. Well, let me rephrase that by stating that the rate with which I am able to complete my commissions may be a bit more prolonged. Those of you who know me and have been loyal patrons of my work certainly understand this and are quite familiar with the “good things… in due time, yadda-yadda” adage.

With such change in mind, I felt the need to post a few more images of a few select pieces of work. These are pieces that, in no particular order, have (at one point or another) been resident to my studio easel, workshop table, kitchen table (and yes, this does happen), or even my lap. At the time of creation, these signs inhabit every fiber of my life. If inanimate signs had a vocal capacity, each of mine could tell a story that is unique. While no two stories would be the same, they would all be quite interesting and full of rich character.

Each sign is a part of my life… my family for a brief time and there comes a point in time when I do have to let them go. This is the part when my story ends with the sign and your story begins! So, here are a few non-professional photographic images of some of my most recent gems… I hope you enjoy:) -Andy

Newtown Library Sign (Authentic Reproduction); Private client. The original sign was painted by esteemed American artist Edward Hicks.

Nostalgia, reflection & my very first sign?

My very first sign?

As the 2016 year mysteriously (I mean, like - wasn't it just March!?) comes to a close, I find it appropriate to reflect - not only on this year, but 'in general'.

A few months ago, my dad told me he had something very interesting to show me. He alluded that it somehow related to my present endeavor in sign-making, but wanted to surprise me.  Being an appreciator of mystery and suspense, I eagerly anticipated what this enigma might be. When my dad ultimately revealed this item to me, my face instantly lit up. My face wore a large grin - the kind that can only be rendered by a great wave of nostalgia. Before my eyes, I witnessed what may possibly represent my "very first signboard". This rather small object powerfully time-warped me to my early adolescence. All but three decades were vaporized by the mere sight of it.

So, what exactly was this object? Well, it was a sign that I had made for my dad... one that was created a very long time ago. The sign itself had been forgotten (at least the details of it), yet its presence triggered a boatload of nostalgia for me. Somewhere in this nostalgia, I may have pinpointed an early seed that affirms my present efforts in 'sign making'. If I have your interest, please read on...

As a young boy, my dad maintained a part-time / side business (much like the sign business here) that was run from a small, detached cement-block building located a mere stone's-throw from our family house. When he wasn't tinkering, my dad spent his time repairing radiators in this building. The business was aptly named Jim's Radiator Service and its humble headquarters represented, for me, a sheer wonderland for my own imagination. To this day, I would hold my dad's work ethic up to anyone who proclaims to be a 'hard worker'.  His full-time factory job demanded great energy from him. To boot, most weeks were overflowing in overtime hours, of which he took full advantage. Despite this, my dad spent considerable time in his small unassuming garage space - engaging in the gritty pursuit of radiator repair.

Like most good kids my age, I delighted in offering my dad a helping hand (<<< Not always, but most times). Not one to engage in the specialty tasks that would be performed in this small space (such as: welding, grinding, or soldering), I oftentimes reached for the broom and dustpan - making small strides each session to reveal the hidden cement floor that lied beneath the layers of debris and dust. Great pride was taken in my "garage-beautification" efforts, as the words and facial expressions from my dad's face were more than affirming to me - his loyal helper. Sometimes, I would reach the point in my organizational activity where I felt that 'everything that can possibly be done had thoroughly been done';  While I would love to go back in time to observe whether or not I was indeed correct in such assessments (haha), I am happy to say that such milestones would permit me the opportunity to engage in hands-on creation of my own.

Such creation fell into one of two activities - using a wood-burning tool to make marks on wood or grinding into wood with an electric Dremel tool. Yes, employing the good ol' Dremel tool would ironically contradict the clean-up efforts that, most likely, preceded this. But, this point merely confirms my mom's all too familiar statement of me - that "There is nothing more enticing to you than a clean room." Yes, I absolutely love to begin a new hands-on activities in a clean environment, but I regress... :)

Most of the time, I would make various types of signs with these tools, much like the cool CNC-routered specimens I would casually admire at places like the Ocean City boardwalk, various trade shows and the annual York County Fair. I recall making signs stating words and expressions like "Open" and "Jim's Radiator Service", but also remember a few depicting scenes of whitetail deer and game fish. Wearing my safety goggles, I would hack away at my creations - most times within a veil of secrecy. You see - it was my intention to unveil these masterpieces to my dad or other family members as surprises.

Finally cutting to my point, the following example represents one such creation. In my mind's eye, this sign was much more fabulous and grandiose. My dad explained just how much this sign meant to him, especially way back then - when I initially presented him with what I considered the manifestation of my artistic genius. I recall the feeling vividly... it was as if my soul was smiling and bubbling with joy over the satisfaction that met the shock of this well-calculated surprise. To this day, I still thrive on the creation of such emotional well-springs. There are few more authentic indicators of satisfaction to an artist / craftsman than the positive reaction on the part of a person receiving a work in hand.

To this end, it is my hope that my efforts in creating continue to bring joy to my customers. While I'm no longer a small kid working away in the corner of a small cinder block radiator shop, but my goal remains the same - to bring a special element of surprise and great pleasure to whomever rests at the receiving end of my creation.

The Bell-in-Hand-Tavern (Boston, MA)

In keeping with my thoughts about creating tavern signs for establishments that once existed (the approach I have called "historical fiction"), I have forged ahead with yet another historical treasure. This time, I attempted to breath life into what has been called "America's first tavern". The Bell-in-Hand Tavern in Boston claims to have poured the first draft of cold beer in the year 1795.

Serving as a busy hub for printers and politicians, sailors and students, in no time at all, this New England watering hole established itself as the most prominent alehouse in Boston. The first owner of this famous establishment was Jimmy Wilson. The name sounds quite common to our modern ears, and in the streets of Revolutionary Boston, it was one that, more than likely, every Bostonian knew very well.

What was it about his tavern that made his name so familiar to everyone in Boston? Well, for Jimmy Wilson, such "fame" (as we refer to it today) derived initially from the fact that he, for some fifty years, had served as the town crier to his beloved neighbors. Being the bearer of news (good, bad or indifferent), Wilson had established himself within the hearts and minds of his city's populous. When he retired from his long-tenured post, he decided to open a bar. It would only seem fitting that his choice in naming this tavern be "The Bell-in-Hand".

So, what was so interesting about Jimmy Wilson's tavern? Well, this tavern not only insisted in the exclusive serving of ale (as opposed to the litany of standard liquors popular at the time), each drink order was served in two mugs. Apparently, one mug was used for the ale; the other held its frothy byproduct. As thick as the news Wilson had, for so many years, dispensed to his fellow citizenry, so too was the elixir served from his tap.

To this day, this tavern is in full operation - 45 Union Street, Boston, MA. Obviously, the establishment has changed substantially in both appearance and tradition. I mean, surely Jimmy Wilson would appear puzzled to learn that the Bell-in-Hand rocks a Facebook page! The menu offerings have inevitably grown to meet the needs of Boston's thirsty inhabitants and visitors. Within the rapid pace of Boston's daily life (considered a 'rat-race' to many), the cacophony resulting from the hustle and bustle can easily find its way from the streets into establishments like the Bell-in-Hand, attempting to distract us from enjoying a small piece of mind whilst in the company of our good friends and a cool beverage.

Despite this, I'll wager that - if one stops to listen very hard (even during happy hour) - they just might hear the sound of a singular bell ringing, finding its way through the thick crowd of this glorious alehouse... an echo which began in the wake of the Revolution; one that today reminds us of our American spirit and the need to unite with our fellow man / woman over a cold mug of ale.

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My thought process

So, after my digging and learning about this amazing tavern, I located a very interesting panel that once rested inside a shutter, possibly a door. The physical surface was perfect for this venture, as I proceeded to apply layers and layers of paint, in hopes to create the appearance of a substrate that had bore witness to years and years of experience amidst a tavern environment - the smoke, soot, changes in temperature, sunlight, occasional repair / repainting, cleaning, and the possible slight alteration here and there to the sign's design.

My aim was to create something that would have functioned as a secondary sign, not the main exterior billboard that would have graced the exterior. This sign would have rested above the fireplace mantel, possibly behind the bar... in either case, a product of pride in the establishment; one that reminded the customers within that they were indeed, even if for a small time, a true part of this environment. The color choices - red and teal/green - might appear strange at first. However, by integrating this scheme within multiple layers of varnish and washes, the results are harmonious. I particularly enjoy seeing the highly saturated versions of the red and green poke through here and there, even though they are present in small and subtle measure. The gravy-brown tonality serves to unify the entire sign, holding the visual aesthetic together.

As of today, this sign is available for purchase. This is an original work and rather exclusive, so I encourage you to act swiftly. I may or may not choose to make more like this, but am certain that there will not be two alike... the panel used for this sign was a true maverick, hiding deep within my stockpile of surfaces. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see additional photos of this piece. Thank you for reading!

-Andy

The finished sign, available for purchase.

References

http://bellinhand.com/

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

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

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 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

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