Wow! What an amazing talent! He does incredible work. Now I'm even more honored to have met him in Lodi, not that I was not sufficiently honored to begin with.
Having the opportunity to meet him and all the other great and talented people at Lodi was a definite highlight for me. Just like meeting my favorite celebrities. Plop me down in the middle of a Letterhead Meet over a Hollywood Premier anyday...
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Tracie, Can you scan and post it?????
Posted by Tracie Johnson (Member # 6117) on :
Here it is, Kimberly, but excuse the slight glare.
I don't even subscribe (yet) to Signs of the Times magazine. My boss must, I guess, as I saw three of these on his desk (he's not sure why he got so many). I asked him for a copy though. This one is actually a supplemental to the July issue. They came in a two pack. The July issue features a story about the design from beginning to completion. It's a great issue on the past century of sign-making. If you don't subscribe, at least make sure you get this issue. I think I'll be sending in a subscription.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
One word...BEAUTIFUL!!!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Its work like that which I find very motivating.
If I remember correctly, there is an article in SotT that shows step by step how Dave came up with it.
On a scale of 1 to 10, this one is an 11.
.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! That is just SPECTACULAR! I'm gonna have to get my hands on one of those.
(Thanks Tracie!)
Posted by Doug Phillips (Member # 5708) on :
Motivating and very intimidating!
BRAVO!
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
I saw this as David was working on it. He hand drew every piece of that thing and put it in Photoshop. There's no clip art or "fonts" in this piece. 100% Butler!
Fantastic!
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
David continually raises the bar with each piece he does. AWESOME!
-grampa dan
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
David did a short demo at the Zoo Letterheads about how he went about designing the logo. Yep...everything was hand drawn and then spruced up in Photoshop. There's no talent like Butler talent.
He had a handfull of other layouts that he rejected and settled on this one. The others are all jems, too.
David is the perfect example of a veteran sign painter adapting to the computer.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Yes, he has made the transition from one era to another rather nicely. Also, this is one nice collectors item, cover to cover.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
What Kimberly said....woa!!!!
Posted by Jim Moser (Member # 6526) on :
That is a beautiful piece of work! Anyone who has not had the opportunity to take David's class should definately do so! I refer to the class textbook frequently. I would recommend having a basic knowledge of Photoshop before doing the class. You will learn a lot more if you are not struggling with the program.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Thanks for posting that, Tracie! We all got after poster at the zoo, & somehow I forgot mine, & wanted to use it to paint the glass panel that matches it.
Sure is beautiful!
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
I'm speechless.........
B E U T I F U L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice work David! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Abolutely gorgeous!!! Spent about 10 minutes looking at it..then had to capture it so I can spend another 2 or 3 hours analyzing it. Gawd I love that style!!
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
It is a fine design.
They hand painted a version of that logo on an MDO panel at the USSC Atlantic City show last year. It was absolutely spectacular.
I got a T-Shirt with that logo printed on it at the show also. It's my Sign Geek shirt Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
It's just simply "typical" David Butler. If he were to do an EXIT sign, it would be nicer than most subdivision signs. I know it is an incredible honor to be asked to do the cover for the 100th aniversary of ST but it is an equal honor to have Doyle David do the job. I sat thru his "How I Design" class at the zoo meet and it answered a lot of questions I had had for a long time. I could have called him any time but I just didn't. It blew me away to see the process he uses and the way he keeps true to his craft but still uses the power of the computer as a tool only - not a crutch. I bought the 3 volumm set of Butler Gold; holy smoke what a deal!!! We're not talking clip art here; we're talking sign art! There is so much talent in the Letterheads and I have so many favorites for so many different reasons but David and Susie are right at the top because they are such wonderful people. David is our own Tom Bodett. For as long as I've known them (about 20 years), I've watched them work their tails off at meets and I think he does at least 100 shirt designs for meets every year; I just wonder when he does any paying work, LOL.
There were some signs at the first few letterheads meets "Leave you ego at the door". David Butler is a national treasure with all the pretense of the man that picks up your garbage. I can't wait to take his full blown class. I've taken quite a few classes from letterheads over the years but this is one that I'm looking forward to more than any.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Now, I just got a rush looking at that incredible sign and work of art. You're truly a master, David, and I enjoyed watching you at the Tomahawk meet. Hats off to you also for supplying the wonderful Sign Police tshirts with the Harley on them. It's well worn, and now I should have purchased two or three of them. You are truly raising the bar and a true inspiration to all of us.
Posted by Bill Dirkes (Member # 1000) on :
I usually don't post to just say ditto DITTO !!! I was amazed watching David work thru this @ the Zoo, simply fantastic!
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
bumpin up for inspiration
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Deb, I was just going to say that too- except I'll shout it:
WHAT AN INSPIRATION!
It was seeing old work like that on horse drawn vehicles in Australia that inspired me to want to get into this trade. It's beautiful.
Thanks for the post!
Posted by Glenn Racoma (Member # 1846) on :
Thanks for sharing that poster/cover. It is just breath taking stuff to say the least! I just love the way he integrates technology into his designs. That's the stuff that interest me in my work as well.
thank you,
glenn
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
"David Butler is a national treasure with all the pretense of the man that picks up your garbage."
Well said Ricky.(I wish that I would have thought of that)
This couple truely represent the idea of giving yourself away. There is no better example of what the Letterheads is all about than the Butlers.
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
yup...thats the guy. The janitor with a PHD! Too bad he hasn't stuck his nose in to say something like "awh gosh dang, now cut that owt"
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I just spent 6 hours on a design this morning & although it's limited by my own abilities... I can honestly say the inspiration for both my initial concept & my ambition to discover it graphically came from this post & that cover art.
Inspirational in the truest sense of the word!! Thanks David!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Doug, I'm sure we'd all like to see it when you're donee! (puhleeeze!)
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
naahhh... I can't do that... now that I told you how long it took me
(I sort of wish I didn't make any reference to a design of mine... but it only was meant to imply that I was inspired to push myself into trying to improve my skills & that included adding decorative treatments to text, instead of just text in a box)
[ July 05, 2006, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Posted by Donald Thompson (Member # 3726) on :
I have admired that design since I saw it in Atlantic City in Dec. I have admired David's work on everything I've ever seen of his. I don't use photoshop or I would definitely take his class.
I finally got to meet David and Suze in Cincinnati. They are two phenominal people. Everything I had ever heard about them was true and then some. They really worked hard to make that a special weekend, and I for one really appreciate it.
Posted by Lee McKee (Member # 3533) on :
I want to be like Dave when I grow up! That is Awesome work!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I wish SotT would have a poster suitable for framing. I'd love to have a 22"x28" framed and hanging on my office wall.
.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Glenn, I was thinking the same thing...I'll get in touch with Tod Swormstedt and see if there are any such plans in the works.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Lee - if you want to be like David, you can't grow up. The more you get to know David, the more you understand that there is still a little kid in there just having a ball.
But, like you, I still would like to be like him. Unfortunately, I think they broke the mold when he was made. There is only one David Butler.
I talked to David this morning and still get that grin on my face just listening to him. He always has a positive spin on life and is anxious to get started on another project.
He's a little like Dan Sawatzky, only with a lot more hair.
[ July 06, 2006, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I actually have a lot more hair than shows.... I have it thinned regularly as I just don't like to cover up too much of me.
I wonder just how David manages to do all he does... and I'm sure that what we know about is but a small fraction of what really happens.
I know like Janis is a HUGE part of my life and inspiration Susie does the same for David.
-grampa dan
[ July 06, 2006, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Lee McKee (Member # 3533) on :
The "Better Halves" are not only Muses but they tend to keep us "sane" and focused. I love the use of the three stacked levels of scrollwork on Daves art. I'm pretty clever with text arrangment but, I could learn a lot about the use of adornments on a classy format sign. Cheers, Lee
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kimberly Zanetti: Glenn, I was thinking the same thing...I'll get in touch with Tod Swormstedt and see if there are any such plans in the works.
Cool!! Thanks Kim! Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Dave is in a league of his own when it comes to design. The workshop of his I attended was a real learning experience. I learned more of how he uses Photoshop but I also learned that to design like David Butler, you have to be David Butler.
I never get tired of studying David's work. Every time I look, I see something else I missed. His talent is unique and he and Suzie are a total class act.
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