Besides "Woodie Guthrie" who Dylan fashioned his craft from. I wonder how many other known people were sign painters during their career? I think John Wayne, who made sets for film may have also made or painted signs. Is there any others that any of you might know of?
Jack
Posted by Joe Golden (Member # 6870) on :
Does being a legend in my own mind count?
Posted by Shane Durnford (Member # 8125) on :
Most of he group of seven (famous Canadian landscape painters from the turn of the century) started out as signpainters
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
If I ever got to be famous, I still wouldn't be able to say I used to paint signs (gotta get that in before Raymond does).
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
David...I am CERTAIN that you have painted signs!!!
I know I have.
"Painting" covers a lot of ground. Raymond himself admits to being an expert at coating out panels.
My personal preference was always a DeVillbis spray gun, but for smaller panels I was known to use a roller.
Heck, I even used a brush to apply size to some dimensional letters once!! Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
There's an "Artist" guy named Jim Harrison. And there is the sclupture guy, Luis Alfonso Jimenez Jr., who's father did neon signs. And didn't Ed Roth, The Famous Rat Fink Man, didn't he work at Knott's Berry Farm as a sign painter there?
Posted by Jim Moser (Member # 6526) on :
Yes, Ed Roth worked at Knott's Berry Farm for a while painting signs and other artwork. Von Dutch did the same at the Brucker Brothers' Cars of the Stars museum, and of course did his own signs, one of which is owned by a friend of mine here in town. These two are known world wide while most of the rest of us are just legends in our own minds.... Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
The next question...is there a listing dept. for those of us who are legends in our own minds? What number would you be? I am #45 in the pinstriper hall of fame?
Jack
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Jack!!!
I'd like to think I might make the top 500 of vinyl jockeys!!!
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
Hoot Gibson was a signpainter as was another cowboy legend I can't remember now. Jerry Seinfeld's father was a signpainter and Jerry helped in the shop as a kid. Samual Adams and Ben Franklin painted signs at times as did Thomas Paine. There should be some repository listing those. I think the criteria Jack intended is those who gained fame elsewhere and were also signpainters?
Posted by Tony Ray Mattingly (Member # 469) on :
Yes, since I am here from Louisville, I know that Cassius Marcellus Clay jr.(aka Muhammad Ali) father was a sign painter. He was actually a pretty good sign painter. I can remember around downtown Louisville as a kid you could see signs painted on walls that has C Clay down in the corner. I met him once about 18 yeas ago. He was suppose to letter a van but did not show up to letter the van for several days. They called me and asked me to letter it. About the time I got ready to start, he shows up. I said since he had the job first and was better than I was, I would let him do it.He did not have the One Shot color needed and was going to drive back downtown. I told him that I would sell him a can that I had to save him a trip. I I sold him a can for a few dollars. He then started pointing out other cans he wanted (for the same price) I kind of laughed and said "No dude, I'm not selling my paint, I just trying to save you a trip downtown. Anybody that knew him knew he liked to drink. I think he was a little vapor locked then.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Thanks for some info about the sign painters. I'm doing a paper on the subject and just wanted a little info. Kent, I spoke with Steve, a few days back. Seems all is Ok at his place in S. Carolina.
Jack
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Wait, don't forget Jerry Sign-feld, and David Letter-man, and Albert Ein-sign.....
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
how 'bout Tal Farlow
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Jerry Seinfeld's father was a sign salesmen. He clarified that in a tv interview.
Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
One of the cowboys from the old Miller's Outpost commercials was a sign painter. Not sure if Miller's Outpost was big outside of California, but they are now operating under the name of Anchor Blue.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Bruce, the guy's name is Wild Bill. He lives out near Riverside, Cal. And he still in the sign biz. I think his ex made out better from the commercilas than he did.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Bronner's Christmas Store here in Mich. is supposed to be the largest Chirstimas store in the world. Wally Bronner was a sign painter. I believe that Wally Bronner died this year or the end of last year.
[ September 21, 2008, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
Posted by Lee McKee (Member # 3533) on :
Don't forget that Adolf Hitler painted showcards when he wasn't busy being turned down by the art galleries in Germany...
Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
Alicia, do you know what business name he operates under? I actually live pretty close to Riverside.
Posted by Chuck Peterson (Member # 70) on :
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood said he used to make five dollars a day painting signs. He probably painted signs but probably wasn't a sign painter. Country singer K.T. Oslin, who had some hits back in the 80's. I heard an interview on the radio, she said "I had some horrible jobs before making it as a singer. Waitress, sign painter... The tone of voice she used when she said sign painter was what you would use to describe a very disgusting job.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
As far as famous, but not in the sense we're talking here,I, having just attended an annual reunion, of sorts, of specwar types, was amazed to find out that many were in this industry before service and many afterwards.....one such individual is 86 yrs. old, former Marine Raider from Pacific arena, where he honed his skills as a sniper, equaling Carlos Hathcocks records and then some, no fanfare, just a job, later became a accomplished signwriter in North Dakota, where he still resides today, totally retired.....though conversation along those lines drew a tear from him, his words, "Best years so far."
As far as Ed Roth, fellow striper Jim Moser is dead on, Ed was a highly qualified signwriter, some of his wallwork is still available to veiw on buildings thruout Manti, Ut., his last home...just veiwing signs, shows one just how at ease he was w/a brush and paint...w/an occasional drip for flavor, lol.....
Also understand that Redd Foxx's father/grandfather were signwriters...would explain his affinity towards the industry, he always insisted on painted signs for all his stage shows...I know, I made alot of money from Redd, and shared some really special moments w/him...
Bruce, Wild Bill can be contacted thru Ron Foreman in Upland,Calif... it's under Ron's Colorworks, tell the ol' codger hello from me if you hook up, might throw one in there for Alicia also, as I know them to be good friends too......
Posted by Judy Grossman (Member # 235) on :
Hey Jack...It's not the Pinstripers' Hall of Fame....It's the Pinstripers' Wall of Flames! And you are always Ssssssmokin' Dude!
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Australia's most famous, or should I say ... infamous ... signwriter was Alan Bond.
He started his career as an apprentice signwriter. Ended up buying out his boss, then moved to property development and the corporate world of finance.
He made multi millions and was the guy who bankrolled Australia's successful challenge for the America's Cup.
But he got too greedy and ended up "bankrupt" and in jail for bad deals costing investors millions. Of course he stashed away a comfortable nest egg and now, having served his time, is back in business far away from his creditors in Australia.
I must have missed the lesson: "How to make a Fortune" at Sign School! But at least I don't have any angry customers
[ September 21, 2008, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: Jon Butterworth ]
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
Charles Creators who invented the peanut roaster and commercial pop corn machine/ pop corn wagons was supposed to have been a sign painter.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Jack . . . Every sign painter-sign writer-sign artist is quite famous within their own community . . .
We're always being stopped in public by people who have been trying to, but can never 'catch' us,
who constantly have been 'trying' to call (but can never even get our answering machine) . . .
who have driven by our places, but can never catch a glimpse of us . . .
If we are wearing sunglasses, people peer at us incredulously and inquire . . .'Are'nt you that sign lady?'
While shopping or dining out we are most often accosted by the 'poveratti' who tell us how much they love our work and diligently question us for several minutes, yea, even far into the hour, about what all they need on a sign, only to end the conversation by replying to our own inquirey,'Oh, well-uh, I actually won't need it for another year or so . . . I just saw you and tho't about it and was just wondering. . .'
By the way, all the napkins, envelope-backs, and scraps of paper we have drawn on and laid-out our concepts upon during these 'casual' conversations are going to be worth millions of dollars as art . . . when we're dead.
Please admonish your fans to hang on to these eventual-priceless pieces.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
George Herriman His "Krazy Kat" comic strip appeared in U.S. newspapers between 1913 and 1944.
James Whitcomb Riley, known as the "Hoosier Poet" was also a sign maker.
Jack Nicolson's father was a sign maker.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Norman Rockwell. He was a signpainter and walldog before becoming famous with the Saturday Evening Post.
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
andy warhol.......peter max
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Back to "Wild Bill". The last time I was with him was at the "Brush Rush" at Mike Clines, place in NorCal. Bill,and "Little Louie" rode together a couple years back to make that meet. A craftsman without question.
Jack
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Kent mentioned Hoot Gibson. A good friend of mine was hired a couple years ago to fly for Southwest and Hoot was his check out pilot. Southwest has, I think, three space shuttle pilots. My friend says he's like a kid in a candy store when flying with them. Hoot told him the shuttle is doing over a hundred miles an hour when it clears the launch tower.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
A very distinguished scientist I know is also an excellent artist and the art talent goes back generations in his family. He told me his grandfather was a sign painter in Switzerland over a hundred years ago. Bill Hartmann might not be famous to many, but he's pretty special to me.
Don't forget "Jethro Bodine" on "The Beverly Hillbillies"
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
If Jethro was a sign painter how come he can't figure out how to get a permit for the 100' tall flaming oil derrick sign he wants to erect just south of here in Carson City? It's for the Beverly Hillbillies Casino he's been trying to get off the ground for years. Was Max Baer Jr. really a sign painter?
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