Jeepneys are a popular mode of transport in The Philippines, and last year I profiled the decorative work that adorns them. This includes a wonderful documentary film by Esy Casey.
Today I found this video about a sign painter that produces the destination and other functional/directional signage for the Jeepneys. It shows the painter at work, including his tools, materials, and techniques.
“What really drives me crazy is if you go to a truck show and you see a 1950s restored Bedford or something like that, and it’s got computer cut lettering on it!” — Philip Smyth
On 2 March, at BLAG Meet (https://bl.ag/meet), Dr Amy Goodwin shares her research into the fairground painters, past and present.
This visual talk will include some of the works the Fairground Heritage Trust have in their collection — including, lettering which manipulates spatial depth and signs influenced by the cartoon industry — and discuss the impact the past has had on the fairground painters of today.
It's all offered free of charge to broaden access, but for those that can, a suggested $10 contribution to the running costs is appreciated: https://bl.ag/tip.
Please #Boost to help reach more people that might like to indulge in these adventures in sign painting.
Realised I should probably do these as a BLAG Meet-themed thread, so reposting link here about Dr Amy Goodwin's talk about the fairground painters: https://typo.social/@blag/111940125408455717
This will include new material from Fred Fowle that has been received by the Fairground Heritage Trust; which offers an excuse to share this wonderful BBC segment about him.
Nico will reflect on his participation in the Rótulos Compartidos ('shared signs') project, and talk about the importance and value of hand-painted signs for local businesses. And how to convey this to potential customers.
Nico's session is one of 18 across 11 hours, all online and free to join.
In this illustrated talk, Gustavo will go deeper into the frames and corners from his most recent 'Secrets of Fileteado Porteño' column, showing examples from his own work and past masters.
Gustavo's session is one of 18 across 11 hours, all online and free to join.
Learn what goes into hosting a Letterheads meet with Francois Tusseki at next week's BLAG Meet: https://bl.ag/meet.
Francois will share what he learned from the huge success that was last year's Benelux Letterheads — see https://bl.ag/benelux for a review — and will answer questions from the (virtual) floor.
This session is one of 18 across 11 hours, all online and free to join.
And remember: IOAFS.
Portrait cropped from original by Ben Boisacq, ACHROMAT.
Jennifer Konanz is joining us this weekend for BLAG Meet (https://bl.ag/meet). She has been a mentor to many young sign painters, and in her session she'll be sharing her experience to cover:
How to survive and thrive as a sign painter in a remote part of the world.
How to expand your services while keeping it all hand made?
What's it like opening a sign shop with a high street presence, and a shopfront of your very own?
Find out tomorrow at BLAG Meet (https://bl.ag/meet) from two people that have recently done just that: Rachel E Millar and Hana Lindsay, the duo behind Glasgow's Bungo Sign Co.
New at bl.ag online: 'Meet Earl Phillips: Cleveland's Greatest Living Sign Painter', with a biopic about the proprietor of Cleveland's U-Need-A-Sign Co.
With thanks to John Skrtic.for sharing the photos and producing the film, and to Michael Bierut for the instagram post a few weeks back reminding me of it all.
Pictured is Earl in 2018, outside the shop where he plied his trade from 1960.
Save the date: For all of August, there will be an exhibition in Bridport, Dorset, about the life and work of George Biles, a prolific signwriter, decorator, and scenic painter whose career spanned nearly 70 years.
A collection of his Palmers Brewery pub signs have survived, and will be displayed alongside drawings, and more.
I'll post more in the future, but for now, there is an extract from a 1932 article about Biles in the alt text.
Until the end of January, I'm offering 20% off my annual plan, including Issues 03 and 04 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) in the first delivery for new subscribers.
That's 144 pages of advertising-free adventures in sign painting, plus full online access, which includes digital access to the sold-out back issues BLAG 01 and BLAG 02.
Please boost for others that enjoy the art and craft of sign painting, and that might like to join our adventures.
Trop hâte d’arriver en Bretagne demain avec ma compagne pour suivre 5 jours de formation en peinture en lettres auprès de la talentueuse Morgane Côme !
Parce que bon, même si j’adore faire des sites web, disons que je commence doucement à réfléchir à ce que j’aimerais faire dans 5–10 ans, quand j’en aurai ma claque d’être assis 8h par jour devant un ordi… 👨💻 Pas vous ?
BLAG 04 is now in layout, and I'm working through final copy checks in the new expanded 80-page format.
It goes to print in a week, when this will be in colour, followed by shipping to members in December.
Visit https://bl.ag/join to sign up for the adventures in sign painting, or https://bl.ag/md20 for a special introductory offer, which includes Issue 03 in print and digital access to back issues BLAG 01 and BLAG 02.