Tag: signwriting

Signwriting: revival everywhere

Post author By John Pitt
Post date 30/09/2013
4 Comments on Signwriting: revival everywhere

Back in June I posted a brief item about signwriting based on a photo of a couple of guys I noticed hard at work in my town here in Australia (see here).

I was delighted last night to catch on the local news a brief item about the work of a signwriter down in Newcastle, Australia by the name of Brett Piva. Check out this documentary movie. (You may also like to check out some of my past blogs on the subject.)

The reason give for the renewed interest in signwriting? It’s a reaction against: the non-creativity of laser/vinyl printing etc; the desire to see the human touch and spirit; the movement against conformity and sameness everywhere. This feeds into any kind of lettering – be in stone or on paper.

I’m greatly encouraged. Indeed Edward Catich, were he alive today, would have been delighted, since he started off as a Chicago signwriter before he pursued research on Roman inscriptions that led to his marvellous and, still relevant, The Origin of the Serif.

Note – the illustration is taken from Lewery, A.J. (1989). Signwritten Art. David and Charles, London and shows the work of a Cumbrian (UK) tradesman.

Tags Calligraphy, Edward Catich, sign-writing, signwriter, signwriting

lettering

Back from a break – signwriters at work

Post author By John Pitt
Post date 14/06/2013
4 Comments on Back from a break – signwriters at work

It’s been a while since the last post (four months). I will ease myself in gently with this photo of men at work painting a sign. The craft of sign writing is alive and well here in Australia. For those interested another post can be found on signwriting here.

Tags Advertising, ephemera, Graphic design, sign-writing, Signage, signwriting

lettering

Signwriting – a lost art?

These illustrations were taken this week of a hand painted sign in the local town a few kms from where I live. Judging by the style I’d estimate the sign was painted in the 60s or perhaps 70s. It is a nice example of slab lettering combined with shading to make the lettering seem as if engraved or incised. (Shame about the orange graffiti.)

The next illustration, taken from A.J. Lewery’s Signwritten Art (1989, David and Charles), shows a page from William Sutherland’s The Practical Guide to Sign Writing and Gilding, and Ornamenting on Glass (1860).

Tags architectural lettering, Capital letter, Graphic design, illustration, lettering, sculptural lettering, sign-writer, sign-writing, Signage, signwriting

lettering

Signwriting – Rick Talarico

Post author By John Pitt
Post date 12/10/2011
No Comments on Signwriting – Rick Talarico

I spotted Rick today doing what he does – signwriting. He was up a ladder and I took this photo of him at work before going over to have a chat. “There’s not many of us left” he told me. “Usually I work in vinyl. Don’t often get the paint pots out. People don’t want stuff that lasts.” He had trained as a signwriter he told me and gave me his card – “Rick Talarico – signwriter – all aspects of signage”. Good on you Rick. I will return and post his completed sign soon. (He uses ordinary enamel paint by the way.)