Sign Painters

by Faythe Levine, Ed Ruscha (Foreword)

This illustrated history of hand-lettered painted signs across America, and the craftspeople who created them, is“a lovely paean to a vanishing art” (TheNew York Times).   There was a time—as recently as the 1980s—when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape.   Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade. In 2010 filmmakers Faythe Levine, coauthor of Handmade Nation, and Sam Macon began documenting these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States.   “This is not only a wonderful book, a delight to take in, rich and telling in its details and a visual pleasure with its gorgeous photography. It’s an important book that captures a largely untold story.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Genres: Art, Design, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Art Design

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2012

About the author

Faythe Levine (Born 1977, Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a photographer, businesswoman, and prominent figure in the D.I.Y. Ethic indie craft movement. She grew up in Seattle and currently lives in Milwaukee.

Reviews

[Seth Arnopole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in a newsagent’s that also sells books when I found this one misfiled among magazines about science and Zen. I took it as a “sign” that I had to read it. The voices of several sign painters are here, speaking lovingly of a craft that is less in general demand these days, but does still have a niche in today’s world. One highlight for me was the mini-collection of comic strips by Justin Green, which are featured in Sign of the Times (the magazine of the sign industry).

[Scott Boms]

As someone who has a real affinity for anyone doing work with letters or simply working with tangible things, I was truly engrossed with this book. It's important that there is an effort to record the stories of the master practitioners before they're gone. They're funny, touching, and it's hard to not connect with them on some level - to feel an attachment to the craft and to want to keep it alive. With that in mind, I was very pleaded to find the Blue Print Text Book included in the appendix - a good reference to learn some of those skills on your own.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've wanted this book for so long. Grandpa was a sign painter and I grew up breathing paint fumes and watching signs go from sketches on envelopes to cardboard tempera mock ups to full sized huge signs. All done by one guy by hand. I still have many of the mock ups and photos of all the signs.
I was hoping for a little more her about technique, obstacles, art. But still great to see the breed is alive and still using paint.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly everything I wanted. Nearly, because what I really want now is to read every manual these painters ever wrote.

[Nessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this book hoping to learn some techniques, left the book with a renewed understanding and appreciation of the craft... Though I still want to learn how to do it

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a nice book full of wisdom and life lessons from Sign painters who are really practicing this beautiful craft. It gives you great background to the craft itself as well as everything that surrounds it now - from the old times to the struggles with technology in our modern world and idea to the way of living. I really like how reading the interviews makes you feel like you are actually sitting down with the person and just casually talking. Big thumbs up for me! thank you!

[Erik Tanouye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gift from Diana!

[Rob Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five reverse decorated, gold leaf stars.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion to a documentary Sign Painters.
The book is 75% gorgeous photography accompanying short, one page, biographical information about the sign painters. Each painter, or mechanic, as they were called themselves in the old days, gets a 2 or 3 page spread. The tone is mostly bittersweet about how it used to be, since the trade has been replaced by computers. But the signs are exuberant!

There is not a lot of technical information but the appendix is a reproduction of a sign painters manual that seems to be from the 1950's.

After reading this I find myself easily spotting and appreciating hand painted signs along the road. I'll be returning to this book again and again.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about the documentary on 99% Invisible and I checked out this book when I noticed it on one of our display tables at the library. It's pretty interesting and really beautiful, and I think I might be able to see the movie at this year's Milwaukee Film Festival! Woo!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid read. I never took graphic design in art school (the coursework didn’t appeal, I didn’t need those classes, and the beginning courses were always packed every semester), but if you have an interest in lettering or murals this will appeal to you.

The book is broken up into short interviews with a ton of artwork.

It’s amazing how much these guys and ladies love what they do in a very niche market. They’ve been through a lot. (Those lead paints sound scary and awful!) >.<

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapters on folk artists who are distinguished in their field. Would have liked to see a more diverse representation of painters here, but there were a good handful of old-timers included (not just hipster revivalists). If you like this kind of thing, check out Levine's other book, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY Art, Craft, and Design.

[Michael Seidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of oral histories about an under-appreciated form of communication. The numerous accompanying photos are insanely vibrant and really bring the subject matter to life. This is definitely the kind of book that will force a person to be more aware of their visual surroundings as they move throughout a city.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book that left me wanting more. I haven't yet seen the movie, and the book definitely feels like a companion book to a film, as opposed to a work that stands on its own. But the artists profiled, the gorgeous images of them and their work, and the story woven together from these different threads is quite compelling and inspiring.

[Nick Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text can get repetitive — each sign painter reminds us that computers and vinyl make for bland signs — but it's a fair and under-appreciated point. There are fun stories and pretty pictures. I wasn't convinced that every artist's signs were actually good, but I didn't need to be, and most of the pictures made me want to open up a taco truck just to get the side painted.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former old-school sign painter and current graphic/sign designer I enjoyed this book. Interviews and examples of the work of sign artists who have kept the craft and tradition of hand-paints signs alive in the age of computer-cut vinyl are inspiring. Walldogs rock!

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and beautiful book.

[Bernd Pichal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, i also loved the blueprints at the end!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of inspiration here. Would love some more info from these painters about how to get into the business more. Haven't watched the accompanying documentary, but I plan to.

[Tony Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview on the craft and inspirational interviews on the people who are in it.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting look at a topic I never really thought about. Would be more interesting to a collector, painter, or even designer.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book on train while traveling from London to Sheffield UK. It's an awesome book about sign painters fate during the time and how the technology and vinyl signs killed their profession. It stimulates you so hard to go and grab a brush and start doing something creative with your hands.
What you won't find is creation processes, or "how to" things. This book is like a "collective memmoris" rather than tutorial type of book. There are plenty of images there though, so you can see the contributor's talent.