When I used to do my Saturday "errands" around Somerville, I always noticed the small groceries that still displayed hand-lettered signs advertising their specials. Since the specials changed every week, I wondered what happened to the old signs and often thought that they would look rather snappy framed and hung up in a cheerily-colored kitchen.
I forgot about those signs after I moved, which is why I got super excited to find an old bookmark for KT Meaney's article about sign painters on Speak Up ...
"Amado Romero paints in Logan Square, Chicago. It is an old-fashioned occupation, but in this timeless neighborhood, a job with a fresh coat of paint. So I stop and watch. Amado speaks little english and silently offers his business card as a greeting. It reads: 'ZIGN; Amado Romero.' The card itself is a sign: hand painted with visible brush strokes that no Epson could output. I smile in return, 'cause that is something everybody everywhere does in the same language.
What a word: ZIGN! I like it mucho."
I enjoy the idea that, even in today's automated and online world, some things are still crafted with a sincere and skilled hand...like Job Wouters'...or yours!
I love those signs in Chicago. The Mexican produce place I always went to had signs just like the bottom pic. I love the "1"s that are basically just really fat rectangles with little serifs. Oh how I miss Red Peppers for $.79/lb!
Posted by: Beth | Monday, 21 January 2008 at 03:31 PM
additionally, it is my belief that now more than ever in today's automated and online world, people are looking for things crafted with a sincere and skilled hand. I can remember working tirelessly at my last G.D. job to make things look more hand crafted.
to all those G.D.'s out there: if you haven't pulled out a pencil and trace lately, you've been half-assing it. (ha! i love that i feel free to say stuff like that now!)
Posted by: the polish princess | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 10:05 AM
those sign painters are definitely still alive and well in Chi-town. that bottom picky could have been taken across the street from my sister's place...in fact, I'm convinced that it was. :)
Posted by: the polish princess | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 09:56 AM