About this item
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.
About the Author
My creative practice is not tied down to one medium; it is based on whatever I am passionate about. Over time this has allowed me to accumulate a large, diverse portfolio of work centered on themes of community, DIY, creativity, awareness, process, empowerment and documentation. I aspire to communicate honesty, authenticity and the quality of life through my work. My books and projects aim to be approachable and accessible and my work is exhibited and published in both formal and renegade outlets internationally.
