tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33512955496368991932024-03-05T12:55:55.236-08:00Best Dressed SignsBest Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-38585313954504860902012-10-25T12:50:00.000-07:002012-10-25T12:50:45.806-07:00Bye Bye Blogger! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmibS3G-OkliDaW__higT9DmgjWcDdRXrJgZoYQ47PutjPd1QOgUCBV2ORmS1jn_GZWPavjOTsY23867MtT7kNVtLMX2vqwk1L-obZaywEILjDC5s96hOJU4_PCqmCC4UTzmIKK4laIJ4q/s1600/ChameleonMovieshot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmibS3G-OkliDaW__higT9DmgjWcDdRXrJgZoYQ47PutjPd1QOgUCBV2ORmS1jn_GZWPavjOTsY23867MtT7kNVtLMX2vqwk1L-obZaywEILjDC5s96hOJU4_PCqmCC4UTzmIKK4laIJ4q/s320/ChameleonMovieshot.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Long lost Blogger followers!<br />
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Obviously I've dropped the ball on this blog for the last year or so but that's all about to change! In fact, there are a lot of changes happening for Best Dressed Signs right now, including a major surge in business and exposure (thanks in major part to Josh being featured in <a href="http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781616890834">Sign Painters</a>, the companion book to the forthcoming documentary also called <a href="http://signpaintermovie.blogspot.com/">Sign Painters</a> and all the <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671084/paying-tribute-to-artists-who-hand-paint-signs-in-a-digital-age?partner=newsletter#1">media attention that's been getting</a>), a <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.com/">new website</a>, a few interns, and a boost in management (that means me!).<br />
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To keep up with all the demands of a rapidly growing business in the rapidly changing world of the internet, we're moving our blog to <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>. This one will still remain here as an archive (so we can remember how happy and thankful we were to get <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/best-dressed-signs-first-bid-in-boston.html">our first sign job in Boston</a> and that we were <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.blogspot.com/2010/10/open-for-business_06.html">reaching 100 Facebook followers</a>!) but in order to reach an ever-widening audience, we feel it's best to move where the party's at and apparently for the time being, that's Tumblr (am I even right about that? Maybe there's already something even newer and better that I'll join years from now thinking I'm on top of my social media shit).<br />
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So please follow us on <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.tumblr.com/">Tumblr </a>(and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BDSigns">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BestDressedSign">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/">Flickr</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/bestdressedsign/">Pinterest</a> and maybe even Instagram soon--jeesh!) to keep up with our every move! We're even planning to start keeping a video diary (maybe on Vimeo? Is that the latest and greatest?)!<br />
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The Best Dressed Blog may be moving, but Best Dressed Signs isn't going anywhere!<br />
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Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-75909398599480125232012-04-10T07:19:00.001-07:002012-04-10T07:19:07.405-07:00Best Dressed Signs' photostream<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/7004480445/in/photostream/" title="Orchard skateboard graphic" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/7004480445_ed6f4f750a_s.jpg" alt="Orchard skateboard graphic" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6831066598/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6831066598_e913786bcd_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6831066096/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6831066096_33aa0e6d59_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977192455/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6977192455_4d96e5617b_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6831064890/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6831064890_031f526e5f_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6831061492/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6831061492_201e1878ac_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6831059594/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6831059594_14cbec4b3b_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977184115/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6977184115_0d4a2a1e8e_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977143849/in/photostream/" title="MCTS" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6977143849_71c81b0d9c_s.jpg" alt="MCTS" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977112313/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6977112313_6e2637d055_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977109833/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6977109833_feaa54cd84_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977107921/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6977107921_7dafd6db2c_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977104107/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6977104107_06c5dfc1f9_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6830975470/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6830975470_272605a37a_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6830973966/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6830973966_d11fc7427f_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6830973084/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6830973084_f71f186540_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6977098593/in/photostream/" title="Mother's Ruin" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6977098593_4c4c8cf68f_s.jpg" alt="Mother's Ruin" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6795538186/in/photostream/" title="HEAD" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6795538186_7644225f08_s.jpg" alt="HEAD" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6911266337/in/photostream/" title="Transoms" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6911266337_79fc053eb3_s.jpg" alt="Transoms" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6911265617/in/photostream/" title="1037 Beacon St." style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6911265617_8ab5983ed1_s.jpg" alt="1037 Beacon St." style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6911264813/in/photostream/" title="Harvard University " style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6911264813_4324474da4_s.jpg" alt="Harvard University " style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6911263647/in/photostream/" title="Harvard University" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6911263647_aaa14bf6de_s.jpg" alt="Harvard University" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6911262863/in/photostream/" title="Harvard University " style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6911262863_e92ae5d391_s.jpg" alt="Harvard University " style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/6882188349/in/photostream/" title="Brushes" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6882188349_f636442271_s.jpg" alt="Brushes" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/">Best Dressed Signs' photostream</a> on Flickr.</p></div><p>Check out our most recent work! </p>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-18480995530049644172011-12-27T11:32:00.000-08:002011-12-27T11:32:42.592-08:00The 2011 Best Dressed Signs Year in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-9-HytL30tkstfnDkTUf4hFgNkSrWIOhmcR8fdSVMHBcNrorttSzY_teJBWD5BNO4R3WVkrN6HdJXOHOO6YfIvFxpPAnSnoT3_NKKu9H0g4odBFKCwt8Dr6ra5c3faX_wT5qTQMCHuOp/s1600/SupportTshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-9-HytL30tkstfnDkTUf4hFgNkSrWIOhmcR8fdSVMHBcNrorttSzY_teJBWD5BNO4R3WVkrN6HdJXOHOO6YfIvFxpPAnSnoT3_NKKu9H0g4odBFKCwt8Dr6ra5c3faX_wT5qTQMCHuOp/s320/SupportTshirt.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First Edition Support Your Local Sign Painter Tshirt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">available <a href="http://signpaintershop.bigcartel.com/">here </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2011 was a busy year for Best Dressed Signs! In addition to cranking out signs for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/sets/72157626224634958/">Orchard Skateshop</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/sets/72157627163538679/">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/sets/72157627163613601/">Follow the Honey</a>, <a href="http://www.12ozprophet.com/index.php/news/12oz-visits-goorin_bros.-hat_shop-boston-in-anticipation-of-west_village">Goorin Brothers</a>, and a new glass gild for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/sets/72157627287687520/">Chameleon Tattoo</a>, among others, Josh also participated in five gallery shows and completed his first year of grad school! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In February and June, Josh showed work at the <a href="http://bluehourstudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/genuine-authentic.html">Summit Gallery</a> and <a href="http://guerrerogallery.com/shows/newbohemiasigns_jeffcanham_stevepowers">Guerrero Gallery</a>, both in San Francisco before beginning work on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFkv9rVsX0">behemoth sign </a>for the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/09/27/realestate/commercial/2011sqft-digital.html?ref=commercial">new Facebook office in NYC</a>. In November, Josh contributed work to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lincolnartsproject/sets/72157628240784629/">Type Show</a> and the <a href="http://www.lincolnartsproject.com/">Hundreds Show</a>, both at the <a href="http://www.lincolnartsproject.com/">Lincoln Arts Project</a> in Waltham, MA while also curating and showing work in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/sets/72157628177755603/">Pre-Vinylite Show</a> at Orchard Skateshop. In the midst of this artistic frenzy, Josh and <a href="http://kngee.com/">Kenji Nakayama</a> conducted a sign painting demo at Orchard in which they shared their knowledge with a sizable group of sign enthusiasts! Josh was interviewed about the Pre-Vinylite show and sign painting demo by Boston's Weekly Dig magazine. You can read the article <a href="http://digboston.com/experience/2011/11/today-sign-painting-demo-with-the-pre-vinylite-society/">here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the year is winding down, Josh is gearing up! He is currently working on a piece for another upcoming art show at Guererro Gallery called <a href="http://guerrerogallery.com/shows/an-american-language">An American Language</a> and he's been commissioned to paint the chapter titles for the forthcoming <a href="http://signpaintermovie.blogspot.com/2011/12/princeton-architectural-press-to.html">companion book</a> to the <a href="http://signpaintermovie.blogspot.com/">Sign Painter Movie</a>. All before beginning a new outdoor job painting a plaza on the Harvard Campus. Gotta pay the rent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned for more adventures in sign painting in 2012!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_503336194"></span><span id="goog_503336195"></span>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-89630712580019249682011-12-19T17:36:00.000-08:002011-12-19T17:36:41.356-08:00Lone Wolf Tattoo, Bellmore, NY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-UOzLUJJuUYpAfJhtm9nFIrIaDI0-EC2o6w5Hw8HP3Iw50kPcyA4WOFoIusi1-Xci91TdjQl1QFfG0c3mzwimFtU5eWBf3Ul8cPhXpTv6H-qu-0bkXxrOnGhcTjeXoGjpzksXl3UVCM/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-UOzLUJJuUYpAfJhtm9nFIrIaDI0-EC2o6w5Hw8HP3Iw50kPcyA4WOFoIusi1-Xci91TdjQl1QFfG0c3mzwimFtU5eWBf3Ul8cPhXpTv6H-qu-0bkXxrOnGhcTjeXoGjpzksXl3UVCM/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past week I made a trip down to New York to gild a sign for <a href="http://lonewolftattoo.com/">Lone Wolf Tattoo</a> in Bellmore, Long Island. I took the Bolt Bus down from Boston in true journeyman style with my sign kit and pattern in tow. Upon arriving in Manhattan, I met up with my friend <a href="http://copterdesign.com/">CJ</a> and stayed with him the first night. CJ joined me on the Long Island Railroad and helped out with applying the pattern. In return I showed him how the gilding process works. For the next few nights I stayed in Brooklyn with my friend <a href="http://nickiishmael.com/home.html">Nicki</a> and made the trip out to Bellmore for the rest of the week. <span style="text-align: center;">I had a great time hanging out with everyone at the shop and gett'n a real Long Island experience! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-43328944736927394572011-11-26T11:48:00.000-08:002011-11-26T11:48:06.636-08:00Pre-Vinylite Society Artists' Statement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPaMFWSv2bSmkzZEMhIQtqlhXTdNHH6-6Dd612tVYPLSbn6S2uXSLLrIa22bdjakC97bgrr0Lecnc0KXUKsFEa7e7hy4yY0ZnNBspzXzYxUBDyhKKzVY55zoKOKa27PZKARSn0G_U32mq/s1600/DSCN3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPaMFWSv2bSmkzZEMhIQtqlhXTdNHH6-6Dd612tVYPLSbn6S2uXSLLrIa22bdjakC97bgrr0Lecnc0KXUKsFEa7e7hy4yY0ZnNBspzXzYxUBDyhKKzVY55zoKOKa27PZKARSn0G_U32mq/s320/DSCN3553.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The name, The Pre-Vinylite Society, is inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of young English artists in the 19<sup>th</sup> century who were tired of the contemporary trend in art that venerated and imitated Raphael’s classical model. They held that the kind of rote, mechanistic replication that permeated the paintings of their day corrupted art and made it devoid of emotion and humanity. In a similar vein of rebellion, The Pre-Vinylite Society proposes to subvert the recent convention of lifeless vinyl signage as a digression from the time-honored institution and rich history of hand-painted signs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 26px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The craft of sign painting has survived through the tradition of mastery and apprenticeship and The Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Show highlights the skills and techniques that have been passed down through the ages. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">However, though The Pre-Vinylite Society’s signs serve to represent the classic signage of yesteryear, they are nevertheless very much products of the present day.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">While the signs in this show reflect many traditional techniques of sign painting, such as letter design, gold leaf, and glue chipping, they also push the boundaries of sign making as a solely mercantile art and assert the art of sign painting as a gallery-worthy endeavor. The Pre-Vinylite artists challenge the idea of sign painting as purely commercial by combining fine art mediums such as oil painting and sculpture into their works and employing ironic materials for their surfaces such as polyurethane and vinyl records.</span></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-74130671701537550262011-11-15T06:19:00.000-08:002011-11-15T06:19:31.468-08:00The Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXGZUpR3OLkZdltWT0pr1EYXwiyPD2iT14ftRAYD3au3YwnBXkQ32GcbsP2N25o7VlMNowMqpBOxVpWt54hddR3TVe4Np_Mz6ZZpZ65EnsZCet9ui8BxCHbRF9B47agQ1OmAqevlKFxoO/s1600/JL_BostonProcess1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXGZUpR3OLkZdltWT0pr1EYXwiyPD2iT14ftRAYD3au3YwnBXkQ32GcbsP2N25o7VlMNowMqpBOxVpWt54hddR3TVe4Np_Mz6ZZpZ65EnsZCet9ui8BxCHbRF9B47agQ1OmAqevlKFxoO/s320/JL_BostonProcess1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to everyone who came out for <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/pre-vinylite-society-sign-art-show.html" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Opening</a> on Saturday night. It was a huge success and we have a lot of people to thank for helping it all come together. Thanks also to the bloggers who posted photos so quickly after the opening. Here are some links:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thatsthehookup.com/design/hand-painted-sign-show-alston-ma-orchard-extension-gallery/">That's the Hookup</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://mouseizm.blogspot.com/2011/11/pre-vinylite-society-sign-art-show.html">This Artist is Working</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>If you missed the opening, have no fear! The show runs through mid-December and there will be a sign painting demo/workshop this Saturday, November 19th at 2pm in the gallery upstairs at <a href="http://www.orchardshop.com/">Orchard Skateshop</a>. Pre-Vinylites <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.com/">Josh Luke</a> and <a href="http://kngee.com/">Kenji Nakayama</a> will explain basic sign painting tools and techniques such as basic letter strokes, pattern making, pinstriping, and gold leaf.<br />
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Unlike the opening, which was 21+, this event is suitable for all ages! Come by and let the masters show you how it's done!Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-14225444574043414812011-11-02T08:17:00.000-07:002011-11-05T07:52:24.711-07:00The Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Show Opening Nov 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This unique art show features signs artists and lettering enthusiasts from across the nation who are associated with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PreVinyliteSociety">Pre-Vinylite Society</a>, a loose network of like-minded letter junkies. The show will emphasize sign art as a gallery-worthy craft, exhibiting the talents of several generations of sign painters in what is quickly becoming known as a Sign Painting Renaissance.</div>
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The time honored trade of sign painting has survived through the tradition of mastery and apprenticeship and the Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Show highlights the skills and techniques that have been passed down through the ages. </div>
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Curated by Josh Luke of <a href="http://bestdressedsigns.com/">Best Dressed Signs</a>, the Pre-Vinylite Society Sign Art Show is the first of its kind on the East Coast. Among other talented painters from around the country, the show will include artists from San Francisco's <a href="http://www.newbohemiasigns.com/">New Bohemia Signs</a>, a renowned sign shop owned by the venerable Damon Styer, whose artists have participated in several West Coast sign art gallery shows, including the recent <a href="http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/new-bohemia-signs-at-guerrero-gallery-san-francisco">Guererro Gallery show</a> (as seen in Juxtapoz Magazine) featuring <a href="http://www.firstandfifteenth.net/">Steve Powers</a> and <a href="http://www.jeffcanham.com/">Jeff Canham</a>. Many of the artists in the Pre-Vinylite Sign Art Show will also be featured in an upcoming documentary by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, titled "<a href="http://signpaintermovie.blogspot.com/">Sign Painters</a>," due out in 2012.</div>
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Opening at 8pm on November 12 at the Extension Gallery at Orchard Skateshop. 156 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA. Free beer and vegan pizza! </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163580510402234">Check out the event on Facebook! </a></div>
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</div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-56888933101178460522011-06-22T08:12:00.000-07:002011-06-22T08:12:01.561-07:00Tip of the Day: Glass GildingThese are the steps I take when gilding gold on glass. I've been posting one step at a time on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pre-Vinylite-Society/174908439232332">Pre-Vinylite Society</a> facebook page. As I add steps onto the Facebook page, I will compile them here so you can see all the steps in order. These are condensed explanations as Facebook only allows for so many characters in a single post. Hope this helps, and happy gilding!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Tip of the Day:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">This is Step One of a series on glass gilding. I'm no expert, but this is how I do it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Supply List<br />
-Gold (Book of 23k Surface gold / loose leaf) 25 sheets per book<br />
-Gelatin Size (I'll explain in next tip of the day)<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-Gilders Tip<br />
-Gilders Mop<br />
-Vaseline (or a greasy head)<br />
-Cotton (surgical with out seeds is best)<br />
-Black back up paint<br />
-Lettering quills</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-Sign pattern / pounce / blue tape<br />
-Bon Ami </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-Windex / paper towel</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">I'll explain more as I go!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Tip of the Day!<br />
Glass gilding Step Two: Making a water based gelatin size<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-A pint size mason jar with lid<br />
-Pour a small amount of water (room temperature), enough to submerge two gelatin capsules (I haven't found an alternative to gelatin, but I'm searching! Get these at a health food store).<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-Pull capsules apart before putting in water and make sure there are no air bubbles trapped inside the capsules<br />
-20 or so minutes after submerging capsules, pour in hot water (no more than is needed to dissolve the capsules completely) and swirl the water a bit<br />
-Fill the rest of the jar with cool water, swirl and inspect the liquid to insure that the capsules are completely dissolved.<br />
Screw on the cap and you are good to go!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Tip of the Day!<br />
Glass Gilding Step Three: Preparing the glass<br />
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-First clean both sides of the glass with glass cleaner(windex) and paper towel.<br />
-On the inside of the glass (the side you'll be applying the gold) take a razor scraper, and run it over the surface to be gilded, removing any tough debris or specks.<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">-Now take a paper towel piece, fold and add a small amount of Bon Ami and windex to the paper towel. Bon Ami is a cleanser that will help remove any oil or unseen residue.<br />
-Spray the window a bit and the Bon Ami in the paper towel, then apply the Bon Ami/paper towel to the window. Apply in circular motions. It will be frosty looking.<br />
-Let the Bon Ami dry completely.<br />
-Wipe off the Bon Ami with a dry paper towel. Make sure it comes off fairly easy, otherwise you may want to do a second round of windex and Bon Ami.<br />
-After removing all Bon Ami from window, go back over with a clean paper towel and windex. If you hear that oh so sweet window squeak sound you are good to go!</span></span></span></span>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-2880123770593049322011-05-24T14:12:00.000-07:002011-05-24T14:12:48.641-07:00Spring Time Sign Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6555B3yyg8XiwwaJjAQdIIgKJk-MgJtwAEgtC45eEXF8nz1IBS8epML9rIDdES9XG8NSckeI9PHYPeIL6Y4Z8OGjZMQU1ToN1pAus03c1Bfdh8TkClVgH7TLtbY9OYWy2-phZErW_0lvt/s1600/DSCN3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6555B3yyg8XiwwaJjAQdIIgKJk-MgJtwAEgtC45eEXF8nz1IBS8epML9rIDdES9XG8NSckeI9PHYPeIL6Y4Z8OGjZMQU1ToN1pAus03c1Bfdh8TkClVgH7TLtbY9OYWy2-phZErW_0lvt/s320/DSCN3050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hey folks!<br />
It's been a while since we've updated our blog but spring has sprung and we're back in action!<br />
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A lot has been going on for Josh and Best Dressed Signs these last few months, including: Josh's first MFA residency, a <a href="http://www.944.com/nightsites/gallery/genuine-authentic-hand-painted-signs/1892705/">New Bohemia art show</a> in San Francisco, a sign for <a href="http://www.orchardshop.com/">Orchard Skate shop</a> in Allston, preparation for a sign for the new Facebook east coast headquarters in NYC, and <a href="http://guerrerogallery.com/shows/new-bohemia-signsjeff-canhamsteve-powers">another art show with New Bohemia</a>, <a href="http://www.firstandfifteenth.net/">Steve Powers</a>, and <a href="http://www.jeffcanham.com/">Jeff Canham</a> in June, just to name a few.<br />
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Boston has slowly but enthusiastically been embracing the hand-painted sign movement and Josh's work will soon be featured on a restaurant, shoe store, and tattoo shop near you, so keep an eye out!Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-33181037282096910262010-12-13T13:35:00.000-08:002010-12-17T07:03:03.676-08:00"...left to the mercy of sunshine, soot, and shower"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlh23Ol5vnuF_ZwhnBwciBWRSI8h4JB-yKCDjAmL-lxh3W6ymdKnUm_j8VjZFXvEQvHgd9w2EAAlAB1xySdkaRLkSmszTaCC_kCorptq3zIU7ecfv0wCnc4m_Vv0yQwM-C76rJRVt8Pqi/s1600/salome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlh23Ol5vnuF_ZwhnBwciBWRSI8h4JB-yKCDjAmL-lxh3W6ymdKnUm_j8VjZFXvEQvHgd9w2EAAlAB1xySdkaRLkSmszTaCC_kCorptq3zIU7ecfv0wCnc4m_Vv0yQwM-C76rJRVt8Pqi/s320/salome.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550569664192215730" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; ">This proclamation is about the poster movement in London in the 1890's but I think it's completely comparable to the PVS movement of the 2010's. </span></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Advertisement is an absolute necessity of modern life, and if it can be made beautiful as well as obvious, so much the better for the makers of soap and the public who are likely to wash.<br />The popular idea of a picture is something told in oil or writ in water to be hung on a room’s wall or in a picture gallery to perplex an artless public. No one expects it to serve a useful purpose or take a part in everyday existence. Our modern painter has merely to give a picture a good name and hang it.<br />Now the poster first of all justified its existence on the grounds of utility, and should it further aspire to beauty of line and colour, may not our hoardings claim kinship with the galleries, and the designers of affiches pose proudly in the public eye...?<br />Still there is a general feeling that the artist who puts his art into the poster is déclassé—on the streets—and consequently of light character. The critics can discover no brush work to prate of, the painter looks askance upon a thing that achieves publicity without a frame, and beauty without modelling, and the public find it hard to take seriously a poor printed thing left to the mercy of sunshine, soot, and shower, like any old fresco over an Italian church door..." -Aubrey Beardsley, 1894</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-90802870459186765362010-11-20T19:42:00.000-08:002011-04-11T09:59:58.234-07:00The Pre-Vinylites: Notes on a Manifesto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx9pDZZNe46Zix6SJfW70nH1tIYxFrUoIJQ2qu1W0pfvOn8BiRUC-Uh8qXohMHCsqJD7VVR3NXofRRs4bOktGa9XLvz3Wnyrr7ORsPTb7NJx_2YpkRaIB3hF12u6W-B6xVI-nhV-z4uun/s1600/74773085Qtttcu_ph.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx9pDZZNe46Zix6SJfW70nH1tIYxFrUoIJQ2qu1W0pfvOn8BiRUC-Uh8qXohMHCsqJD7VVR3NXofRRs4bOktGa9XLvz3Wnyrr7ORsPTb7NJx_2YpkRaIB3hF12u6W-B6xVI-nhV-z4uun/s320/74773085Qtttcu_ph.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541850019457151458" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Th<span class="Apple-style-span">e <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Raphaelite_Brotherhood">Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood</a> was a group of young, London artists in the mid 1800's who were tired of the proliferation of art made by imitation and repetition and void of emotional connection. They established a fellowship and detailed their ambitions in a manifesto which included such intentions as:</span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; ">to have genuine ideas to express;</span></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; ">to study Nature attentively, so as to know how to express them;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; ">to sympathise with what is direct and serious and heartfelt in previous art, to the exclusion of what is conventional and self-parading and learned by rote;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; ">and, most indispensable of all, to produce thoroughly good pictures and statues</li></ul></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; ">They referred to themselves as "Pre-Raphaelites" because they believed that the tradition that resulted from the imitation of Raphael's classical model was a corruption to art, making it devoid it of emotion and humanity.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; ">Our intention for a "Pre-Vinylite Society" proposes to subvert the recent convention of tasteless signage as a digression from both time honored design and the traditional hand painted signs. We believe that sign craft, if done with care and passion, can aestheticize our urban landscape. This ideal is not limited to the execution of hand painted signs alone, what ever the medium, if done with care, tact, and well executed design, can positively affect the surrounding landscape. These are just some preliminary thoughts on what we hope will become, itself, a manifesto. Please comment with any ideas that you may have about the resurgence of hand painted signs and let's make this "society" a reality! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; ">-PVS</span></span></span></span></div></div></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-40441904590573871602010-11-15T20:32:00.000-08:002010-11-15T20:46:28.293-08:00Moving Along<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn4c4LWSS-2N9TrCrEJKjcLU9rV3s8oHtAsA52bcSjlt0gXxS9SGM-oYwLd8tK___xB4rUSj9wpBU104zZVNOLDEESoCECFX_aJrZiUQwgYu-s7qPd-Fb_z-Dy310kCbjyfeLKu3quw7Y/s320/DSCN2738.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540001136301008946" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The <a href="http://chameleonbodyarts.com/home.html">Chameleon</a> sign is completed and installed and receiving rave reviews! Josh is now working on a sandwich board for <a href="http://www.goodfaithtattoo.com/">Good Faith Tattoo</a>. He finished their glass door last week. Here's what it looks like:<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BLA9Jzl02gBzeoLGdj1S1gfYSdMU3gdVQmtieuSk4PIBvrQHvIjTab2rFlE8Za6a0hzRKtLj4UhyYVKhHWBxjSOZiQ5CeY9tVT91Q-41CiT8mSd_PG7EQHSez7hAIuxHKQMhTXicIIAV/s320/DSCN2722.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540001810037061170" /></div><div>If you want to see more photos of the sign-making and installation process , check out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boston-MA/Best-Dressed-Signs/153404038020205?ref=ts">Best Dressed Signs' Facebook</a> page!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up is a sign for <a href="http://p8.hostingprod.com/@primitivetraditions.net/">Primitive Traditions Body Piercing</a> (in the same building as Good Faith) and then hopefully some signs for <a href="http://jamaicaplaindame.blogspot.com/">Dame</a>, a really cool vintage store in Jamaica Plain, if they accept the bid. So far, so good.</div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-59433503697853702142010-11-05T18:26:00.001-07:002010-11-05T19:05:06.290-07:00A Rant by Meredith and then some Hot Italian Beef!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWt2ycZQksyhP-ljNWshhy8CcEv9xztyilc4bEZ_jLzWwu2x64eSV6kV3-tL_yGPs4EXWLrQhaQkPtwuEUwuR4NcE0vczgWTEx4jbej6BXVn_FGrqhIm-FQimkkKMv9hhR6pkEKVv17n5/s1600/DSCN2662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWt2ycZQksyhP-ljNWshhy8CcEv9xztyilc4bEZ_jLzWwu2x64eSV6kV3-tL_yGPs4EXWLrQhaQkPtwuEUwuR4NcE0vczgWTEx4jbej6BXVn_FGrqhIm-FQimkkKMv9hhR6pkEKVv17n5/s320/DSCN2662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536249685203915298" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Tomorrow is the big day! Best Dressed Signs is installing our first sign in Boston! The installation is scheduled to start at 9:00am and Josh is putting the finishing touches on the sign at this moment! <div><br /><div>And now, what I think are some important implications:</div><div><div><div>I think it's imperative that signage, as the most basic form of marketing, should not only be conducive to generating business for the company that it advertises, but should also contribute to the beautification of a space. It is, after all, or should be, the most accessible art that we see every day. Boston spent billions of dollars on the Big Dig in an effort to (among other things, of course) beautify the city, with the expansion of <a href="http://structurehub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/massachusetts-boston-the-big-dig-rose-kennedy-greenway-rowes-wharf-from-rose_fitzgerald_kennedy_greenway-on-flickr.jpg">parks and greenways</a>. Why not extend that aesthetic progress to the the city's signs? I think this Chameleon sign is going to be the first step towards changing the way people think about their urban environment here in Boston. I hope so, anyway.</div></div></div></div><div>Okay, enough of that. Click on this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-pHf7Kbcc">video</a> to see Josh in action, working on the last sign that he painted for <a href="http://www.newbohemiasigns.com/index.html">New Bohemia</a> in San Francisco. And check in again on Sunday, when I'll be posting all about our adventures in installation. It will certainly be the first time I've ever done it. Wish us luck! </div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-84297260732126587722010-10-28T19:56:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:11:55.405-07:00Work in Progress. Still.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmdLL2przSJKsJESK1jh8v4uJqO4Nt01W2rAlFX6HKtwgS27A0PLVjYgNjL3DP1EFQTPQ5r6Un17jXcfU5GcIdNODIn_ZbXZy4jx8up84QsXEXkRAWOJrxZisdkrwIrQmyUg9lUH5jqgr/s320/419.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533297566610579394" /><div>The <a href="http://chameleonbodyarts.com/home.html">Chameleon </a>signs are in the works! I forgot that they're getting two signs and they're HUGE so it's taking a little longer than first anticipated (besides the fact that Josh <i>obsessed</i> over the precise geometry of the 3-D and tacked strings to the wall, making me angle them just so while he stood across the room contemplating with his hand on his beard). But they're coming out awesome and will be worth the wait! </div><div><br /></div><div>He also just finished a sign for the 90th anniversary of a New York company called <a href="http://www.wwd.com/">WWD</a>, a fashion news website. The woman had originally contacted <a href="http://www.newbohemiasigns.com/">New Bohemia</a> and they referred her to Best Dressed Signs since we're on the east coast. Thanks New Bo!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the sign for them:</div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSiMNooJjBsM0Z-uNDEg2oNN0Ch5MmsAyp-Gh13ytKVEwV0PV_kKFlSP5tB1EdToLIbhOjmAz11wmkrKD2nAv_9W8d9-smIvPNnTtC-3uRyn_5sdpjxm2FlON96pPSL1g8vIznhfT1TPg/s320/208.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533297572183115922" /><div style="text-align: left;">Next up: <a href="http://www.goodfaithtattoo.com/">Good Faith Tattoo</a> on Comm Ave near BU. They're getting their glass door and some sandwich boards done. We'll keep you posted.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">And GO GIANTS!!!</div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-71532509803459104462010-10-15T16:37:00.000-07:002010-10-15T16:59:40.680-07:00Gettin' Goin'<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH6iXxoIgEprotWyATZThj5sbeO0-onxj2drrDKYsf6bxnsdyoCPUvErftAzdLTw5jBn9djysm1O1L1r8XqHO63s2drjuEu7fkz1LVOtq41W-5APrMq4ShbQT06thWyOwspYQMf2PjEOD/s1600/chameleon2ndsketch_diamonds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH6iXxoIgEprotWyATZThj5sbeO0-onxj2drrDKYsf6bxnsdyoCPUvErftAzdLTw5jBn9djysm1O1L1r8XqHO63s2drjuEu7fkz1LVOtq41W-5APrMq4ShbQT06thWyOwspYQMf2PjEOD/s320/chameleon2ndsketch_diamonds.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528421416121105682" /></a>This is the finalized sketch for <a href="http://chameleonbodyarts.com/home.html">Chameleon Tattoo</a>. We've been given the go-ahead and Josh has started on the pattern. Here's a picture of him tracing the projected pattern:<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpDMS7BG5pDt-I_r3BVhS0Zezz6xctbTHpsGuC6pacnvVffRQ8IQz5VdFM2HOY37VT2Kk8d54I1jjCpcLr2h4plc-dgFkI6YDYmEnOsWU5ABjJEEpRdI5d8_6F6A6eCX3ZEpIXgvdL3ZR/s320/176.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528424871686528306" /></div><div>Today he reserved another ZipCar and picked up the wood which the physical sign will be painted on. Tomorrow will begin "Covert Mission #1: rolling out the background paint in the basement". We'll see how it goes. Apparently, my cousin has offered to share part of his studio space so if things don't work out here, Josh at least has another option. </div><div>At this very moment, Josh is working on some sketches for <a href="http://www.goodfaithtattoo.com/">Good Faith Tattoo</a>. He is scheduled to start their window on Monday the 25th. After that, he'll start on some sandwich boards for them. </div><div>The Chameleon sign is scheduled to be installed by the end of next week and we'll be sure to post some pictures of the final product (including also, most likely, some more shots of Josh in mid-painting action). Stay tuned! This is just the beginning for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boston-MA/Best-Dressed-Signs/153404038020205?ref=ts">Best Dressed Signs</a>!<br /><div><br /></div></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-78492115408471239202010-10-06T17:08:00.000-07:002010-10-06T17:18:09.209-07:00Open for Business!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTLME4wmTwWLW8TMznrrVVMBPPvfSO6huL1vMEcY6W6IaB4XnYYTmSU3uypktDAI-6sxTsTETYXgRe5AbGDsdmIUK6sAaO6bPpiH1WpSIz_tG8hpjPTHXaA2W7axY_hlUL6enmBmSiwF0/s1600/chameleon+better+scan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTLME4wmTwWLW8TMznrrVVMBPPvfSO6huL1vMEcY6W6IaB4XnYYTmSU3uypktDAI-6sxTsTETYXgRe5AbGDsdmIUK6sAaO6bPpiH1WpSIz_tG8hpjPTHXaA2W7axY_hlUL6enmBmSiwF0/s320/chameleon+better+scan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525089406912021074" /></a>This is the first sketch for <a href="http://chameleonbodyarts.com/home.html">Chameleon Tattoo and Body Piercing</a> in the Garage in Harvard Sq. Josh submitted it to them and they LOVED it! It's obviously not finished, he's gonna tweak it a little bit, make it curve the other way so that "Tattoo" is to the left of "Body Piercing" but the idea is pretty much a go!<br />We're getting going on the equipment side of things. The Electro Pounce (a device that perforates the pattern so that a chalk outline can be traced onto the surface of the sign) arrived at our door today. We signed up for ZipCar so Josh can go and run errands like picking up the wood and paint and whatnot. He needs a saw and sawhorses that fold so that he can covertly sneak them into the basement of our apartment building to cut wood and roll out background paint. I think it'll go unnoticed, for a while at least.<div>The next step is advertising. The business card is finished and at the printers. Here's a preview (the real one has a phone number too):</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMHnLk6N7QYjp4XGLSFaCVvV16QTfFWdJUet1TMIGsMNspCkgmKKc1Vjuk_K4fm7o2aiQ-BZgglKNg8D09zMVzdkB3EBhxqSLQOgho31xwewnKnflBFUBrDY5nyLhfe2dL3TCc_ISS3t7/s320/bestdressedcardfb.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525090959470761794" /></div><div>The Website will be coming soon so keep an eye out! We'll update you here when it's up and running. Or at least up. Thanks for reading! And thanks for being Facebook fans, we're reaching 100! </div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-57506433956890890092010-09-22T18:26:00.001-07:002010-09-22T18:44:03.341-07:00Best Dressed Signs' First Bid in Boston!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnfCNFZyBuVqe1BK5siJLg6Y8Jexvkw4JyCiJ4RRtKpHcZ8_FnEhvtHqTgL6sJtYivjXHwQL_SQVsCLThH5Iw7BWsyZ-XnjsFPCEZu7XWuBQj1N2_dOL_SLGncrWIlKLE6LIKDbMQm89H/s1600/DSCN2347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnfCNFZyBuVqe1BK5siJLg6Y8Jexvkw4JyCiJ4RRtKpHcZ8_FnEhvtHqTgL6sJtYivjXHwQL_SQVsCLThH5Iw7BWsyZ-XnjsFPCEZu7XWuBQj1N2_dOL_SLGncrWIlKLE6LIKDbMQm89H/s320/DSCN2347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519917444678256354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Some nice gold leaf on Newbury St. Boston, MA</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today we visited our first potential customer in Boston at the <a href="http://chameleonbodyarts.com/home.html">Chameleon Tattoo and Piercing</a> Shop in the Garage in Harvard Sq. They are one of the first tattoo shops in Boston, as tattooing was not legal in Massachusetts until 2001! (Crazy, I know. We all had to go and get shitty New Hampshire tattoos by curmudgeonly old Vietnam vets with American flag parachute pants back in my day! Mine are all covered up by now.) <div>The guys at Chameleon were PSYCHED! Josh showed up all professional with a Bid Inquiry Sheet adapted from one from <a href="http://www.newbohemiasigns.com/">New Bohemia</a>. The old shop is really helping us out here in Boston. Couldn't do it without 'em! </div><div>On our way to Harvard Sq today, we also stopped by <a href="http://www.stingraybodyart.com/">Stingray Tattoo</a> on Harvard Ave in Allston to inquire about their need for signs and not only do they want and need some, but the owner, Scott, is an old friend of my sister's who I first met when I was 14! Small world!</div><div>Big day for Best Dressed Signs! Boston is the perfect venue for this burgeoning business! </div><div><br /></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-92201084334266896852010-09-01T06:26:00.000-07:002010-09-01T06:38:21.891-07:00Back to Real Life=Back to a SIGN blog!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0ZCXkJY32h6b9OV9L8wkNQyQ4VTAkFueL-yh6ROY40FkIlCYdg4iCSW5rvdAerK0UBpDdQb5eaOvCq6AZKPNKneKzjwvtNljpS65HrxzUGgJQrNiMqXy3fdJT-LsKO10b7brKUbKw1_/s1600/Sedona6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0ZCXkJY32h6b9OV9L8wkNQyQ4VTAkFueL-yh6ROY40FkIlCYdg4iCSW5rvdAerK0UBpDdQb5eaOvCq6AZKPNKneKzjwvtNljpS65HrxzUGgJQrNiMqXy3fdJT-LsKO10b7brKUbKw1_/s320/Sedona6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511938729567481970" /></a><br />Today we're moving into our new apartment and school starts next week for me, which means it's back to real life! Josh is starting to get Best Dressed Signs out there on the world wide web, so we have a new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Boston-MA/Best-Dressed-Signs/153404038020205?ref=ts">Facebook</a> page. Become a fan! <div>We also got a new computer (!!!) so we can easily upload photos. Check out the pictures of cool signs we saw all across the country on Josh's new <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdsigns/">Best Dressed Signs flickr</a> account. There's a variety of signs that we liked, from gold leafed, hand painted, neon, to ghost signs from yesteryear.</div><div>Stay tuned to this blog as it will chronicle Josh's transition from a laid back New Bohemian to a bad-ass Boston Best Dressed Sign Painter! </div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-46500139892260389672010-08-27T14:08:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:40:16.059-07:00We made it to Boston!So I let the blog go: sorry.<div>It was getting too stressful trying to upload pictures and a find places with wi-fi, etc. But we made it! And now I have use of my brother's fancy new computer so the pictures are getting uploaded to Facebook. You can view the three albums that comprise the trip! The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/editalbum.php?aid=55817&add=1&flash=1#!/album.php?aid=54424&id=1628419371">first one</a> documents our trip from our first stop in Ojai, CA through a drunken night in Vegas. The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/editalbum.php?aid=55817&add=1&flash=1#!/album.php?aid=55817&id=1628419371">second one</a> has the pictures from the Hoover Dam through Nashville, which includes the Grand Canyon, Sedona, AZ, Austin, TX, New Orleans, Graceland, and a few scenic views in between. The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=55827&id=1628419371&ref=mf">third one</a> shows our adventures at the Jellystone Campground in Mammoth Caves, KY to Chesterton<><div>Josh took this video at the Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar in Nashville, TN. He also took a LOT of cool sign photos so we'll compile those all together and make a blog that's actually about signs, coming soon. That's it for our travels for a while. Now it's back to real life, if a totally different one than what we've been used to. Stay tuned for the cross country sign blog though.</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymrCZsbSUVmP83Xaw7o6kHUWlcg3C-4k3_Q793epr04gEfeNrtNzSfaFNLS9mivQjhmVcAtxpFrSzNmM6-' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-79475035725973721772010-08-12T22:29:00.001-07:002010-08-13T01:14:00.160-07:00New Orleans!!!It's official. This computer will not allow me to upload photos without a WHOLE lot of time and trouble, so you'll all have to just come over for the slide show. ;)<br />So we're in New Orleans in a Holiday Inn just off Bourbon St: A HUGE step up from the Motel 6 in Lafayette, LA where we stayed last night. I think someone <span style="font-style: italic;">may</span> have been murdered in our room at some point in the past. What I do know has <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> happened there is any cleaning of the toilet recently. We were planning on staying at a KOA, as we had a fantastic experience at one in Kerrville, TX just before Austin, but it was TOO HOT and we were too tired so we sprung for a crappy motel.<br />Speaking of Austin: WOW. When we arrived it was about 100 degrees and nothing was open on 6th St so we (for some reason) decided to walk up to the capital. Pretty. And pretty boring, so we bar hopped, ending up at Lovejoy's where we met a very friendly local named Kevin who told us about Barton Springs, a public pool fed by natural spring water. What an oasis! We cooled off, went to a rockabilly club on South Congress and slept (barely) in oppressive heat in the van before we promptly drove back to Barton Springs in the am, ate a snow cone and headed to Lousiana.<br />We arrived in New Orleans around 5:00 this evening and walked around Bourbon St drinking extremely touristy Hand Grenades and ducking into bars to pee. We decided to walk to Jackson Sq to check out some historical buildings and on the way back to the hotel we ran into my old friend from the beginning days of Whole Foods (2002), Josh. What a CRAZY coincidence! I'm still blown away! He's moving his friend, Nija, to Chicago and it looks like we'll be there around the same time too! What a small world! Okay, so I'm pretty drunk on 2 hand grenades and a few Abitas (a local brew) so I'll end this rant now. More to come!<br />I got SOME of our photos up on Facebook, from Ojai through Vegas. You can see them <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1075477&id=1628419371#%21/album.php?aid=54424&id=1628419371&page=3">here </a>if you have a Facebook account.Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-20333171017587758912010-08-09T09:35:00.000-07:002010-08-09T10:05:14.373-07:00El Paso, TX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wKK8GRAqt6r3v51u_jjJSrHSqRAbpUQDdQMatXC7Fgo39A8GqJ5E9xf7x0mXDIUgRUwDxQtCahLTawJ7EodzUbuJ4ydAbTxKzsEbVw6OBfJEqFOVEa7lhA-Dg0K3JKTdMQZaX1D0JW7z/s1600/8-8-10+222.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wKK8GRAqt6r3v51u_jjJSrHSqRAbpUQDdQMatXC7Fgo39A8GqJ5E9xf7x0mXDIUgRUwDxQtCahLTawJ7EodzUbuJ4ydAbTxKzsEbVw6OBfJEqFOVEa7lhA-Dg0K3JKTdMQZaX1D0JW7z/s320/8-8-10+222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503451122726347698" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently you're allowed to park in Walmart parking lots all night long and sleep there. They even provide free security. That's where we woke up this morning in El Paso, after driving about 8 hours from Sedona, AZ. Yesterday was a big day in Arizona. After leaving Williams, we drove up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon where the fog was rising from the depths. Maybe not <span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Italic" title="Italic" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 4);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Italic" class="gl_italic" border="0" /></span></span>the best day for visibility but still really cool.<br /><br />We arrived in Sedona at sunset and it was breathtaking. Josh took a lot of pictures of<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Qp7h3IFb31JqmXd8SH7meyE6dFE0GwkGD2FT-91JlxlXbP0506g5x8jk7tPqsrDfgr7D315lNsIbBi4x9vV4XPniplIVXZzYtdjN9Z0fUGUJc_NaYIbkcyNYBSEsvQNO-7QykcDEkik/s1600/8-8-10+265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Qp7h3IFb31JqmXd8SH7meyE6dFE0GwkGD2FT-91JlxlXbP0506g5x8jk7tPqsrDfgr7D315lNsIbBi4x9vV4XPniplIVXZzYtdjN9Z0fUGUJc_NaYIbkcyNYBSEsvQNO-7QykcDEkik/s200/8-8-10+265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503455809929586050" border="0" /></a> hand painted signs. (Remember, that's what this bog is <span style="font-style: italic;">supposed </span>to be about.) Here's one example.<br /><br />Today, we're trying to make our way all across Texas to Austin, although we'll probably have to stop somewhere and camp tonight before we make it. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to post pictures. I'm thinking maybe Facebook, but I'll let you know. We got some good ones! Next stop, Austin, TX!Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-9727118498208921692010-08-07T11:27:00.000-07:002010-08-07T11:37:13.658-07:00Williams, AZWe're in an internet cafe in picturesque Williams, AZ on Route 66, just west of Flagstaff. It's pouring rain. We arrived here around 10:30 last night, hungover from Vegas and unbearably hot. We decided to just eat a can of beans and sleep in the van and it was pretty comfy. We woke up this morning to the sound of rain beating on the roof of the van and a train honking and then passing right by our windows. This place is so cute! There's a thrift store I want to check out before we head out. <br />There's no pictures because the battery died on the camera and with everything that we possess packed into the van and trailer, I couldn't find the charger. We have to work on our organizational skills. Also, my computer is from the 1900's (no joke) and I can't handle how long it takes to upload photos. We'll just upload them all when we get to Indiana at Josh's mom's house so until then you'll have to just read what I say and take my word for it.<br />We're headed up to the Grand Canyon today, then back down to Flagstaff and maybe Sedona tomorrow before we set up camp in the Petrified Forest. At least, that's the plan.Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-81118084392920217162010-08-05T20:40:00.000-07:002010-08-05T21:28:59.274-07:00Road Trip Blog #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi2NA-d5COt7ExRalP68k_axezYx-b1HUpvLwyCWOAu3tPs8bdvruAtK1I03gSOTzn4IEICeOlZGhNTNTNC4Z0B-2KzxgXCWJIjkEY9_uolY8p0YrmZh-WnKRN6wPz6PSQHoLmwFHGJTD/s1600/8-3-10+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi2NA-d5COt7ExRalP68k_axezYx-b1HUpvLwyCWOAu3tPs8bdvruAtK1I03gSOTzn4IEICeOlZGhNTNTNC4Z0B-2KzxgXCWJIjkEY9_uolY8p0YrmZh-WnKRN6wPz6PSQHoLmwFHGJTD/s320/8-3-10+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502138208085524130" border="0" /></a><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMEREDI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I wrote the following post on Tuesday, August 3</span><sup style="font-family: times new roman;">rd</sup><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> but the place where we were staying had no internet or phone service so I’m only posting it now. We’re in Vegas at the moment, staying at the Excalibur (I’ve never actually been a Ren-fair nerd but I sooo could have been). We’re about to head down to the casinos and start drinking, then we’ll lounge by the pool tomorrow morning before we head off to the </span><st1:place style="font-family: times new roman;" st="on">Grand Canyon</st1:place><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> via the Hoover Dam. It looks like the internet situation (combined with the severely shitty condition of my really old and SLOW laptop) is kind of spotty so I’ll try to post as much as I can, but it may be only once every few days. Stay tuned though. The real road trip (no more friends to stay with or Vegas hotels) is about to launch! </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">8-3-10</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So the fun begins! </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Last week was one of the craziest I may have ever experienced: so many errands, so much packing and purging and selling and trashing. So many going away parties! Last Tuesday we shipped our cat to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city> as cargo on United Airlines. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever had to do. But now she thinks that we’ve abandoned her and is slowly adjusting to her new life with my brother, Greg (who was kind enough to take her in the first place but also to post this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata&v=UOMzUZOlh2Y">U-tube video</a> of her playing so we would know she I feeling at home). </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>On Thursday, we flew to <st1:city st="on">Seattle</st1:city> for our friends’, Steve and Julia’s, wedding on the Virginia V, an old steamship docked at <st1:placetype st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Union</st1:placename> near downtown <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city>. The wedding was on Friday evening so during the day on Friday, Josh and I walked around Pike’s Place and spent a lot of time at the magic shop taking pictures of old carnival posters. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>We flew back on Saturday night and after some minor setbacks (we had to get the headlight fixed on the van <i style="">again</i>) and a day’s delay, we finally made it late last night to our friends’, Nick and Fanny’s place in Ojai, CA, just north of LA. We were a little afraid that the van and trailer might not make it down the dirt road that they live on, but Josh is a pro at maneuvering that monster and here we are! Nick and Fanny live in a HUGE warehouse space with a merry-go-round and an outdoor bathtub, just a short hike from a river and a swimming hole where we’re headed later on today. I can’t even describe how amazing their place is. Hopefully the pictures do it some justice. At the moment, Josh is still sleeping, Nick is at work, Fanny is downstairs making breakfast for us, and Cherokee and Bandit are fighting over a torn up bandana on the bed, looking cute as little dog-shaped buttons! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>We’re staying here until Wednesday, when we head to LA to spend the night with Josh’s friend Neil and then we’re off to Vegas! See you on the road! <span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-J&M</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> You can view some of our pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh-meredith/">here</a>; more to come! I'm still figuring out the best way to post them. Enjoy!
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<br />Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-4892917861818366212010-07-23T21:42:00.000-07:002010-07-23T22:37:44.147-07:00Last Day of Work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ea6jlL9xgnZl71lXI6aS3X7R7yQk0k2EHwcJ7GJ1bmD3XTf68SYSSeoYynOR6CF_D97de088IMQ734x44hZu60D5YSrumfopdi3S9FCaROeSDrsoD3iYxjLOPbaZOZpWwT8IA7ku7qmM/s1600/7-23-10+151.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ea6jlL9xgnZl71lXI6aS3X7R7yQk0k2EHwcJ7GJ1bmD3XTf68SYSSeoYynOR6CF_D97de088IMQ734x44hZu60D5YSrumfopdi3S9FCaROeSDrsoD3iYxjLOPbaZOZpWwT8IA7ku7qmM/s320/7-23-10+151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497330173237726050" border="0" /></a><br /> Yesterday was both Josh's and my last day at work: quite a different experience for each of us. Josh had a career here in San Francisco as a respected artist, whereas I had a job, and a crappy one at that (though I love my co-workers, friends that are like family who I will miss beyond words but dear God am I glad to be out of there!). Josh's experience at <a href="http://www.newbohemiasigns.com/">New Bohemia</a> has spawned a life path that he is ready to bring east.<br /> Josh's last job at New Bohemia was <a href="http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/paololucchesi/2010/07/21/tony-gemignanis-expansion-next-door-coal-ovens-pastrami-italian-beef-and-more/">Tony's Pizza Napoletana</a> in North Beach where he got a final chance to showcase his talent alongside his revered boss, Damon Styer, whose blog about his adventures in sign painting can be viewed <a href="http://nbsigns.wordpress.com/">here</a>. I mostly just stood around yesterday.<br /> After work we went over to the <a href="http://www.sfeagle.com/">Eagle Tavern</a> where we enjoyed some beers with our co-workers and some of San Francisco's finest leather daddies. Today Josh and I were audience members at the final taping of <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/channel?section=view_from_the_bay&id=5755208">View from the Bay</a>, a local daytime talk show. What a range of characters we experienced in the course of 24 hours: from bears and metal heads to Oakland church ladies singing gospel songs during the commercial break! I love this town.<br /> We have less than a week now to get all our stuff together before we fly to Seattle for our friends' wedding. We get back next Saturday night and we hit the road on Sunday, August 1st. The first leg of our trip will include a visit with our friends Nick and Fanny in Ojai, followed by a visit to LA and then we're off to Vegas! We'll keep you posted along the way so stay tuned for our Blog Across America!Best Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351295549636899193.post-36803414817051810862010-07-05T11:04:00.000-07:002010-07-05T13:49:46.913-07:00The Dwinding Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcFlHMErL01bWK33PuRnbgTdUXB5SfaNkzXuSF0hyphenhyphenO2FGJ6B4tFS6tfuriRAEChrRRpmLT-7OZBSo8dRqFBNNzw-KAPCIKsvsbFrUm8-igsUvbaT1MWI1EZb4y0wvWhOT_gObkutgbHrY/s1600/6-27-10+155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcFlHMErL01bWK33PuRnbgTdUXB5SfaNkzXuSF0hyphenhyphenO2FGJ6B4tFS6tfuriRAEChrRRpmLT-7OZBSo8dRqFBNNzw-KAPCIKsvsbFrUm8-igsUvbaT1MWI1EZb4y0wvWhOT_gObkutgbHrY/s320/6-27-10+155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490488813742858194" border="0" /></a><br />Our days here in SF are quickly coming to an end (we have less than a month!) and we want to make sure that we both experience and document as much as we can before we go. If anyone's interested, I have a list-in-progress of things I love but may have taken for granted in my decade in SF. It's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest&note_id=368352607919">here</a> if you want to check it out.<br />You can also check out our new (and skeletal) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh-meredith/">flickr</a> account which has some photos of things we've been doing recently, like Finest Dearest's last show (there's more of those <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leverace/sets/72157624248245853/">here</a> if you're interested), our impromptu trip to Santa Cruz, and Josh's co-worker Caitlin's up-and-coming urban organic farm.<br />Josh has also been finishing up some signs like this one here for Ian at Double Crossed Tattoos. We'll have a set on flickr for his sign work soon, but until then everything's all just mixed in. That's all I've got for today. Thanks again for checking us out. -M&JBest Dressed Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369823208616415304noreply@blogger.com0