Adding the bling.

The critical phase of any sign or project is the design. Nothing works without that. From there is is fun to build the sign. With each step we get closer to our original vision. The last stage of every project is the paint. First base colors are applied and then a series of glazes, first slopped on and then wiped and dabbed judiciousy to reveal the magic. We generally work the background or deeper areas first , working towards the front or highest areas. There are always exceptions, depending on the design of the project. 

I love to see the sign come to life as we apply the paint. It is always pure magic!

After many applications of various colors and glazes we are down to the final colors on two more signs we are doing for the Fox and Hounds Pub. Hailey has done the bulk of the painting on these ones and she's doing a fine, fine job. 

There is one more coat of cream on the banners and then one more glaze before we are done. I can hardly wait to hang it in it's permanent home...

-grampa dan

More eye candy

Even through we have achieved substancial completion on the Fox and Hounds Pub project, we are still busy in our shop producing the last of the eye candy that will hang on the walls.

One of the signs features the Rovers Return Inn. This a ficticious British pub from the TV show Coronation Street which my clients enjoy. The sign will be small - only about 23" wide by 22 inched tall by 5" deep. 

The tricky part of this design was that my client asked if we could somehow light the windows of the tiny pub. No problem. With the amazing electronics avaialbe today it is easier and safer than ever. We'll be using Vigolites by Heico LED Lighting. What is so amazing about these lights is they have no connections. Even though they are low voltage they use induction to transfer the power. It hurts my brain to even think about it, but it sure does work well!  For those curious about this amaxing technology, here's the link... http://www.heicolighting.com/product.cfm?pro_id=7

Stay tunes for more pics as this fun project comes together...

-grampa dan

Slideshow of Fox and Hounds

Today we spent our last official day at the Fox and Hounds Pub. There are still bits of work to be done and some artwork to hang, but from now on it will be quick trips and without a crew to help me. It felt a bit like the end of summer camp as a kid. I was always glad to go home but I also knew it was the end of a special time with wonderful new friends.

The project has been a great one... and it turned out cool. Pictures don't do it justice, it's much better to see it in person. Enjoying the ambiance while enjoying a wonderful meal with good friends or family would be even better.

As always I didn't do the project alone. Janis did all the behind the scenes work in the office as per usual. My crew was all part timers on this project. In order of time on the job they were Sarah, Hailey, Annie, Becky, Rebecca, Peter, and Sabrina. All worked hard and added greatly to the artwork. The Harold's Contracting crew along with the many sub trades also helped us a great deal, providing us with what we needed when we needed it. A special thank you to Colin, the site superintendent for his unfailing good humor - no matter how pressured or busy he might have been. A great deal of credit also deserved by the owners of the Fox and Hounds - Debbie and Jeff Paul. They were a great source of inspiration and at the same time gave us enormous freedom to do what we love to do. The staff of the Fox and Hounds were also great to work with. in spite of us creating enormous amounts of dust, noise and other annoying disturbances. We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meals provided by the kitchen staff every day. The Fox and Hounds regulars cheered us on through it all as well. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience.

Here's a few of the pictures that show just a teeny bit of what went into the project over the last six months...

-grampa dan