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Denver Lettering: Historic Painted Building Signs

2011-06-15T16:17:00.001-04:00

More Photos of Historic Painted Building Signs in Denver, Colorado

When I was out in Colorado a few weeks ago, I had the chance to really explore the downtown area of Denver, specifically the LoDo District (Lower Downtown Denver). I noticed that there were a ton of buildings, mostly brick, with historic hand-painted signs in various states of legibility. I tried to photograph as many as I could. There are much more, but it was a steamy 89 degrees that particular afternoon. I hope to get back there on the next trip out and keep updating this album!

LoDo is the oldest part of Denver and was where the city was originally settled. (General William Larimer placed some logs in LoDo in 1858 and that got the ball rolling.) It's recognized as a historic district, citing historical, architectural, and economic impact, and I was glad to see so many of the old signs preserved (not painted over). You can tell that the neighborhood has significant historical importance just by checking out the buildings. There are impressive Art Deco, Gothic Revival and Chicago Commercial style buildings alongside what were apparently saloons and brothels in the area in the mid-twentieth century. A checkered past always makes a neighborhood more visually interesting.

The hand-painted signs were great reminders of the neighborhood's former identity, and I found it fascinating to compare the styles of lettering and the hierarchy within the business names. I like the stories of things, and seeing history out there in the open on a building had me imagining farmers of the past ordering from the seed companies, bottles clinking at the milk company, and the combination of smells that must have wafted out from the chocolate company and mixed with the horses passing by. The evolution of advertising, lettering and architecture is plainly seen in this historic neighborhood of Denver, and with the current revival of hand-lettering and hand-painted typography, I wonder if more folks on their way to the brewery or to catch a ball game will notice the faded letters way up there on that building.

Check out lodo.org for more info about the district.

Foraging.

2010-11-08T00:18:00.000-05:00

Got my samples today for my spore prints! CJ and I trekked into the woods to find some late-season specimens and they are currently spore printing as I type this. The prints I make will eventually find their way to my final bookmaking/letterpress book project. Fingers crossed for a successful batch...

Hardcover Pamphlet

2010-10-17T12:56:00.007-04:00

Man oh man have things gotten busier! I'm currently enrolled in the Graphic Design Certificate Program at MassArt, and this semester my classes include Typography and Artist Books on the Vandercook Press. No that last one isn't precisely part of the program, but I had room in my schedule and honestly I couldn't concoct a better class if I tried.

The class is being taught jointly by Sarah Smith and Peter Madden, so they alternate weeks of book-making and letterpress instruction. It's a great format and I am learning so much. It's especially nice to be taking Typography at the same time I'm learning about setting type on a Vandercook. Leading makes perfect sense—as I leave the Vandercook class with hands smelling of lead type slugs and to see all of the work involved with manually justifying/aligning text...well I have a much better appreciation for setting type now. I'll update with letterpress work as I get to printing my final project, but for now here is a sweet Hardcover Pamphlet I made per Peter's instructions:

The book is covered with beige book cloth and a
decorative cover paper I fell in love with at Kate's Paperie.

The pamphlet is sewn in the center with a 5-stitch binding, including a paper
hinge at the back of the signature. The hinge is then glued to the inside of
the book board before the book cloth is glued on over it. The signature contains
folded and sewn sheets of white paper and colored end papers on the outside.

The orange decorative end paper (wrong side facing out) is pasted down over the
edges of the cover paper, hiding all edges and seams. The brown end paper (right
side facing the right side of the orange paper) then acts as the signature cover
inside of the pamphlet, with the white pages inside.

2010 Holiday Card Submission

2010-06-12T17:58:00.006-04:00

Just submitted this design to a non-profit holiday card call for submissions. Hope they select it for production!

Vegetables, By Letter

2010-05-14T20:04:00.004-04:00

Decided to work on an alphabetical vegetable series in my sketchbook. Couldn't find an X veggie, so settled on a fruit called "xigua".

Accent wall: completed.

2010-05-14T19:30:00.007-04:00

Accent wall finally done! And we have new bed linens - the pillowcases are white and yellow dots (Droplets from the Martha Stewart Collection) and a new blanket for the summer (in Shitake from the Martha Stewart Collection too). The only remaining task is to paint the other 3 walls with a new coat of white paint now that the temperature has warmed up and we can open the windows to air out the room. I'm trying to keep Ivy off of the blanket so she doesn't snag it...but sadly I haven't been very successful. The colors of this room have turned out to be avocado on the accent wall, light yellow, and browns. Still trying to figure out what color rug will work best.

So uh, anyone looking for a mural? Shoot me an email for nurseries, bedrooms, playrooms and anything else you're thinking!

Mass Market 6

2010-05-07T13:23:00.005-04:00

It's back! The Mass Market returns for round 6 on Sunday, June 27 from 11am-5pm in the Pozen Center at MassArt.

Admission is $1 (AIDS Action Committee) and there are over 60 vendors this year! They've got record distros, photographers, painters, local bands, button makers, bookbinders, clothing designers, djs, vegan and vegetarian bakers, and many more for a day of swapping, sharing, selling and buying art.

I'll be there selling Electrical Outfits and I'm also working on making mugs, plates, etc. with the same kitschy/porny imagery. Still in experiment mode, so I hope to have everything worked out by then.

Hope you can make it out!

CD packaging, sales and more!

2010-04-12T11:54:00.008-04:00

Projects - It's been a busy past few weeks! I designed the digipak CD packaging for Shelley Neill's new album, Irish Eyes Gypsy Soul.

Sales - I'll have new outlet and light switch covers at the MassArt Spring Sale from May 3-8!

I also dropped off a slew of new covers at Magpie a few weeks ago. There were also a ton of new items in there when I visited! Some of my favorites were tiny coppery belt bracelets from Erica Weiner and delicate feather printed notebooks/journals from The Paper Apartment. There were also a ton of super cute letterpressed birthday and note cards that I couldn't stop flipping through too.

HOLIDAY HANDJOBS THIS FRIDAY, DEC. 18!

2009-12-14T17:45:00.006-05:00

It's a dirty/queer/horny/something craft fair performance sexcapade with a bar! And yes, I'll be selling at it...my light switch covers...thank you. Or more specifically "horny shit made by horny people for other horny people to come buy while seeing horny performers and drinking horny beers" (from their website).

So... you should go! I'll be debuting more naughty light switch and outlet covers and possibly making crass and dirty remarks throughout the evening (actually very likely). Please come visit! It's the best way to get gifts to offend/entertain everyone on your list!

Friday, Dec. 18, 7-11PM!
Dilboy VFW in Davis Square (Red line to Davis)
371 Summer Street, Somerville

MassArt Holiday Sale: Dec. 7-12

2009-11-29T19:00:00.002-05:00

Electrical Outfits will be on sale at MassArt's annual Holiday Sale from Monday, December 7-Saturday, December 12. Tons of great stuff (paintings, jewelry, sculpture, holiday items, apparel, and more) from MassArt students and alumni with a significant portion of the proceeds going toward student scholarships! Sale is open each day from 10am-7pm.

Mass Market 5! Dec. 13!

2009-11-24T12:56:00.005-05:00

Hope to see you at the 5th Mass Market in MassArt's Gym on Sunday, Dec. 13! I'll be selling my Electrical Outfits and I'm making more naughty ones than ever this year!

There are over 60 vendors at this year's market, so you can put a serious dent in your holiday shopping. Are you also selling at this year's Mass Market? Well my friend, I am happy to organize trades! Just let me know. Remember to bring your cashola too as most vendors only take the green stuff. And by green stuff I mean cash money, and not pickles.

December 13 from 11-5! MassArt's Gym! Whoo!

Studio Progress

2009-10-15T13:51:00.003-04:00

The studio is finally starting to feel like a space where I can get some work done!

This apartment needed so much work before it was livable (we painted nearly all of the walls, installed shelves in several closets, replaced all outlet and light switch covers since they were all painted to the walls, bought more furniture so the things living in boxes would have homes, and there's still more left to do.) I guess when you combine 2 households and a new space with fewer rooms and storage spaces than the previous houses, you're bound to feel the strain.

It has been beneficial because I've had to toss a lot of items that I truly didn't need-which prevents me from reaching hoarder status in the next few years. But it's also been a bit tricky. My previous living room was twice the size of this one, which means my beloved end tables are in the basement for now. I'm not sure if I'll find a place for them, but I'm holding out until we have each room totally set up. Then they might hit Craigslist. : (

It's definitely worth it though for a ginormous studio/office to share with CJ! We're almost totally set up...so close!

Bedroom Accent Wall

2009-10-15T12:51:00.009-04:00

Please excuse the unmade bed-I'm home sick (coughing death rattle, migraine, nausea and more!) and thought this would be a good time to update with the progress of the bedroom accent wall. CJ was in China while I worked on it so it was a total surprise when he got back.

It's a design based on Cinnamon Ferns which we've seen in bogs throughout New England. I really like the shape of the little fertile fronds with spores and wanted to simplify their shape even further for our wall. It's not completely finished as I still want to shrink the size of the tallest fern and round out the leaves a bit more. But this will give you an idea of what I've been working on! The other rooms in the new place also all needed new coats of paint (as well as doors, moulding, the ceiling in some rooms, etc.), so it's been a very slooooow move-in. I love the new place though and I'm really excited to completely settle in. I'm almost out of boxes to unpack.

There is a headboard in our future too, so super-finished wall and bedroom photo coming soon!

Pack it up, pack it in!

2009-08-24T17:25:00.009-04:00

Zero blog activity lately due to packing up all of my worldly possessions (studio included) and slowly moving to Somerville. I'm nearly finished though! Looking forward to increased productivity, less commuting hours, painting the apartment (we're talking color, people...avocado! marina blue! whoo!), living with the boy (and dog), and a much-needed change of scenery.

I am going to miss JP. It was mostly kind to me over the past 4 years (armed robbery attempt...I'm talking to you here). Thanks Boston proper for the past 6 years, but I'm crossing the river now. (And my grandma is very happy...Somerville is way closer to her dinner table and to her cannoli.)

Gotta go pack more stuff. Anyone interested in silkscreening mesh or mylar? I will likely not get around to using these anytime soon. (Not a hoarder, not a hoarder!)
xoxo

2009-07-31T09:44:00.002-04:00

I'll have a table at this Saturday's Rock and Roll Yard Sale in Union Square, Somerville. Drop by from 3-7 for light switch covers, vintage jewelry, records and much much more!

Mansion Show II: Return to the Mansion Show

2009-06-04T22:48:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow night is the opening at the Beebe Estate in Melrose of the Mansion Show II: Return to the Mansion Show! I have five paintings in this show along with artwork from some super-talented illustrators, sculptors, painters, photographers, and more. I'm very excited and hope you'll be able to make it!

Gallery opening is 7-9pm at the Beebe Estate, 235 West Foster Street, Melrose, MA. It's also accessible by the commuter rail too! It's a short walk from the Wyoming Hill stop on the Haverhill line.

Please come say hi (and check out my new little animal friends on birch bark), eat some food, drink some beer/wine, and enjoy the fine (and charmingly absurd) company of the artists of the Mansion Show!

Surtex. National Stationery Show, ICFF

2009-05-19T01:01:00.002-04:00

Just got back from New York where I had the chance to attend Surtex, the National Stationery Show, and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. It was great! I met so many great artists and saw some incredible design work too. Check out the following stationery exhibitors for some sweet stuff: Albertine Press, Sub-Studio (designs pictured left), Small Square Design, Two Trick Pony, and more to follow soon!

Man, I wish I could do some letterpress work!

What I've been working on...

2009-04-04T03:06:00.004-04:00

Dogs, patterns, and proposals. Also, work for a show in June--mostly moths and snails. I will have to upload some sketches soon. I also saved some snails from certain death tonight: a well-traveled sidewalk.

Just another link to the Globe bit

2009-04-04T02:09:00.004-04:00

Check out the full Boston.com article here

More Light Switch Covers Available on Etsy!

2009-01-30T00:56:00.004-05:00

I just updated my Etsy shop with new light switch and outlet covers. More on the way soon...I just have to sit them down to have their pictures taken.

Electrical Outfits in a Globe blurb!

2009-01-16T00:35:00.004-05:00

Check it out!
Accessories to spruce up your home!

Thanks Christoper Muther and Magpie! Whoo!

Edit: I guess this online blurb was part of an article in the Globe's g section on Thursday 1/15/09 about sprucing up your home on the cheap. In the printed version, there's a wee photo of my Spam light switch cover. Pretty sweet!

Holiday Cards

2008-12-20T13:42:00.005-05:00

I thought it'd be cute for my loved ones to get personalized cards this year. I drew directly onto the cards (I only sent out about 20...I would have gotten them printed if I had millions to send.) Just pen and ink and some colored pencil. I also got a little crazy on some of the envelopes too. Meh, tis the season!

Deck the halls with Javelinas...

2008-12-19T12:30:00.004-05:00

CJ wanted a javelina. CJ got a javelina...painted on birch bark.

I'm pleased with this little guy. I think he's sassy in an Eeyore kinda way.

Mass Market This Sunday! Whoo!

2008-12-09T15:52:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know I'll be selling my Electrical Outfits at the Mass Market on Sunday, from 12-6!

I'm sharing a table with Katie from Little Flower Boston .

Admission is only a buck! Tons of swell vendors! Holiday shopping made easy! Supporting local artists/crafters! Holy crap, you're going yes? Hope to see you there!

xoxo

More Dr. Sketchy's

2008-11-14T13:04:00.002-05:00

This is one from September. I've fallen behind with updates. Whoops.

Leetle Birds on Birch Bark

2008-10-29T17:38:00.003-04:00

While I was in Maine this summer I collected some birch bark (from fallen limbs only and from my uncle's land), took it home and flattened it under some heavy books, (Thanks go out to Amy Sedaris's I Like You, The Complete Book of Sewing, Treasury of Literature for Children, etc.) then took a month or so to figure out what to paint on it.

New England birds on tree bark won. The texture of the bark was great for painting. Lots of little ridges and color variations. I have more bark left over so I might add some squirrels or maybe some Colorado birds soon.

Here's the whole Flickr set

Dr. Sketchy's August

2008-08-12T02:40:00.002-04:00

SO this month's Dr. Sketchy's was rather amazing. They were filming for the Dr. Sketchy's documentary, and Johnny Blazes and M. Hanora modeled. There was definitely a speculum on stage at one point.

Acadia Mountain - Sketchbook

2008-08-06T02:19:00.003-04:00

CJ was making a picture, so I drew this cute little conifer. Also, there was a very happy bird swooping and chirping with every dive. He was clearly having the time of his life.

Shoot.

2008-08-06T00:53:00.002-04:00

Great Boston Burlesque Expo this weekend!

2008-03-17T16:51:00.002-04:00

Check it out!

http://www.burlesque-expo.com/

Volunteers are still needed...so check out the volunteer section and apply if you're interested!

There's a tiki pool party on Friday...

Courtesy of Broderick Gumpright

2008-02-27T03:17:00.003-05:00

So while listening to "Part-time Lover" at the Milky Way last night, Bro came up with the idea to make a shirt with a skateboard and the phrase "Part-time Boyfriend". I was entirely too anxious to make this happen.

Bike version coming soon. (It's funny 'cause it's true.)

Electrical Outfits now on Etsy!

2008-01-15T23:30:00.002-05:00

Check out my Etsy store!

I'm now selling my light switch covers and outlet covers online. Whooo. Hopefully I'll have some illustration prints up soon too.

Yay internet.

Please check out the shop!

Thaaaanks.

Updates, updates, updates

2007-11-19T22:30:00.000-05:00

Andrea is at work on my new website. I am extremely excited about that.

I'm revamping the packaging for my Electrical Outfits. This is a drawing I did for it. Might end up reincarnated on the website. The light switch covers will be available at the MassArt Holiday Sale: December 3-8 at MassArt in the lobby of the Tower Building.

Jeanna and I went to the Brickbottom Open Studios yesterday. We called it a good "kick in the ass day".
Hopefully we'll be hyper-productive now. We saw a lot of really cool work and talked to a lot of ridiculously nice people. Their patience and generosity with their time was definitely appreciated.

Things I want to make right this instant:
Hand-made books
Little paper pop-up illustrations
Illustration of the dress-wedgie on the T lady

Let's see how much I can accomplish...

I made some sammiches

2007-10-11T22:32:00.000-04:00

Finished this project before I took off for Europe. Had fun doing it...but man oh man...I'm sick of lunchmeat.

Current Freelance Project

2007-09-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

It's subtastic.

Swiss Sketchbook

2007-09-15T10:52:00.000-04:00

I painted this cover for the sketchbook I'm taking to Switzerland.
I guess since I'll be in Geneva, the "la la la" could be considered French, no?

I drew a songbird on this cover over a year ago, then misplaced the sketchbook and didn't do much work in it at all. After rediscovering it, I painted over the cover and outlined the songbird again. The ink bled through the paint a little, but I actually really liked the way it looked.

Belts...belts...belts

2007-09-04T23:25:00.000-04:00

Work in progress. No plans for the background yet. I'll figure it out. But hey, who doesn't love a plaid belt?

Cherry Bomb

2007-08-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

This is the latest painting that I've completed. I got a few World War II Navy books from a booksale here in JP recently.
I hope to have more Navy-inspired images completed soon.

I'm really not sure if I like the paintings together or not. Thoughts?

Primer Impacto

2007-08-25T15:16:00.000-04:00

Bienvenidos...

I'll have some new work and sketches up soon.