Thrift store paintings continue!

I purchased a framed painting (actually a print) a few weeks ago at Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, St Anthony, MN) by the artist Tan Chun C. I added a rubber duck to the piece and then returned it to the same thrift store on October 11, 2021. I went with a Pilgrim rubber duck because… well, it seemed to fit well with the color scheme. Images below highlight the process.

Thanks to the artist Tan Chun C, wherever you are, for collaborating with me on this project!

Sign painting on cover of MPLS/St Paul Magazine!

Nice to see Sign painter @DustySigns on the April cover of MPLS - St Paul Magazine. Any promotion to help the raise awareness to the craft is a good thing… A rising tide lifts all boats!

Ch ch ch ch changes

I recently moved to a new city so I spent the last couple of weeks trying to get acclimated to the new environment.

So what happened in Brooklyn, NY?
Raising a family in NYC is no joke, and adding Covid-19 to the mix was just making the whole situation intolerable. Honestly, the pandemic has made a lot of people reevaluate their living situations and I guess I fall into that same category. After spending 16 years in NY I came to the conclusion that finding that elusive level of ‘success’ I wanted (a personal definition for sure) was just not going to happen. It’s a puzzle I can’t solve. NYC was starting to feel like one of those hamster wheels.

So where do I live now?
Minneapolis, MN!
My wife grew up in that area so she has a lot of friends and family there. It seems nice, quiet. Perhaps a change of scenery is a good idea?

So studio is now getting set up in the basement. I hope to accomplish a great many things here… opportunities abound!

Sculpting and scenic painting for new Aritzia Super Puff Pop Up in SOHO, NYC

New work up at Aritzia’s Super Puff Pop Up in connection with the Brooklyn fabrication studio, New Project.
Located at 560 Broadway, (corner of Broadway and Prince St, NYC)

I had the opportunity to sculpt and paint the mountain diorama located within the boutique store. Below are some pictures showing the process in creating the work. I believe the whole project took about 4 weeks to complete. ”Aritzia is an innovative design house and fashion boutique. We conceive, create, develop, and retail fashion brands with a depth of design and quality that provides compelling value. We pride ourselves on creating immersive, human, and highly personal shopping experiences, both in our boutiques and on our website - with a focus on delivering Everyday Luxury”

Forbes - You Can Do More Than Shop At Aritzia’s Pop-Ups Thanks To Drake And Jay Z’s Grammy-Winning Designer

Sheets of insolation foam were adhered together and attached to an elevated platform. The rock shapes were sculpted using a reciprocating saw and a kitchen knife.

Once the shapes were established, we painted a joint compound mix over the entire surface to fill in gaps and give the rocks more definition.

Color is added. Shadows and highlights help to create definition. (I would sprinkle snow on top occasionally so that I could see how the work was developing)

A completed boulder…

Snow and branches are added last, the final touch!

The completed project after install.

My daughter checking out the massive yeti at the end of the diorama.

New mural painting at Hydra Studios in NYC (Opening Soon!)

New mural paintings up at Hydra Studios in connection with PB Paints and KCC Design and Build. Located at 120 Wall Street in NYC, “Hydra Studios is a modern approach to wellness, helping you restore what daily life takes out. Optimize your body, health, and mind by reserving private rooms for mental and physical wellness.”

The design for each mural was provided by the client. You can’t see it in these photos but each color has a stippled surface to give it a more vibrant effect.

Sign painting for local speakeasy Tooker Alley (Brooklyn, NY)

Outside seating for NYC restaurants became permanent in September 2020, offering a mix of sidewalk seating and seats along streets closed off to vehicular traffic. Tooker Alley, located at 793 Washington Ave in Brooklyn, NY, recently extended its seating into its neighbors sidewalk area. So I was hired to expand the sign painting I did over the summer.

The idea and design was based off of Tooker Alley’s store signage… which I painted back in 2014. But admittedly the barrier does have a Beetlejuice sort of vibe to it. What can I say? For a stylish bar, black and white seems to be the way to go in my opinion. (coincidently, it strangely mirrors the sidewalk crossing and street signage) Across the street from the Brooklyn Museum, stop by and check it out… support small business!!

“The spot achieves a rare quality in an era of paint-by-numbers cocktail lounges: The intensely personal Tooker Alley generates a genuine human pulse.” Timeout NY

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Flash back Fridays - Sign painting for Stussy store in Manhattan

When I moved to Brooklyn (2006) one of my first jobs was at Lite Brite Neon. I might have worked there for a month or two… mainly assisting with holiday installs, but they hired me specifically because they needed a sign painter for a job at the Stussy store in SOHO, Manhattan. I believe it was a pop up shop, and for one area I had to paint a list of famous street artists names on a wall. The only one I had ever heard of at that time was Mark Gonzalez, to whom I was a big fan of growing up. I remember wanting his skateboard sooooo much. (Vision skateboards were really popular back then)

But anyway… I’m happy to say that I recognize more of the names now. Including
Wes Humpston
Neckface
123 Klan
Kaws
Gary Panter

The work was up for about a month or two, really quick turn around. And what happened to the signage?
No idea, lost in time..

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Decorate your home with a hand painted sign! (bathroom edition)

I needed to redecorate my bathroom. My wife suggested installing some of my recent signs on the wall and you know what? It works! Mix and match to suit your aesthetics.

Interior decorators… have your people call my people!

New sign painting at the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of wood. 12 x 16”
Inspired by “The Strange World of Your Dreams” by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Hand painted sign on A-frame for the Italian restaurant, Scalino GP, in Brooklyn, NY

New sign painting for Scalino GP, a traditional Italian restaurant (659 Manhattan Ave) located in the quaint Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.

For this particular business, having a hand painted sign fits perfectly well with its aesthetics. The hand painted quality is reminiscent of old New York City and reflects to its customer the restaurants commitment to detail and quality.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New window sign painting for NYC florist, Mitaka NY Flowers

My window sign painting for Mitaka NY Flowers.
“Luxury flower shop located in the heart of the Upper East Side, (1456 3rd Ave, New York, NY) where New York style meets Japanese artwork in a unique fusion. We will create arrangements or bouquets of any size, and can work with you to brighten any kind of events."

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New sign painting up for The Rage Cage (Brooklyn, NY)

New sign painting up for the front entrance of The Rage Cage. Located at 235 Grand Ave in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, NY. “a destruction services provider - also known as a "Rage Room" or an "Anger Room." People come to The Rage Cage to have fun, de-stress, and break things! Whether it be for a stressful week at work, a celebration, or even a first date, you’re always going to have an amazing experience…”

The 235 address hand painted on the window above the door.
Special thanks to the Rage Cage and 1-Shot paints!!

New Sign Painting up in NYC

New sign painting up at the new Hiltzik Strategies office at 99 Madison Ave, NYC.
Thanks to the good folks there for the opportunity.

For more information about sign painting and murals in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New work up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Play it Loud

In connection with New Project, I had the opportunity to help build and paint the stages and cases used to display the instruments for the exhibit ‘Play it Loud’ at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

”The exhibition is co-organized with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and will present approximately 130 instruments alongside posters and costumes. Many of rock's most celebrated and recognized instruments will be featured, representing artists across generations and subgenres. In addition to institutional and private collectors, many musicians are lending their performance and recording instruments.”

Now on display from April 8 - October 1, 2019. 

I was lucky enough to speak to Max Cavalera at the opening reception about his music. (His guitar is included in the collection) A BIG FAN of his work… I had so many questions that I wanted to ask that I can only remember now in retrospect. Haha, hopefully I didn’t make too big of a fool of myself.

Sign painting and the circus arts

Some fun signage on the side of a truck rig from the Hoxie Bros Circus.
“1 Day Only!”