Finding our way out of the BOX

[joe]

One of the dis-advantages of the computer and electronic equipment of all kinds is the difficulty to keep the creative spark alive. It's seldom we see router work having any zest. For the most part it's too mechanical. I struggle with this all the time. To keep my sales up, and separate my work from others I'm always on the lookout.

For example I'm looking at other creative artists work. No matter what field they're in. Even if their making Dolls or carving sticks by hand that's where my eye goes. Each week there's the online mag. "Penterest". It's Loaded with good idea's. We need to get out of our little boxes and see what the creative world has to offer. That way we can breath life into our work.

www.pentrest.com (http://www.pentrest.com)


Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[dana_swift]

Joe- as always you have the most fascinating posts! I have missed seeing your entries for a while, glad to see a fresh one!

Inspiration is the between a painting and a masterpiece. Where people get those inspirations varies, but creativity is something that requires being immersed in. Dabbling in creativity is rarely productive.

The great contributors in history were always searching for ideas, mixing the old ones with fresh ones. Had Jefferson just read a few books and quit, where would we be? Edison could have come up with a single gadget and just been satisfied. And the list is too long.. but all contributors at that level never rested.

And so it is with you- Thanks for sharing a source of that spark!

D

[bob_s]

Joe
I think your link had a typo, it's
http://pinterest.com/

It is an amazing sight. Free and You can use it as a digital scrapbook. Just FYI all of your boards and posts are public. You can create up to 3 "private boards" that you can restrict or share access to with specific clients or friends.

We use it to track current trends in home decorating, etc. and it appears to be incredibly accurate. You will see a new idea show up on Pinterest in numbers, and then 2 months later its "a breakaway idea" of some designer. pretty funny!

[joe]

Thanks Bob,

I'll be posting more sites like these if there is interest. This is one of my favorites. I can always find plenty of fresh idea's over there.

Joe

[Brady Watson]

Joe,
It's very tough to emulate the soul/music of a part when you create something from scratch in a 3D package. It's the human element, along with imperfections like symmetry that is off a little, small variations in depths and even the material that makes the part come to life. I always remind my fellow artisans of 'the builder's curse' - where you know every little thing about the piece you are working on, and exactly where ALL the 'mistakes' are...you know - the ones nobody else ever sees?!! I think THAT is the element, human imperfection, that is missing...You know something is missing from a computer generated piece, but can't quite put your finger on what it is...It's that imperfection that is required to make the piece, perfect...

-B

[gene]

Good job Joe , I was looking for inspiration . very good idea:)

[chiloquinruss]

"along with imperfections " - - - I know a fellow botter that make airplane wings for aerobatic biplanes. He used to make them one at a time, all by hand. When he got his bot he made all the parts for a wing (by hand) and scanned them to produce his bot ready files for cutting out a new wing. The new bot made wing had "imperfections" that matched his originals. Major difference, instead of a wing every 5 or 6 months he now produces a wing in about 4 weeks (but still charges the old hand crafted rate!). I think the imperfections ADD to the look and feel of our work, and "imperfections" are something that I am REALLY GOOD AT! :D Russ

[joe]

When it comes to getting out of the box it takes concentration and work.

This morning I've spend a good hour viewing several weeks of art posted on Pinterest.com. What happens with an excursion like this is, some of it sticks in the back of your mind. You can't help it. And if you keep at it, it will change your way of thinking.

Below, the horse I found on Penterest, comes from Chang Dynasty 680AD. It's better than a perfectly scaled horse by miles. Why? Because it has Soul. In the same way all good art exhibits. So how does this relate to us?

I'd bet you'll notice some interesting textures or color combinations. There might be details which catch your eye. Who knows exactly how it happens but changes will occur. No longer will you be satisfied with a smoothly sanded and glossy varnished panel. A little stain or even a brush a small amount of paint to give depth might be in order. But that's how the imagination helps us grow.

You don't need better equipment of software. You don't need nothing except your eyes. You've got everything you need so go to work and make some mistakes. That's how we grow. Mistakes!

Please look at this horse for a long time and see if it doesn't almost speak to you.

[joe]

I know I'm talking to myself but it makes no difference, to me, if the horses head is way too small, or the neck is distorted out of proportion. And those beady little eye at the top of the head seem to be in just the right place. Not to mention the extended legs.

You know this artist had to be one talented fellow.

Joe

[joe]

All artists need a little kick in the pants every once in a while. Most of us are down right lazy, like me, but when I visit Pinterest weekly all sorts of idea's pop in my mind. Like what I could try out on the next signs.

For some time I've condidered including more graphics in my work. That can be such powerful element and bring life to a panel but where do you find it. Perhaps one rich vein is historical images that come from old magazines. For example, in the past, when BF Goodrich made a sign it would always have a big, fat, black tire on it. That's so simple but effective. Or a wedding company could have a beautiful bride that dominated the whole advertisment. Images like this can be purchased for almost nothing by visiting photo clipart websites. But the point is, we often don't include enough graphic designs along with our fancy letter styles. This can be powerful.

O NO, don't go crazy like every vehicle wrap I've ever seen. Vehicle Warps violate every design law ever written. For the most part they commo the message. They make it almost impossible to tell what company that's spending the big dollars is trying to advertise. It all comes under the topic heading "Too much is nothing at all." 3M loves these people. So with Apple and vinyl printers comes tons of novices who have no background in design. Sure is profitable too.

I'm quiet sure if "Pinterest" were around when I was a kid designer my signs would have been much better. Please, please, please spend some time over there. There are tons of world wide artists showing what they are doing. It's a rare find.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[danhamm]

Your not talking to yourself, I really enjoy your "ramblin" exspression and lines of thought.
I to have a notepad of things Ive seen and want to do...I think I will have to live a long time if ever achieving a portion.

Keep thunkin and postin Joe...

[bleeth]

Yep-just keep musin'

[Brian Harnett]

I don't worry about it I never fit in the box to begin with.

Defining art is a nebulous task of personal impressions, thats part of the human way. some business people look at the almighty dollar as the bottom line, we do have to eat, but I enjoy watching a truly satisfied customer get my product whether sign, furniture or sculpture and that makes it worthwhile.

[joe]

Brian,

As you know, it's a gift. The creative spark that never dies. I'm always on the look out to learn from other artists.

When I'm walking through galleries it's usually a casual stroll but every once in a while there's an artists who's work stops me dead in my tracks. That's fun. It's also inspiring and educational. A town like Santa Fe has lots of galleries. For me that's a vacation that lives on.

Joe Crumley

[joe]

I vote for Plagiarism. Yep there's nothing wrong in following success. Here in the West many of us have been brought up thinking we must come up with all everything ourselves. Hog Wash. For centuries artist spent years in training by learning after the masters. The results were spectacular.

So I suggest finding a style that moves you and copy those techniques. No matter how hard you try, the end results will never be the same as the original. So don't re-invent the wheel.
For example if you have a question on how to make a proper tree, or good looking clouds or a proper anything, follow the leaders.

Let me also say we've have plenty of artists who've cut their teeth on this forum. I remember when Dan Hammerstron started up, back in the dark ages, forming his sign skills. Also we've had lots of guys like Gene Crain, Brian Harnett, Eric Erickson, and a ton more who've made this their life mission. Our hats are off to all those who've led the way. Too many to mention. They've proven it's possible to make a living while following their quest. We seldom give them the praise they deserve. Think over all those folks that have lead the way.

One of my favorite artists is Mike Meyer. I've followed him making signs around the world. He never stops making beautiful signs. He uses every technique known to man.

http://www.mikemeyersigns.com/Main.html
O, by the way, if you want a chuckle. Scroll down to the bottom of his website page to see who's responsible for his website development.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[joe]

While this video is interesting, as you scroll down we get to see some fresh idea's about lettering.

http://abduzeedo.com/typography-mania-187

Joe Crumley

[joe]

Hand drawn Letters

http://abduzeedo.com/hand-drawn-love-letter-alphabet

Joe Crumley

[steve_g]

Thanks for the links Joe...I really enjoy looking at the "fancy" fonts and creative layouts but I have a nagging question that keeps surfacing... Sometimes (too often) I have to look awhile to figure out the message of the sign. In this fast paced society when does a sign maker owe it to his customer to make the message clearer faster? When or where is the distinction between signage and art, or is there one? Is signage that causes me to stop and figure out the message successful because it caused me to spend time with it? I know this is a neophyte question and invite the opinions of all.

The attached image is one that means nothing to me even though I have looked at it several times... Yes, beautiful flowing lines and fantastic shading but no message.

SG

[bleeth]

I know what you mean Steve.
An interesting interpretation of the companies name (whether one likes it or not) but conveys no additional info whatsoever. Now if your are Ford, Dollar Store, Hershey's, Kleenex, etc. you don't have to do anything else at this point but put your name up and everyone knows who you are and what you do, but if not, the sign should convey more specific info that reflects the companies style as well as what they do.
Looks more like a Logo for stationary or biz card than a sign. Is it supposed to be "icustract"? Does that mean "I do custom construction contracting"? or I make custard in large quantities? :confused:

[joe]

Fellows,

I'm not real sure this lettering was made to stand for anything. Either way it's a beautiful piece.

It's obvious most signs need to tell the buying public who and what the business is all about. There are exceptions. One of my well to do clients owns two golf courses and lots of business property for lease. They prefer not to have an address or phone numbers listed anywhere. Not the phone book in particular. His management team is the same way. This is a rare example but my ranches are much like that.

I just finished up a foundry sign, will post photo's later, and their logo is a little hard to understand also. None of their business is local, so that kind of signage is establishment identification only. I often see entrance signs to gated communities and housing additions like that.

As a business person you should be sure your work matches the clients needs. That's one of the creative parts to this business.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[joe]

No I was wrong. That logo is "Ilustract" the name of a logo, type company.