Over the years as I grew my TeeRific Golf Advertising, I’ve lettered thousands of neon colored window splashes. The regular promotional accounts were great but the winters were brutally cold and working with water color paints was not an ideal situation. Who knew that doodling and sketching in high school would lead me to a “sketchy” career that has spanned over 50 years. Yes, I painted Harold’s Live Bait” sign in 1974. It turned out ok and lasted too long with a coat of Spar Varnish.
Holland Farms Bakery was definitely one of my favorite accounts. Along with great coffee and an apple fritter waiting for me, I always felt creative freedom with the monthly Splashes. I was told my only job was to make passersby look at their window. They utilized their window front to promote monthly promotions. Talk about “driving sales”. For over 30 years I was there on the 1st or 2nd painting every month except December. Former owner, Marolyn Wilson loved to decorate the windows for the Holidays. Remember February is JELLY BUN MONTH!
Along the way I added cut and large format vinyl graphics. Once I did my TeeRific Golf Advertising took a huge leap forward. I could now create signs for my benches and tee signs quickly without waiting for the paint to dry. Word spread between business owners and sign and truck lettering became a large part of my work. After all, every business needs a rolling billboard. I view every sign job as a solution to a problem. My job was make the sign readable, solve the problem and do it within their budget when possible.
Along with window Splashes, I hand lettered an occasional billboard.
Monthly I painted Chanatry’s Grocery Splashes complete with cartoons I made on their windows and when asked to make a foam carving for their meat case wall - I did. I thank all my past customers for trusting me and allowing me to be creative with their projects.
Painting for customers is one thing, but when your daughters want their bedroom wall painted… I got this.
When Woodstock ‘99 landed in Rome, NY, Michael Lang, after hearing my name a few times from different people reached out to me about painting the wall around Woodstock ‘99. I didn’t paint that, but he asked me to design and coordinate the fabrication and delivery of every sign made. At 39 I wanted to do the big show once and that was enough. Being home with my family seemed more important than chasing business goals. Woodstock ‘99 reaffirmed that. While it was fun and sometimes exciting to me, it was just my job.