Signs Never Sleep

Painted Mural for Faribault, Minnesota by Brushwork Signs

Painted Mural for Faribault, Minnesota by Brushwork Signs

Ghost Sign revealed during building demolition

"The Parkside Uniform building, 5502 N. Second St., was demolished in March. A Squirt advertisement is painted on the adjacent building. Nearby business owners say they think the advertisement dates to the 1950s. Bob Champion, owner of the building, said he has to re-side the building but hopes someone will be interested in preserving the advertisement."   Link

Signs painted directly to the sides of buildings in this day-in-age are rare, and when these "ghost signs" are discovered (usually by accident) they instantly become both admired and threatened with quick destruction.

My money (unfortunately) is on this sign having been destroyed a week after its discovery.

Mike Meyers Signs: Making Signs in Mazeppa

Mike Meyer runs a small shop dedicated to quality workmanship doing something that satisfies both himself and his customers.  At Mike Meyer Signs, he works the old way using hand drawing to achieve a personal look, however, he will use the latest in computer applications when it is called for.  Mike's been in this business since 1978, long enough to know his strengths and weaknesses and appreciates when his clients know that about him.  Mike knows that it is his job to effectively convey each businesses' message through his signage. 

He runs his business in, Mazeppa, Minnesota, a town of 700+ where his grandfather ran a feed mill and gas station and his father ran a barber shop.  Mike Meyer Signs is operated out of an old grocery store, which Mike likes the "old feel" of.  His basic philosophy is "Do what you love, love what you do!", which is a fantastic idea and one which we personally pass on to our children.

Mike Meyer Signs creates logos, farm signage, carved signs, antique signs, as well as hand-painted town murals.  He is actively involved in "The Walldogs".  Here's just a bit of the fantastic work Mike does, but go onto his website to see lots more including logos.  Link

~ contributed by Christine Baker

 

The Walldogs are hand-painting murals Pontiac Illinois June 25th - 28th: Part 4

Interurban Streetcar - Rob Estes

Here are some of the first designs we were able to see for the murals that will be painted on the sides of buildings in Pontiac Michigan this summer.  The rest of these designs can be seen on the Walldogs Pontiac Blog.

The Walldogs are a group of sign and mural artists from all over the world that cooperatively work to preserve the dying art of hand-painting murals.  This years Walldogs event is being held in Pontiac, Michigan June 25 - June 28th.

~contributed by J.D. Iles

Palace of Sweets - Cam Bortz

Chief Pontiac / Jesse Fell - Judy Grossman

Pontiac Fire Dept - Steve “Conman” Connor

Chautauqua - David & Susie Butler/Dan Sawatzky

Allen Candy Co. - Jay Allen

The Walldogs are hand-painting murals Pontiac Illinois June 25th - 28th: Part 3

Rodino Square - Dale Manor

Here are some of the first designs we were able to see for the murals that will be painted on the sides of buildings in Pontiac Michigan this summer.  The rest of these designs can be seen on the Walldogs Pontiac Blog.

The Walldogs are a group of sign and mural artists from all over the world that cooperatively work to preserve the dying art of hand-painting murals.  This years Walldogs event is being held in Pontiac, Illinois June 25 - June 28th.

~contributed by J.D. Iles

Hometown News - Nancy Bennett

 

The Humiston Heritage - Gary Anderson

 

Vermilion River - FranCisco Vargas

The Walldogs are hand-painting murals Pontiac Illinois June 25th - 28th: Part 2

Visit Pontiac Illinois on Rt 66 - Tom & Kathy Durham

Here are some of the first designs we were able to see for the murals that will be painted on the sides of buildings in Pontiac Illinois this summer.  The rest of these designs can be seen on the Walldogs Pontiac Blog.

The Walldogs are a group of sign and mural artists from all over the world that cooperatively work to preserve the dying art of hand-painting murals.  This years Walldogs event is being held in Pontiac, Illinois June 25 - June 28th.

~contributed by J.D. Iles

RCA Victor - Triple Bernie

Coca-Cola - Sonny Franks

Scatterday’s - Carole Bersin

A sneak peek at the murals that will be painted in Pontiac, Illinois this summer by the Walldogs

A Tradition of Farming in Livingston County - Michael Clark

Here are some of the first designs we were able to see for the murals that will be painted on the sides of buildings in Pontiac, Illinois this summer.  The rest of these designs can be seen on the Walldogs Pontiac Blog.

The Walldogs are a group of sign and mural artists from all over the world that cooperatively work to preserve the dying art of hand-painting murals.  This years Walldogs event is being held in Pontiac, Michigan June 25 - June 28th.

~contributed by J.D. Iles

Abe Lincoln/Strevell House - Mike Meyer & Adam May

Pontiac Walldogs' News and Events Blog: pontiacwalldogs.wordpress.com

"Walldogs are a group of sign & mural artists from all over the globe. The tradition of painting wall advertisements date back long before today. Evidence of this can be seen as “Ghost Signs” throughout cities of all sizes. These mural painters of old were often called Walldogs. Along with the title of Walldog, today’s mural artists have also adopted many other traditions that show in their work, from the colors they use to the design styles they practice, these murals capture that sense of nostalgia and historic significance.

The Walldog movement began in Allerton, Iowa on the summer of 1993 hosted by Nancy Bennett. That meet was the first official Walldog meet. Dozens of sign artist or “Letterheads” arrived in Allerton to paint several large historic wall advertisements. Since then the Walldog Movement has continued to grow."   Link

Link to the Official Walldogs' Website

Walldog Event Scheduled for Summer 2009: Pontiac, Illinois

Pontiac Illinois will be host to the 2009 Walldog event “Chief City Runs with the Dogs”.  The event will take place from the 25th to 28th of June 2009. 

Individuals interested in participating should contact Ben Diaz at ben@diazsignart.com or call Diaz Sign Art at (815) 844-7024.  There is no cost for this meet, however participants must register prior to the event for lodging and food.  Artists will be lodged in local homes at no additional cost. 

For more information about this meet and the Walldog movement visit our website at www.thewalldogs.com. 

Walldogs are a group of sign & mural artists from all over the globe.  The modern Walldog movement began in Allerton, Iowa in the summer of 1993.  A Walldog's goal is to help improve a town's appearance by designing and painting old fashioned advertisements and murals that are unique to each town, and to expand mural painting skills to the next generation of muralists. 

Contact:
Ben Diaz
ben@diazsignart.com
628 W Lincoln Ave.
Pontiac,
Illinois
Ph: (815) 844-7024