version 2

Sometimes I have to let something sit for a day or so and then look at it with fresh eyes. This potential sign for "Changes Hair Studio" was no different.  Looking at it this morning, I decided to change several things. I moved the scissors so that they'll point toward the building. I also made the name and banner bigger, and generally reduced the overall "open space".  I think it flows better and is an improvement from the initial version.  Now we'll see what the owner thinks!

Quoting, sketching and dreaming...

My recent sign for "The Gerber's Daisy" has brought several new opportunities.  One is for a nearby Hair Studio. There is an existing pole and frame for the sign, which the owner would like to re-use.  It will be 2-sided and she'd like it to have some dimension.  She has an existing lettering style for her name, so I've worked that into the sketch.
One thing that's difficult to express in the sketches is the paint colors...because I like to use the metallic colors and glazes.  I try to give an approximation, knowing that the actual color will take it several levels beyond the sketch.
I won't go too much further until we can decided if I'm anywhere close to what she was hoping to see.  Changes and tweaks are likely and fine.  I wanted the scissors to be something special for this...not the run of the mill scissors you so often see on other salon signs.  This would be a blast to carve and sculpt!

Site update in progress...

This weekend I'm rolling out the updated version of my website, including the new name.
I have it posted now but will be tweaking it for a couple days...reducing file sizes and generally changing things that aren't working.  I own www.fantasticcreations.co and am working on obtaining the .com version.  The www.haffnersigns.com address will continue to work as well.  It's exciting!
I have added many of the projects I've showcased here, and I've built the new site to more easily update images as I add new projects.  Take a look! If you see any problems, I welcome your input.

The daisies are up!

Sometimes there are little bumps in the road...such as getting the completed sign for The Gerber's Daisy up.  I've learned that I need to keep much more Magic Sculpt on hand, and that sometimes a bucket truck is the only way to go.
This morning I attempted to put up the sign with a friend who offered to use a small bucket tractor with a cage, but we realized that the tractor was simply too wide to get onto the sidewalk.  Additionally, the sidewalk is high enough that the tractor couldn't ride up over the curbs several "steps".  By this afternoon a bucket truck was lined up and we were ready to go!
It was an easy job to reattach the bracket with the extension needed to get past some fascia on the building and I was quickly on my way to hanging the sign when I realized I'd managed to hang the bracket upside down.  It was an easy fix, and the bucket truck operator laughed as I told him I should get a "rookie sign guy" award.  Thankfully there were no other problems, and the sign was soon in place.
The owner wasn't in, but her employee quickly came out to look and take pictures.  Once I was down from the bucket, I took some pictures as well.  It was exciting to see this one go up and people on the sidewalk stopped to tell me how much they liked it.
The daisies are hand sculpted with Magic Sculpt on both sides,  and I've hung it in such a way as to keep it from slamming into the wall (a problem the previous sign had). I drove by to see how it looked from both directions, and I'm pleased.
Even with a cold, gray sky, I think it stands out. I can't wait to get some shots of it once we get a little sunshine...

Mural mural on the wall...

The last mural for my daughter's "theme room" is the crest for Gryffindor.
We decided on a red wall as a background, and I used the projector to transfer the design
of the crest.  I layed down base coats (it takes a few to cover that red!) and started blocking in color.

Every painter seems to have a preferred way to build up paint, and I've been experimenting with many of them.  It's exciting to see what different results come from different techniques. 

I knew from the beginning that I'd be using some metallic colors to make this one "pop" and it took a few coats for the lion.  I saved the outline and "dark" color for last.  This allowed me to quickly paint the colors at first, saving detail work for the end. 

My daughter should be home in a little while and I think she'll be pleased.  Completing this wall means it's time to clean up the paint and tools and to finish cleaning so that we can move the furniture into the room and call it done.  I'm not sure we'll see her for a few days once it's complete.