Sharon Manhart

In this Season 2 bonus episode, I talk with Jess Marsh Wissemann of Hired Hand Signs in Turner Falls, Massachusetts. Jess was kind enough to come to Best Dressed HQ and speak with me in person about her unique path to sign painting, her work designing corn mazes, and her upcoming events on her family’s farm in Western Massachusetts. Jess’ story is truly exceptional and her ambition is unmatched in this field. Listen on to hear all about her trajectory from farm hand to social media manager to sign painting mogul! Here is Jess Marsh Wissemann of Hired Hand Signs.Recorded at Flying Cloud Studios, Framingham, MA. Sound engineer Josh LukeEdited by Meredith Kasabian

In this episode, I speak with former sign painter and current book designer, Remy Chwae. Remy is graduate of the sign graphics program at LA Trade Tech and has a BA in political science from Columbia University. In this episode we discuss her experiences working as a sign painter in Los Angeles and her transition to designing books in New York City. Just a quick content warning, his episode does discuss instances of sexual harassment.

Today I’m talking to Tricia O’Neill (@triciao_photos_signs). Tricia is the owner of Signs Unique in Gloucester, Massachusetts and she is also a photographer. She is a graduate of the sign program at the erstwhile Butera School of Art and later earned a BA in photography from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We talk about Tricia’s differing experiences at these two institutions, about her work for the Boston Red Sox at the historic Fenway Park, and about her experiences with community in the sign painting world, among other things (like her dad starring in a punk rock music video!)

Liane Barker is a sign painter and world traveling workshop leader with more than 40 years experience in the field of sign painting. Her sign business, Barker Signs, operates out of Brisbane, Australia and her worldwide workshops are available on her Mastering the Art of Sign Writing Instagram page. In Part 1 of this two part podcast, Liane and I talk about her rise from apprentice to her sign painting father to owning her own business in the 1980s and the benefits and challenges that come with being a self employed woman sign painter.

In Part 2 of my talk with Liane Barker (@barker_signs) we start off discussing the unique (and envied!) relationship between Liane and her daughter, Kate and follow the story arc of Liane’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes of financial decline to the glory of her newfound love of leading sign painting workshops all around the world. Liane is so inspiring and fun to talk to! I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did recording it. Here is Part Two with Liane Barker.

Shelby Rodeffer, known on Instagram as @smellby, is an artist, illustrator, sign painter, and co-founder Finer Signs and the Pre-Vinylettes. In this episode we talk about her emergence as an artist in 1990s Nashville, the challenges of cobbling together a sign painting education, and her community-oriented approach to art and life. We also touch on our experience co-hosting the 2017 Pre-Vinylettes exhibition in Chicago together. Shelby is an absolute delight and I know you will  enjoy this episode!

In this episode, I speak with Rachel Millar, a sign painter from Glasgow, Scotland, who runs Bungo Sign Co. with her partner, Hana Lindsay. We talk about Rachel’s emergence as a sign painter and co-founder of the Burds of the Brush, a women- and nonbinary-focused collective and event series. We discuss the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces for marginalized groups in the sign painting community, the challenges faced by women in the trade, and how these gatherings foster connection, confidence, and skill-sharing.

Juli Hirasawa (@thesignpantry) is an aspiring sign painter currently finishing her first year in the Sign Graphics program at LA Trade Tech. In this episode, we talk about her decision to make a major career change while enduring a pretty scary health diagnosis and the new lease on life that she’s enjoying as a result. Juli also co-hosts a sign painting podcast called Sign Painters Club with a fellow LA Trade Tech student where they document their experiences and inspirations. It was really nice speaking with someone so new to the field of sign painting and with so much enthusiasm for her new path. Enjoy this episode with Juli Hirasawa!

Sharon Manhart is a sign painter in Omaha, Nebraska who runs Arbor Street Studios. Sharon is also the administrator of the Pre-Vinylettes Facebook Group, which is an invaluable resource for its more than 300 members. The conversation touches on the balance of managing a creative business with personal life, including working closely with her husband (I can relate!) and finding fulfillment in both art and community engagement.

In the final episode of Season 2, I speak with Veronika Jørgensen, aka @veronikaskilte from Copenhagen, Denmark. We talk about what got her interested in sign painting, her involvement in the Burds of the Brush movement, and the importance of safe community spaces for new sign painters. Veronika also discusses her experience as a trans woman in the increasingly dangerous times we’re living in. This episode is a can’t miss!