There was a time, as recently as the 1980s, when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape. Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade. In 2010 filmmakers Faythe Levine, coauthor of Handmade Nation, and Sam Macon began documenting these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States. With a foreword by legendary artist (and former sign painter) Ed Ruscha, this vibrant book profiles sign painters young and old, from the new vanguard working solo to collaborative shops such as San Francisco s New Bohemia Signs and New York s Colossal Media s Sky High Murals.

Contains over 400 masterpieces of Western painting from the very beginnings of art to the present day. The book includes nearly 200 close-ups to allow the reader to gain knowledge of each work and artist and Sister Wendy Beckett shares her love of painting.

Illustrated lettering is one of the most recognisable trends in design, but how do you take your work in this area to new levels and make your projects stand out from the crowd? Illustrator, designer and educator Marty Blake takes you through the craft of creative lettering: what you need to know about working with various media and how to incorporate image and text successfully. Each chapter focuses on one technique, covering its history, the tools and techniques needed to achieve it, along with examples from designers and illustrators from around the world – all with critical reflection on what works, and why. Whether you're lettering by hand or digitally, Drawn to Type is perfect for use alongside courses in illustration and typography, and as an inspirational guide for designers looking to give the written word that visual impact.

Comprehensive step-by-step introduction for complete beginners Teaches how to master the basics of watercolors, acrylics, and oils. Readers learn to paint landscapes, still life, people, flowers, animals, and buildings 38 step-by-step projects each illustrate a different painting technique Beginners can quickly achieve immediate and impressive results More than 350 color photographs Practical information on materials and equipment Galleries of professional work inspire creativity

Learn a straightforward method for using astrological terms to interpret the correspondences of the planets, zodiac signs, cardinal axes, houses, and aspects. Astrology is the language of the cosmos. For anyone interested in “reading”—that is, interpreting—a birth chart, understanding the language is key. As in any language, there are rules and patterns to follow. Authors Hajo Banzhaf and Anna Haebler take the mystery and confusion out of astrological interpretation. The authors begin with a concise breakdown of the horoscope, presenting the reader with a solid but easy-to-grasp foundation on what reading a chart entails. They cleverly compare the horoscope to a play with the planets as actors, the signs as their roles, the houses as stages of life, and the aspects as how the players interact with one another. Keywords for Astrology is more than just a simple reference list of astrological terms. It explains all the essential configurations in a horoscope, offering a remarkably straightforward method for using keywords to interpret the correspondences of the planets, zodiac signs, cardinal axes, houses, and aspects. It weaves together the relationships between each of these elements and then expands on them by highlighting harmonious and discordant qualities. The interpretations readily apply to natal placement as well as transiting influence. This approach allows new perspectives and insights to emerge in your interpretations. Banzhaf and Haebler combine their vast knowledge with humor and compassion, making this book a pleasure to read, and a must-have reference for your astrological library. First published by Weiser Books in 1996, this new edition includes a foreword by Theresa Reed, author of Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners.

"Archaeologist Genevieve von Petzinger looks past the horses, bison, ibex, and faceless humans in the ancient paintings and instead focuses on the abstract geometric images that accompany them. She offers her research on the terse symbols that appear more often than any other kinds of figures--signs that have never really been studied or explained until now"--

An absolute must-have guide for beginners, this is an interactive workbook designed to teach you how to create gorgeous lettering with any pen on any surface, no brush pen or calligraphy nib necessary! You’ll learn how to draw letters, words, inspirational phrases, and bible verses in multiple alphabet styles by practicing outlining letters and thickening downstrokes. Perforated traceable phrases and backgrounds allow you to make your own art, pull it out, then frame it. Simple, approachable, and fun, this method is versatile for any surface so you can create stunning faux calligraphy on paper, chalkboards, wood, glass, and more!

Discusses the elements of a sign, and looks at pictograms, alphabets, calligraphy, monograms, text type, numerical signs, symbols, and trademarks.

This book explores the stigma of addiction and discusses ways to improve negative attitudes for better health outcomes. Written by experts in the field of addiction, the text takes a reader-friendly approach to the essentials of addiction stigma across settings and demographics. The authors reveal the challenges patients face in the spaces that should be the safest, including the home, the workplace, the justice system, and even the clinical community. The text aims to deliver tools to professionals who work with individuals with substance use disorders and lay persons seeking to combat stigma and promote recovery. The Stigma of Addiction is an excellent resource for psychiatrists, addiction medicine specialists, students across specialties, researchers, public health officials, and individuals with substance use disorders and their families.