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Just wanted to share with you how two skilled Italian artisans hand painted the name on the boat. Pretty steady hands - I'm impressed!

It's a lost art. There used to be hundreds of people who painted names on commercial real estate door windows. Now it's all laser cut vinyl.....

I know - a bit sad. But if I could put Sam Spade on my door, I would live well with vinyl...

I would expect nothing less from an Italian Craftsman.

Hey Mike hate to tell you this but a lot of that Door lettering was done with stencils. Free hand is a true lost art same with stone work.

A good friend of mine, "Tank" is a sign painter. He does it by hand. Over the last 10 years he has been part of a huge revival of pin striping and hand painted signs. He would tell you that 15 years ago he had to leave his love and start working for Ford with me. ( where we met ) Now he would tell you he can name his price and has people lined up for days to do old school hand flames, shop signs, and any type of special design you can think of. So there is that going for the craft. I have tried to learn from him, but it is just an art like has been said. you can't teach it.... you just do it and have the gift. He is passionately waiting to do my 28. He knows I am naming it after my grandfather, calling her "The Don" and we are going to do a mafia/casino mural on the back.

As a kid I admired the guy who painted and gold leafed the names on the back of my dad's boats.

Now they can wrap a whole car in vinyl and make it look like paint.

A lot of artistry has been lost especially here in the states.

becoming a lost art
even with the fire trucks and the gold leaf

Bruce wrote:A lot of artistry has been lost especially here in the states.

Not in all areas Bruce. Particularly for industrial production items, construction and machinery it often strikes me how US-made stuff has a flair of pride in the build. Where others use a flimsy piece of plate with sharp edges, US items typically has hefty build, round edges and polished surface. I think that's applied artistry.

There is a woman in Forked. River who can still do signs by hand. But even she will try and convince you to go vinyl. Just easier for them.