Humble Beginnings

Welcome to my newly remodeled site!
This is the third website I’ve built for my business and I’m excited about it. This site, built on previous experiences, is aimed at being more useful to you. Not only does it better showcase my services and abilities, it is simply easier to use.

This section named ‘Projects’ will be for the thoughts and ramblings distilled from day to day life as a businessman. Topics will run the gambit of all the different skill-sets I manage. Whether I’m talking signs or shirts, wallpaper or wall graphics, software, tools, whatever… I just want it to be of some use in helping you find your way through the maze of getting something done. There are so many different thought processes and criteria to consider when taking on a graphics project, many just resort to gut instinct. Though this can yield some good results, it’s generally just a good starting point. The fine tuning of the idea that goes on from there must be measured out with experience and facts (data). The thought patterns that are employed can be pretty boring to discuss. I’ll try to keep it interesting and useful for you. There is an awful lot that goes through my mind in the course of a day and, though I won’t bore you with all of it, some does seem worth mention.

The top photo is from my first sign job. (First paying one, anyway… seems I remember a “Lemonade” sign from way back.) This one, “Fourth Street Motor Company” was developed for a friend and put on the building with One Shot paint. I still have the drawing where I got his approval and some addition that totals $185.00. This was a pretty small town where we lived. (Farmville, Va.) I dunno whether there was no need or just no thought about having a sign on the building prior to that… I just remember being excited about getting the gig. They had been in business in that building for many years and everyone already knew where they were and the quality of work that they did. The new signs created a local buzz and around town with lot of folks noticing the new sign and an increased traffic for his business and got me more work as well.

That job was the beginning of a steady stream of side work in my life. Before that, I had always had a job and that was it. No extra work or money on the side just the regular job and the off-hours I wasn’t there. This new thing was pretty cool to me. The extra work became a hobby and I looked forward to every new project. What had started in 1979 in two years had turned into a licensed business. Stuff I did in the background as a paying hobby was now paying my bills. I suppose many have gotten into their ‘chosen’ profession this way and I was no exception. The on-the-job training that had taught me so much and spread my wings so far was now a legit, tax entity. Starting with the Hand Painted Signs and film Photography, I found opportunities in wedding and school photography and it was about this time (1991) that the digital world opened up with my first computer purchase. Now, here we go… this is what I needed! Soon Newsletter, Photoshop, and Desktop Publishing projects followed. I managed forays into Audio as well with CD projects for several bands as well as (still ongoing) Video editing projects. The world of Graphics Arts was finally opening up.

Many of you can relate to the ‘wearing of many hats’ and how that can blur the hours, months, & years away… it did just that! Before I knew it, my kids were grown, 30 years of marriage had passed and you wonder where did the time go? Whether you can relate to the perils and pitfalls of small business or not, during my tenure as Chief, Cook, and bottle-washer for ‘Monkie Werks Studios I’ve learned countless tricks & and Techniques for getting things done. All the while blessed with being able to enjoy a low-key approach to all of it. That pretty much brings us up to date.

So… with the changing economy, I’m expanding the site to better reflect the broad spectrum of work I can be hired for. And over the coming months, know that there will be more original art, more current projects, and more ideas with related links to to all it. For instance, some of you Locals know me from the Wallpaper Stripping or Hanging industry… I still do that and there’s a Wallpaper page and Gallery that reflects that arena (More Gallery photos and Service Info is added to this site every week so, check back with me often.) There is also my Pinterest page that has some interesting Ideas for you. There’s color and style Inspiration as well as DIY Tips & Projects. There’s also a link at the top right of this and the other pages.

If you have interest in having a Portrait put on canvas or some custom shirts, get with me via Email or Phone (my numbers’ at the top of every page). I’ll get right back to you about the specifics. Pricing starts at around $45 but each project has many variables so I have to know what you have in mind. Size, ‘depth’ of rendition, colors, etc. can all effect the bottom line. With these assignments, as well as Photo Retouch & Logos/ Graphics, we can easily get it underway online and costs are surprisingly low. (so I’m told.)

Right now, be sure and sign up for the Free Give Away… a custom Portrait on Canvas. Really! I’m gonna trade one Lucky person an Original, Personal, Keepsake Portrait for your Email address…Just fill out one of the contact forms or give me a call. That’s all there is to it.  Just want to offer my Clients a Great Product or Service, just like I always have. And, as I said… Over the coming months as I’ll have more great Items on the site. Lots more examples of my Original Art, more current projects as well as Spotlighting a few more of my Skills.

Sure, the online franchise sign guys have bigger budgets and lots of fancy equipment and would love to put all us local little guys outta business. Most of us are in it for reasons many of them have long left behind. Passion. Love of the Art. So many of them just want your money, never really caring how well the product suits you. Most have enough employees to cookie cut you a sign and get it in the mail before you can tally the unseen charges. There’s no loyalty  to you as a customer or genuine concern for you long-term benefit from the product. We still have an advantage that they can never duplicate. The opportunity to build a true, lasting business relationship and for locals, someone that shares the same ‘sales space’ as you, the customer. We all have to live here and make it work. What am I saying here?  I’m telling you why I went into business in the first place and that you can trust me cause I stand behind the work I do.