Back from Indiana!

This years trip to Indiana was even better than last years! And that says a lot, as last years was pretty amazing. It was fantastic to get to meet some amazing people, and see friends from last year. Manfred, an amazing sign artist, came all the way from Germany. His Website is http://www.timbersigns.com His work speaks for itself, and is second to none!

We managed to bring our little cartoon racer down, so people could see what's possible with really great software like Aspire and Hexagon, and our Techno cnc router.

Robert and Deb Jones played great hosts, and it was hard to believe it has almost been a full year since last time we saw them. We are very grateful to have a lasting friendship with both of them!

It was also a pleasure to meet with Kellie Miller from Coastal Enterprises, who is about the same height as Jody, but waaaay funnier ;) but not nearly as funny as Jody.

I also got to meet Dan Sawatzky from Imagination Corporation, and Doug Haffner from Haffner Signs: http://www.haffnersigns.com/

Here's a group shot of all the instructors, and Rob and Deb, the organizers and owners of the workshop. These photo's were all taken by Eddie Morgan, a stand up guy who kept his camera close at hand! Thanks Eddie. Top Left: Rob Jones, Deb Jones, Peter Poanessa. Front Left: Jody, Me, Sandy Baird and Dan Sawatzky.

Sandy Baird and I had decided that we would collaborate on a gift sign this year, for the amazing people at Collom's General Store. This sign would officially crown them as the "Canadian Sign Embassy" So I drew up and fabricated a very fitting plaque for them to hang on their wall!
I will cover the process in the next couple of blog posts. I didn't want to give it away before hand.

While sitting down at dinner on Sunday night with the instructors, Doug Haffner had commented that he really liked our "Institute Sign" with the mechanical fish we did, and I should do a few more in the series. At this point, Dan Sawatzky also mention he quite liked the sign as well. He suggested that the three of us should enter a "friendly" competition, to push ourselves creatively, and create an even better version in the series. So I'm pretty sure that this is what one would call "It's on". So we'll see what craziness will come of this! All in the spirit of good fun!

Rustoleum Metallic Accents aplenty!

I had sent Rob the design for sign earlier in the year, and he machined 50 or more, one for each student. Jody taught some of our painting/ glazing processes, and everyone got to apply the techniques to their own sign. It was really cool to see that no 2 signs were the same when they were finished! Everyone did such great work.

Another workshop has come and gone, but the memories will last forever.
Thank you so much Rob and Deb for having us!
8)
JWO