Not Real Art

Step aside digital, and make way for the magic of the handcrafted! In this captivating episode, we delve deep into the world of hand-painted signs with Ches Perry, a true master of the craft and a testament to the timeless allure of the handmade. Since the 1970s, Ches has been adding color and character to the streets of Chicago and beyond, having been trained by the finest at the Institute of Lettering and Design. Today, Ches and his team at Rightway Signs aren't confined to hand-painting; their expertise spans murals, neon, rooftop signage, and so much more. We talk with Ches about the tradition of sign painting, how he’s seen it evolve throughout the decades, and what his hopes are for the next generation of sign painters. He shares the details of his journey from Newfoundland to Chicago, how he fell in love with sign painting, and the three intensive years he spent learning the fundamentals of signage. We also hear the story of how he came to own his own business, why he doesn’t believe he’ll ever retire, plus the gratitude he feels for being able to work in a field that has brought him so much joy. If you're interested in learning more about the fascinating art of sign painting, or simply want to be inspired by a life well-lived, you won't want to miss today’s insightful conversation with Ches Perry!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ches’s long history in the industry, starting in the 1970s.
• How his company, Rightway Signs, came to be.
• Digital overload, and the popularity of Ches’s handmade signs.
• Ches’s son, Alex, and the excellent work he’s done marketing Rightway Signs.
• The uniqueness of every sign painter's work.
• Some of the legendary sign painters who taught and inspired Ches.
• How Ches fell in love with sign painting: the course that started it hjbk , ,all.
• The fundamentals of what they learned: fonts, brushstrokes, colorways, and more.
• How layout can make or break your design.
• The clever trick sign painters use to paint signs in reverse on glass surfaces.
• How rooftop signage has evolved and the complex rooftop signs that Ches has done.
• Working with designers and the impact computers have had on sign painting.
• Ches’s upbringing in Newfoundland and how he decided to attend art school in Chicago.
• How Ches met his wife, got married, started a family, and came to own his own business.
• Becoming a coffee drinker, training the next generation, and an overview of just a few of the amazing things that Ches has achieved with his company.

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/ches-perry