In most places, widow splashes and other forms of sign painting have been replaced by cut vinyl letters and computer-printed banners. A well painted window is now something of a novelty. Except, that is, if you live in Ventura, CA. In Ventura window splashes have been almost singlehandedly been kept alive by Barber Signs1. While many of the signs you see around Ventura were done by Nick Barber, I think that rather than cornering the market he has made it possible for other people to practice the craft as well. Window splashes are a part of people’s visual vocabulary and daily lives.
Barber Signs also appears in the book and documentary film, Sign Painters by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon. ↩
I was never afraid to ask. People make assumptions about what's possible, but they never ask or try .. I did.
Splashes of Ventura 4
Splashes of Ventura 3
Splashes of Ventura 2
Middle of nowhere, some island off Southern California.
Looking up. I need to do that more.