RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond sign painter is bringing new life to an old style. Ross Trimmer hand paints signs for bars, restaurants, hotels and everything in between.
The method has been an outdated craft for just about his whole life.
“Vinyl production came about and computers kind of took over,” he said. “It was easier, faster.”
But in the last few years, he’s taken the time to breathe life into the somewhat dying trade. He does it from his studio in Scott’s Addition. His business, Sure Hand Signs, also specializes in reverse glass window painting and glass gilding.
“There’s just not a lot of people doing that work by hand anymore,” said Trimmer.
Trimmer says it brings an inviting and familiar feel.
“It stands out just because it’s not quite perfect,” he said. “I try not to do anything that looks super modern.”
Trimmer started Sure Hand Signs three years ago and works alongside Aaron Cruse.
You’ve probably seen their work around the city. The Tobacco Company Restaurant, Quirk Hotel and Early Bird Biscuit Co. are just a few places displaying their signs.
“It started out really slow, so I’d get really excited when I had a reason to drive down the street where my signs were,” Trimmer said. “And now they’re at least in every neighborhood, and a lot of neighborhoods have a lot of them.”
Today, his work can be seen beyond the River City.
“I’m up and down from here to D.C., Baltimore, we just did some work in New York. So, it’s a lot of fun,” he said.
But Trimmer, a former tattoo artist and graphic designer, never intended to make a career out of his newfound interest in painting.
“I didn’t mean for this to be a business. Ever,” he said.
But one job turned into two and two turned into three. Soon, Richmonders were eager to get the hand-painted touch.
“Every month it got busier and eventually I had to quit my job.”
He works off old alphabets and old signs as reference, giving new restaurants, shops, and businesses an old-fashioned, unique feel. It also gives people passing by a reason to stop and look a little longer.
“I think that’s what people are looking for most of the time when they do hire us — something to stand out from the three businesses next door,” Trimmer said.
To see more of the work done by Sure Hand Signs, check out their Instagram. The handle is @surehandsigns. You can also learn more on their website by clicking HERE.
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