Signs of the Times - June 2014 - (Page 6)

S T U P D AT E By Steve Aust An Artful Stampede Painted-fiberglass statues that convey a city's local color have become relatively commonplace. Years ago in Cincinnati (once known as "Porkopolis" because of its numerous meat-processing plants), local artists painted pigs that were installed throughout the city. In Athens, GA, the downtown is populated by painted English bulldogs that replicate Uga, the University of Georgia's canine mascot. However, when Texans wrap their minds around an endeavor, something big and bold usually results. The Longhorn Stampede, which occurred April 24-25 in Austin, proved no exception. Developed by Austin entrepreneur and philanthropist Milton Verret, the Stampede corralled the talent of notable Central Texas artists to adorn fiberglass steer sculptures with eclectic designs, and they were subsequently auctioned. 6 SIGNS OF THE TIMES June 2014 Proceeds will benefit the MJ & M Foundation, a charity driven by the considerable Lone Star State celebrity of former Univ. of Texas football coach Mack Brown, actor Matthew McConaughey and countrymusic superstar Jack Ingram. The MJ & M Foundation selected several charities that serve economically disadvantaged, medically challenged or otherwise at-risk children. The organization's 2013 fundraiser garnered nearly $1 million, and officials hope to reach seven figures with this Longhorn Stampede. Austin-based Ion Art, an electricand architectural-sign fabricator that fabricated the noted Marfa, TX Playboy sign (see ST, August 2013, page 24), provided a sculpture. For the project, which the shop nicknamed the "Cash Cow," (see photo, top right) Ion Art co-owner Sharon Keshishian and her team adhered approximately 23,000 dimes by hand to the fiberglass steer with Steve Aust is ST's Senior Associate Editor. A member of its editorial staff since 2000, his work emphasizes vinyl graphics, architectural and environmental graphics, and 3-D signage. Weldbond, a nontoxic, industrial adhesive. A solid-silver, Armenian coin provides the centerpiece in the steer's forehead. Next, Ion Art grouted it with two layers of Polyblend sanded material before polishing and buffing it by hand. The final layers were sprayed in the shop's paint booth, using Matthews' high-gloss clearcoat. Painter Rory Skagen and neon artist Todd Sanders, whose clients have included Norah Jones, Willie Nelson and Johnny Depp, collaborated on a beautiful bovine (top left) that pays tribute to Austin's stature as the "Live Music Capital of the World" - a distinction earned through its legacy as home of South x Southwest, a music festival that's metastasized into a socialmedia extravaganza. Skagen adorned the steer with acrylic paint, and Sanders MIG-welded the cabinet and bent the 15mm neon letters. He bolted the sign through a flange plate, and attached the signpole through the steer. "I've devoted 22 years to studying neon as it was done during its glory days of the 1930s and '40s," Sanders said. "Now, I create it as fine art. [ST] has been an invaluable resource in learning the craft. I own almost every issue from the 1930s to today."

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - June 2014

Signs of the Times - June 2014
Columns & Departments
Features
ST Update
Technology Update
What Shops Need to Know about Windows XP
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review: X-Rite’s ColorTRUE app
Technology Review: Color-Logic’s process metallic color system
New Products
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - June 2014