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PODCAST · arts

Coffee With a Sign Painter

by Sean Starr

The Coffee With a Sign Painter Podcast first hit the airwaves in 2015, hosted by sign painter Sean Starr. Now, ten years later, Sean’s back, reconnecting with some of the same sign painters from the original episodes. They’re diving into how Big Tech is reshaping the world, and its affect on sign painting and what it means for those still creating art made with human hands. Expect real talk, fascinating stories, and a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. Our intro music was written and recorded for this show by Fergal Lawler of the Cranberries… Thanks, Fergal!

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Episodes

  1. Sign Painter Bob Dewhurst: Ten Years After

    Sean catches up nearly 10 years later with sign painter Bob Dewhurst as they discuss the changes over the last ten years and their meeting nearly 20 years ago in San Francisco. Bob has been a sign painter for over 50 years and carries a wealth of knowledge about the trade and shares what he's…

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  2. Copenhagen Signs: The Sign Painter's Redemption

    Sean talks with Jakob Engberg of Copenhagen Signs in Denmark, a conversation about addiction, meditation, and redemption while painting signs.

  3. The Gentleman Racer: Mike Satterfield and the Death of Consumerism

    Sean talks with The Gentleman Racer founder Mike Satterfield about the over-politicization of modern life and the much-needed death of our culture of consumerism.

  4. UK's Sarah Harvey: Stickin' It to the Man One Gypsy Wagon at a Time

    Sean and English Gypsy Wagon painter Sarah Harvey talk paint and design, working for the occasional celebrity client, living free outside the confines of the "norm" and Frank Zappa.

  5. Sign Painter Mike Meyer: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

    Sean and globe-trotting sign painter and instructor Mike Meyer catch up and discuss the trade as well as sitting with your own mortality, paying it forward, and Polka music.

  6. 2020 Was One Hell of a Year

    After a world-changing year, Sean Starr is in relaunch mode with the podcast and looking towards the unknown future with a focus on talking with other sign painters on where we all go from here.

  7. Goodbye Dolores: The Final Episode

    Join Tom and Sean, The Cranberries Noel Hogan and Fergal Lawler, Singer Sarah Jaffe, Van Morrison's guitarist Dave Keary and a dozen other Limerick, Ireland based musicians and artists as they say farewell and share memories and music of Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan who passed away…

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  8. Interview: Ches & Alex Perry of Chicago's Right Way Signs

    Interview: Ches & Alex Perry of Chicago's Right Way Signs

  9. Interview: Kathryn Hall, Curator of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

    Interview with Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Curator Kathryn Hall. We talk about the current exhibit “For Hire: Contemporary Sign Painting in America”

  10. Interview: Piquant Media Limerick, Ireland

    Sean and Tom catch up after a crazy January and Tom interviews the creative heavyweights of Piquant Media in Limerick.

  11. Goodbye 2016, You Were Kind of a Stinker.

    In this last episode of the year, Tom and Sean say fare thee well to 2016, roast Chris Dobell and discuss the current state of affairs of sign painting.

  12. Interview: Canteen, Limerick Ireland

    Tom does some rogue reporting with the folks at Canteen, a music centric cafe in the heart of Limerick Ireland.

  13. Sign Painter's Q&A: Sean Starr in Cleveland

    Sean answers all sorts of questions in Cleveland Ohio at the Weapons of Mass Creation Fest #7

  14. Interview: Cleveland's Triple Threat Press

    Sean and Laura and Dave from Cleveland's Triple Threat Press talk letterpress, Denton life and the challenges facing working creatives.

  15. Today's Guests: Larry David and Richard Lewis! (No, not really, it's just Tom and Sean)

    Sean and Tom go on a roller coaster ride of neurosis in this episode as they discuss the ups and downs of working as a creative, with a pop in by sign painting apprentice Cole Bridges.

  16. Be Yourself... But Not Too Much.

    Sean and Tom get into the mechanics of operating their sign studios and the need to adapt to changes. Niki pops in on the last few minutes of the show to roast Sean and Tom (as usual).

  17. Sean, Tom and Cleveland's Go Media try to make sense of it all.

    Sean and Tom take each other on in GoMedia's Designer Face Off and talk about the upcoming Weapons of Mass Creation design extravaganza coming up in Cleveland in August where Sean will be hosting a workshop and talk. Tom interviews architect Manuel Smalis.

  18. Reunited, And It Feels So Good

    Sean and Tom kick the podcast into high gear with this new episode which includes a tour from Charlotte at A.S. Handover in London

  19. Interview: English Signwriter Ashley Willerton

    Sean and Kayleigh interview English signwriter Ashley Willerton at the Red Hen Bar in Limerick, Ireland and talk about painting signs and how Tom Collins should seriously consider running as Mayor of Limerick.

  20. Interview: Jack Hollands, London England

    English Signwriter Jack Hollands and Sean go deep in this existential episode conducted at the Red Hen Bar in Limerick, Ireland.

  21. Interview: Colin Thickbroom, Sign Painter Since 1937

    An interview with Colin Thickbroom, a retired English Sign Writer who started painting signs back in 1937. Interview at the Red Hen Bar, Limerick Ireland.

  22. Interview: John Grenier, Michigan Sign Painter

    John drops into Starr Studios while on a trip through Texas and talks to Sean about his many years as a sign painter, hanging with gold legend Rick Glawson, Chris Craft boats, David Smith and Gary Martin.

  23. Leavin' on a Jet Plane

    Sean and Kayeligh have left the building and are landing in Limerick, Ireland as this episode goes live! Updates on the project in Ireland as well as a brand new music feature from the archives of Arhoolie Records.

  24. Interview: Sam Roberts of Ghost Signs

    Sam Roberts talks about his work archiving ghost signs from around the world on his website: http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/

  25. Interview: Canadian Sign Painter Cal Trauter

    Canadian Sign Painter Cal Trauter and Sean talk about moving around like Gypsies and the constant artistic challenges posed by the trade and how that has kept them both moving forward over the years.

  26. Interview: The Collins Family, Limerick Ireland

    More Irishy updates for the Elemental Arts Festival this September in Limerick Ireland as Sean talks with Limerick sign painter Tom Collins and family.

  27. Updates on Limerick's Elemental Arts Festival

    Irish Sign Painter Tom Collins joins Sean for some updates on the Elemental Arts Festival in Limerick, Ireland in September.

  28. Interview: Sign Painter Vanessa Power, Dublin Ireland

    Vanessa talks about how she got into sign painting, life as a "girl" sign painter, the help she's received from other sign painters and the upcoming Elemental Arts Festival in Limerick, Ireland. More info: https://instagram.com/signsofpower/

  29. Interview: The Toadies' Clark Vogeler

    The Toadies' lead guitarist Clark Vogeler and Sean talk about the artwork Sean created for the new Toadie's album Heretics, vinyl records, the movie Sign Painters, Limerick Ireland and how Clark was at one of Sean's music gigs in Austin back in 1987. More info: http://thetoadies.com/

  30. Interview: The Cranberries, Limerick Ireland

    Sean talks with the band about life in the 80s, Morrissey & The Smiths, Sign Painting and the upcoming screening of the film Sign Painters at the Elemental Arts Festival in Limerick this coming September.

  31. Interview: "Keepers of the Craft" Film Maker Nathaniel Day

    Sean gets to interview film maker Nathaniel Day who has shot several documentaries on Starr Studios including "Keepers of the Craft"

  32. It's the "We're Going to Ireland" Episode!

    Sean talks with Limerick Signwriter Tom Collins and Dublin/New York Signwriter Simon Robinson about the upcoming project in Limerick, Ireland that will include a screening of the movie Sign Painters, an art exhibit showcasing sign painters from around the world and the project Sean is designing…

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  33. Interview: Berkeley Sign Painter Derek McDonald Part II

    In this second part of the interview with Derek McDonald of Golden West Sign Arts in Berkeley, CA Sean and Derek discuss lots about music, Ireland, the upcoming Letterhead Meet and living as broke sign painters.

  34. Interview: Berkeley Sign Painter Derek McDonald Part I

    Sean talks to Derek about his experiences with sign painting madman Mike Meyer, the movie Sign Painters and Jimmy the Saint. Part 1 of 2. More info: http://www.goldenwestsignarts.com/

  35. The Trader Joes Sign Painters

    Sean fields a listeners question about the behind the scenes sign painters of Trader Joes grocery stores.

  36. Interview: Josh Hall of J. Hall & Co. Gentleman Tattooers Dallas, TX

    Sean does his first client interview with long time customer and patron Josh Hall of J. Hall & Co. Gentleman Tattooers in Dallas, Texas. Sean and Josh talk about some of the similarities of the two trades as well as vegan diets and some other weird stuff. More info: http://tattoosonlamar.com/

  37. Interview: San Diego Glass Artist and Sign Painter Roderick Treece

    Roderick and Sean talk signs, surfing, "Big Daddy" Ed Roth and Sean gets schooled on planning for the future.

  38. We Hate It When Our Paints Become Unsuccessful

    Sean answers a listeners question about the ever changing quality of materials including the new One Shot Low VOC formula.

  39. Interview: L.A. Trade Tech Graduate Alex Kirikake of Smart Alex Signs

    Sean talks to Alex about his experience going through the Los Angeles Trade Tech Sign Painter's program and what motivated this young newcomer to the trade. More info: https://instagram.com/smart_alex_signs/

  40. Interview: Philadelphia Sign Painter Gibbs Connors

    Gibbs and Sean discuss all sorts of things sign painter (and non sign painter) related in this episode, including Volkswagens and the Smithsonian screening of the movie Sign Painters. More info on Gibbs: http://www.gibbsconnors.com/

  41. Interview: San Francisco Bay Area Sign Painter Ken Davis

    Sean and Ken (a.k.a. @coolhandken) complain like two old grandpas about technology, social media and why painting signs is awesome.

  42. Studio Tip: Scheduling

    Sean gives some ideas on what has, and hasn't worked over the years in keeping the studio schedule manageable.

  43. Interview: Canadian Sign Painter John Lennig of Big Top Sign Arts

    Sean and John talk coffee, sign painting, the vinyl years, world travel and paint brush choices. More info on John Lennig: http://www.bigtopsignarts.com/

  44. Ch Ch Ch Changes

    Sean talks about the ever changing reality of life and how change should be accepted as a sign painter (but not everyone's version of change)

  45. Interview: Colt Bowden, Sign Painter, Illustrator & Letterpress Guy

    Colt Bowden talks about getting into sign painting after studying as an Illustrator and has some tips for newcomers to the trade. More info: http://coltbowden.com/

  46. Interview: Meredith Kasabian of The Pre-Vinylite Society, Boston

    Meredith fills us in on what the Pre-Vinylite Society is, how it came about and how you and other lovers of painted signs can get involved. More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/previnylitesociety

  47. Interview: James Roy Thomas of Bluejacket Sign Co. Costa Mesa, CA

    With a couple years under his belt, James is a relative newcomer to the craft and has a lot of helpful insight for others entering into sign painting. More info on James and Bluejacket Sign Co. at http://bluejacketsigncompany.tumblr.com/

  48. Why I Hate WalMart

    Sean talks about how the models of franchising, corporate greed and materialism are incompatible with a dude who just wants to paint signs and live his life.

  49. Interview: Los Angeles Creative Director Mathew Foster

    Sean and Mathew discuss Mathew's history as a designer while working for the behemoth ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, his role as co-founder of Portland's Official MFG Co., their shared passion for motorcycles and daily life in crazy Los Angeles. More info on Mathew: http://www.mathewfoster.com/ and...

  50. Interview: Sam Macon, Co-Director of the film Sign Painters

    Director Sam Macon talks to Sean about working on the film Sign Painters, the effect the film had on them creatively as they went through the process and the adventure of getting to know the dysfunctional family of sign painters as a community. More info on the film Sign Painters at:...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Coffee With a Sign Painter Podcast first hit the airwaves in 2015, hosted by sign painter Sean Starr. Now, ten years later, Sean’s back, reconnecting with some of the same sign painters from the original episodes. They’re diving into how Big Tech is reshaping the world, and its affect on sign painting and what it means for those still creating art made with human hands. Expect real talk, fascinating stories, and a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. Our intro music was written and recorded for this show by Fergal Lawler of the Cranberries… Thanks, Fergal!

HOSTED BY

Sean Starr

CATEGORIES

arts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Coffee With a Sign Painter have?

Coffee With a Sign Painter currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Coffee With a Sign Painter about?

The Coffee With a Sign Painter Podcast first hit the airwaves in 2015, hosted by sign painter Sean Starr. Now, ten years later, Sean’s back, reconnecting with some of the same sign painters from the original episodes. They’re diving into how Big Tech is reshaping the world, and its affect on sign...

How often does Coffee With a Sign Painter release new episodes?

Coffee With a Sign Painter has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Coffee With a Sign Painter?

You can listen to Coffee With a Sign Painter on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Coffee With a Sign Painter?

Coffee With a Sign Painter is created and hosted by Sean Starr.
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