Commerce, Myths & Better Angels
Conceptual art presented to Mrs. Harris
Vicki and Gordie Harris have the entrepreneurial spirit. For sometime they have sold jewelry and other items on a weekend basis in the "old brick" building ( an indoor mall of sorts) on the corner of 98 and Tallahassee St. They wanted a shop of their own. With prayer and patience, waiting for providence to present the right opportunity. 2012 would be their year.
I learned of The Harris's as I was finishing up Carrabelle's World Famous Police Station/Phone Booth. I cannot honestly say who contacted who first. That does not really matter but what this project meant to me was a Carrabelle breakthough. Up to this point, the wonderful jobs that this town had presented us with, were all public sector. The Harris's Shop By The Sea, would be our first job for a privately owned business in Carrabelle.
Starting a new business in these times must be done wisely. At a power lunch meeting with Mrs. Harris (at a local McDonald's), offers and counter offers were made, and the Shop By The Sea would soon have two windows hand painted on site, along with full rights to a new logo.
When Mrs. Harris gave me her thoughts on a design approach. She told me that she liked mermaids and sea shells. She also told me that although the shop would be small, she really wanted to sell fine products to a discriminating clientel. Since there are so many beach shops in the area I felt a less direct approach should be taken to differentiate her shop from those selling beach gear. That is why I chose Poseidon's Trident as an iconic device rather than sea-horses and sand-dollars.
The Shop By The Sea logo was painted in reverse on the inside of the glass, some paint masks were utilized.
Painting multi-colored graphics in reverse on glass has to be executed in a layered front to back approach. I was particularly pleased with the airbrushed gradient on the shaft of the trident. The teal color was mixed with a clear varish and lightly sprayed on. After drying the metallic brass "back-up" paint was applied.
On a humorous note: Vicki is an active Southern Baptist, as am I ( this gives me the footing to tease her a little). She was unfamiliar with the trident as a symbol for the Ancient Greek, God of the Sea. She saw the trident as a pitchfork and had some concerns.
We both agreed that if the proposed ground sign is eventually erected. We will be sure to get rid of the bronze finish and use a bright, shiny, metallic gold on the frame/post. So there will be no confusion about who's side we are on...
He Knows Just What He Wants
Arial view of Carrabelle, courtesy of The Old Carrabelle Hotel website
Hotel pictured on the intersection near the lower right hand corner of image.
On one of my trips to Carrabelle, I passed out some brand new business cards. Those cards were double sided. The entire back of the card featured the Get Hooked/Carrabelle entry signs that had been up for just over a year by this point. Any one who has ever tried cold calling can attest to the fact that unasked for, sales calls can indeed feel chilly. I used the picture on the card as an icebreaker. They may not know my name but they are already familiar with my work. The fact is in most cases the response was a warm...Oh, You made those.
A view of the court yard taken from the Old Carrabelle Hotel website
Skip has his hands full, he is busy at the hotel, so it really came as no surprise that he would be a very hands on client. Mr. Frink knew exactly what he wanted as far as design. He wished to refurbish the existing structure replacing the old worn out panel himself. I am sure that Skip has ordered a sign or two in his career and had a firm grasp of what would do the trick.
Nancy and I enjoyed our tour of the hotel. Kathy and Skip are understandably proud of the place. On another pass through town, We were delighted to find the reburbished sign completed with the new panel that we had provided. Skip made us look pretty good!
Please visit their official website.
To be Continued...Lord Willing
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