Scattered all over San Jose are remnants of really interesting signs, often at car sales lots. When businesses change hands many times, the origins of these signs are often lost.
I don’t sketch them all, but this one is a beauty. (For the record, Public Auto Wholesale is still in business at this same lot) Sketching the sign on a rainy overcast day certainly helped. Look at that car on top of the sign. And I just love the arrow. Those spikes at the top of the sign that should keep the birds away? Not a bad idea, but I saw a couple of birds come and perch down for bit before taking off again…
Location:
1480 W San Carlos St
Suhita, I have long been neglectful in telling you much I appreciate and look forward to your sharing of your sketches, always! And today’s, the rain, the minimal b&w, the fading away, your observation of the birds that won’t be sacred off, well, they brought joy. As always. You inspire me – we have some signs around here, too, for heaven’s sake!
Annie, thank you for writing in: i’ve learnt so much about San Jose just from sketching these signs: I’ve been to parts of the city I would otherwise never go to, researched the history of the city to find out more, made really lovely and interesting friends and now I’ll be putting these together in a book and an exhibit at History San Jose… it’s been an amazing experience.