Here in Stockton Springs we LOVE our library! Ever since moving here in 2016 we have enjoyed the library and the people who volunteer to run it. During 2020 I was asked if I could do a sign for the library and given design freedom so happily accepted the opportunity to give back to our community and donated my time and energies on this one (The library payed for materials).
The design above was one of many I made using my iPad, iPencil, and Adobe Fresco. I have really been enjoying this tool for quickly getting ideas out of my head! I worked with my friend Kirk on fonts / typefaces as that truly is the most difficult part and he had some great suggestions and eventually settled on Gautreaux for the “Stockton Springs” script and Plume for the other text-
After some thoughts on the colors I jumped in, cut the 3/4” MDO, triple primed all sides and edges, and began painting!
So as I started I was never completely happy with the look but was unsure why?! The white background was the issue and I had been suing that the whole time I think because the library is in an old white historic house, but after some thought I switched the background to a favorite Benjamin Moore Color- Old Navy. It brought the whole piece together!
Using a decorative comb technique for the book pages gave a great classic sign feel and saved a lot of fussing. I originally had the owl front view for both sides but it developed into a front and back view to give a sense of subtle whimsy- Also using metallic golds to set off the owl, border, and book pages.
I was THRILLED that my measures all worked with the existing iron hanger as the sign seemed a bit large in the studio.
The lower green book color was a suggestion by library volunteer Pat Curley and it worked great! It coordinated perfectly with the green shutters and allowed the sign to be colorful without being garnish -
2020 was a challenge but also forced me to take risks and apply for and create public works and I could not be more happy seeing my work in situations where many many people can interact with it. I am especially happy having my work three doors down on my favorite library -