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I began my career in the sign industry in 1987 as an apprentice/assistant at LA Signs and Graphics, under the tutelage of John Studden.

I lived in Venice, California, at the time and was in search of a new job opportunity. John’s shop was a classic sign shop—filled with panel projects and exceptional glass projects created by John, many on easels that lined walls of the shop.

I remember the scent of paints, glues and wood. I was intrigued by this new world, and I observed and learned as much as I could—basic layout skills, working with various sign materials and, most importantly, John’s techniques in sign production.

In 1992, after marrying my wife, Julie, I decided to relocate to the little town of Talent, Oregon. My experience with LA Signs paid off, and I was hired to help launch two new

Jeff WisdomEugene-Springfield, Oregon

sign companies over the next two years. In the process I made the acquaintance of Tom Towler. Tom had a history of working with Pepsi in the early days, hand lettering and

Shop name: Oregon Signworks

Shop size: 1100 sq. ft.

Age: 58

Graphics equipment: Summa plotterCorelDraw

Online:www.oregonsignworks.com

Carved 30-lb. Precision Board HDU over a metal structure, mounted on hand-peeled fir logs

Asa, Julie, Jeff and Jill

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producing artwork for Pepsi and ICEE. He did banners for the Professional Rodeo Circuit Association and I helped him.

Setting up shop Not long after, Tom asked me what it would take to set up my own equipment so that I could continue providing vinyl lettering for PRCA banners. I figured out the needed equipment and materials—computer, software, plotter, vinyl, mask and office equipment. The total came to $8,000. Tom offered to purchase everything I needed to get started in trade for labor. In January 1995, Wisdom Signs was born.

By June of that year, I had paid off Tom in full and had developed enough clients to work full-time from home. We set up the office in an extra bedroom, and had a two-bay garage shop and small shed for a table saw and materials.

In 1996, I had the chance to attend a sign industry conference in Long Beach. Taking workshops in airbrush, gilding, sign layout and vehicle graphics was extremely helpful. While in Los Angeles, I drove over to Rick Glawson’s shop to meet him and see his amazing work.

Custom dimensional work Meeting Rick and gleaning ideas and inspiration from SignCraft helped me formulate a new direction for my company. With all of the quick service vinyl sign shops out there, I wanted to focus more on longevity and creativity. I also wanted to

Letters and graphics are router-carved ½-in. PVC board on double-faced 4-by-8-ft. HDU board panels over tubular aluminum frame.

Lettering is CNC carved, finished with 23K gold leaf, and everything else is hand carved on this 4-ft.-diameter, double-faced HDU panel, which is hung on a bracket from SignBracketStore.com.

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Metal letters and logo from Gemini [www.geminisignproducts.com] on hand-carved, 30-by-96-in., 30-lb. Precision Board HDU board panel, mounted on twisted juniper log posts

Hand-cut letters and hand-carved hawk, mounted on aluminum panel over 5-by-4-ft. overlaid plywood panel; sign is double-faced.

Double-faced 6-by-4-ft. sign on HDU board. The perimeter of the lettering and graphics were CNC-routed, then all surfaces and the background were hand carved.

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move into custom dimensional work and build monument signs.

Fox Run Farm was my very first attempt at a hand carved and gilded lettering sign project. With each new project inquiry I offered clients

the option of dimensional signage. My ability and reputation began to grow, and I was soon creating more and more custom signs.

Learning from other sign masters has helped me tremendously. SignCraft regular Dan

Router-cut PVC letters faced with vinyl film, mounted on 8-by-8-ft. aluminum composite panel with a vinyl film background. The sign is double-faced, over an aluminum frame. Single-faced sign with V-routed lettering finished with 23K gold, carved in HDU board over an aluminum structure

Letters are router-cut 1½-in. HDU board over an HDU board panel on a metal structure.

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Sawatzky has been extremely encouraging and helpful. I have gleaned countless valuable business and sign techniques from other SignCraft contributors, too.

One day I returned to a monument sign project I was working on, and I found a note attached to the sign: “Nice work, call me: Vance Galliher.” I gave Vance a call and soon met Vance at his home shop—filled with beautiful glass projects and the great smells and feel of an “old school” sign shop. He is both a mentor and friend.

Starting over again In October of 2003, Julie and I moved to my hometown of Eugene-Springfield. Starting Oregon Signworks from scratch was challenging. It took two years to gain enough clients to be self-employed once again.

During this time, the most worthwhile

Routed graphics on 5-by-8-ft. Alaskan yellow cedar sign face

Lettering was routed from a 3-by-4-ft., 30-lb. Precision Board HDU panel, then layers of HDU board were used to create the flower, which was hand carved.

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investment was website development and search engine optimization. Oregon Signworks gained nationwide recognition for clients seeking custom dimensional signs. Molly’s Pub in Pennsylvania [see page 59] was one such project.

Locally, Oregon Gardens contacted me in 2008 with a massive sign project in Silverton that included an 85-ft.-wide log structure, custom stone pillars, custom lights and a double-sided entry sign below for the resort. This project continues to bring in attention and clientele.

We purchased a 1928 Craftsman Bungalow home, moved in and spent two years in renovations, designing the ground level basement around the sign business, front office, workshop and two-bay garage shop. Jill helping out on an installation

Vinyl lettering and 1 Shot enamel [www.1shot.com] on two panels of ¾-in. overlaid plywood Router-carved letters in HDU board faces which were slid over 4-in. steel posts, then the stone work was added.

Sandblasted 2-by-4-ft. granite panel with powder-coated frame and posts; graphics were sealed with shellac then painted with 1 Shot enamel.

Since I have always had a home-based business, our kids, Jill, 19 and Asa, 13, have the opportunity to help out. Jill works part-time and Asa works on an as-needed basis in assembly, production and installation. Jill is outgoing and thorough with a ready smile for our clients. Asa is great at designing, weeding vinyl and using tools.

Having a business at home is a tremendous blessing, with lots of family time. Every day I shake my head in disbelief that I get to do something I absolutely love, be creative, interact with clients and be with my family. SC

—from an interview with Tom McIltrot