Meet Chris Sturdivant of The Debonair Signman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Sturdivant.

Chris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my passion for lettering at a young age. I grew up in Woodstock, Ga and went to the local stock car races at Dixie Speedway, as often as my parents would let me. I was never really into the races, or who was in what place, but the cars themselves. The numbers were what really fascinated me. I became obsessed with the shapes, colors, and flow of the lettering and numbering on each car, and would often bring a drawing pad with me and try to sketch my favorite ones! As I grew up and didn’t have as many chances to go to the races, I fell in love with different types of lettering. My high school art teacher was obsessed with type and lettering, and I loved digging through her books. As I moved into Atlanta for college, I began noticing all the different lettering styles around the city, from old buildings to the ever-changing graffiti filled bridges and walls. My drawing teacher was also a past graffiti artist and taught me many things about letter formation and manipulation. He asked me if I’d ever given any thought to Sign Painting as a craft and a career. I had no idea what he was talking about, but he gave me my very first sign painting book, and that began my love affair with letters. I had a varying love for lettering throughout my life, and later I began to READ it in a different light.

Its been about six years, now, that I began my obsession with Hand Lettering. I began collecting books and various materials, over 12 years ago, to reproduce lettering of all styles. But, it wasn’t much later that I stumbled upon my first sign painter and started thinking about how I could turn this hobby into my life. He was a seasoned brushman, having specialized in the very stock cars I originally fell in love with. Ronnie “Big R” Edwards would forever change my lettering life. I began watching him as often as I could. I studied the way his hands and brush worked. I emulated his movements and made practice sheets based off of his style. He passed away last year, but I am forever grateful for his kindness and wisdom!

I later met another sign painter who has recently been helping to hone my skills. Kent Combs is a Duluth, Ga resident, and a second generation sign painter and window splash artist known around the US. He has worked and traveled, painting in some of the best sign shops around. I have had the privilege of working alongside and learning from Kent, and look forward to the many things I have left to learn!

I am a traditional sign maker. I only employ methods in which to create the most beautiful signage and artistic pieces for my clients. I specialize in both traditional and modern lettering and techniques. Gold leaf is the most beautiful and powerful statements a sign can make, and my favorite signs to make. I use time tested practices to achieve long-lasting and brilliant gilds. I am constantly learning, and can’t wait to see where the paint will lead!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Sign painting is a craft; it is learned and perfected through time and is not inherent or an artistic talent driven thing. Painting letters is done by repeating the shapes over and over until you’ve gotten muscle memory. It’s something anyone can learn, with the right patience and proper practice. This was something that was difficult for me to grasp in the beginning. I wanted to paint signs, not strokes. I wanted to make something captivating but didn’t have the basic feeling of how a brush handles paint. It’s not an easy thing to do and many people still struggle with it long after they’ve begun selling signs.

That being said, Sign painting hasn’t been my full-time craft for very long. I spent 4-5 years studying and practicing before I ever thought I was good enough to sell a sign to someone. During that time I worked in restaurants, mainly as a bartender and bar manager. I spent 12 years in the service industry. That limited the amount of time I had to dedicate to learning a new craft. I would get home late and often need to be back early, and on some of my off days, to make sure everything was set up and ready for the next service. That really limited my ability to train in the craft. But, I made it a priority to at least read and study the strokes as often as possible, even while I was behind the bar. I drew constantly and ran off to Big R’s, as often as I could, to practice and get some guidance on my progress. After a few years, I attended a sign painting meet up, called The Letterheads. That experience changed a lot for me, and really put a lot into perspective. I met so many amazing lettering artists, sign painters, pinstripers, and gilders, all willing to share their knowledge and experience. I gained confidence and a little knowledge of how to turn my passion into money. But, it would be another two years of struggle, and a trip to an international Letterheads meet in Amsterdam to finally give me the push I needed to turn the craft into my full-time career.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Debonair Signman story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Sign Painter, in Atlanta, Georgia. I use time-honored techniques together with modern advances to produce the most eye-catching, longest lasting, and best-designed signage available. I am know as The Debonair Signman. I took this name on because people kept saying I was dapper, for wearing collared shirts, bow ties, and ties when I work. Debonair is just a stronger word for well dressed, and while it’s got nothing to do with dressing sharp, to me, I dress to impress. This is more of a heritage based decision, for me. In studying the sign painters of the past, it was common for them dress in slacks, a tie, and jacket. This was true of any profession. As time passed, so did this custom, for blue collar jobs. My grandfather told me when I was young to dress professionally, no matter the position, and it really stuck with me. I wore ties and bow ties while working behind the bar, far before it was commonplace. I took this inspiration from a young man I saw working at a diner, and his confidence really resonated with me, and I began to step up my neckwear game. Dressing this way really stands out to clients and admirers of the signs I paint. It really helps to stand out and promote my business.

Dressing debonair also looks great when I am doing gold leaf windows. When someone sees you laying gold in a tie, it’s a really nostalgic feeling. It’s a very old tradition, and one of my favorite parts of the craft. I’ve been growing in acclaim for my gilding, using gold leaf, in the recent years. I’ve been able to produce some of Atlanta’s most recognizable gold leaf signs, such as The Pinewood entrance and Constellations front windows. These jobs lead me to be asked to teach gilding at a recent Letterheads meet, held in London. I was invited to teach five basic gilding courses, that then turned intermediate with everyone wanting to know more techniques. Because of all these accomplishments, I was also invited to participate in an invite-only gilding event, held in Bakersfield California, known as the Conclave. Gilding is something I’m truly passionate about, and I believe it is the most expressive representation of a sign. This being so, I want to make sure I express myself in a similar factor!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have been fortunate to have so many people support me along my journey. While I was working behind the bar of a well known local restaurant, and trying to buy my first home, I found out about a Letterheads meet in Cincinnati Ohio. It was the 40th anniversary of the first meet that was held and was going to be a very big deal. Because I was in the process of buying my house and saving every penny, I really couldn’t afford to go. A few of my regular customers got together and came up with a plan to secretly start a GoFundMe, and pay for me to attend the meet and all accommodations. It was fully funded in 3 days, all by my customers. I was so lucky to have met these wonderful and generous people and to be able to attend the meet. That was a truly astounding experience and has made a huge impact on my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.atlantasignpainter.com
• Phone: 678.933.7750
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @thedebonairsignman

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