Profile: Mark Fair of Mark Fair Signs, Montgomery Alabama
Mark Fair is a living legend of sorts to other sign painters working in the United States. Mark co-founded the Creative Signmakers of America online forum which has traditional sign makers all over the world interacting and sharing their work daily. If you are a sign maker and haven’t joined CSA yet, do so, it is a great source of inspiration. Mark has also pioneered the use of antique and distressing techniques in his sign making and has generously shared tutorials through the CSA forum to help others learn how to use these techniques in their own studios.
TSM- How long have you been painting signs?
MF- I started when I was 14 years old working with an old sign painter back home in Gordo, Alabama, I am now 58.
TSM- Who were your inspirations/mentors in learning the craft?
MF- The old guy I worked with, Jimmy Crimm and after I discovered SignCraft magazine it was people like Chester Cunningham, Mike Stevens, etc.
TSM- Any advice for those wishing to learn the craft?
MF- Go to a Letterhead meet, Join Creative Signmakers of America for inspiration and get a subscription to SignCraft magazine.
TSM- Where can we take a look at more of your work?
I have Mark fair to thank on many fronts. I first contacted Mark after he was featured in SignCraft magazine. I was reminded of my own story and work. Mark invited me to join Creative Signmakers of America at that time. I was an internet forum novice and stayed away for 3-4 months. His work at CSA was a real shot in the arm. This group of men and women has both inspired and kept me inspired to do my best work. rarely a week goes past that I do not put in a little bit extra, thinking what would my peers at CSA think about this or that.
I have become a fan and friend of Mark Fair, He has the uncanny knack of coming up with beautiful pieces that often give us a chuckle. He may be the Will Rogers of sign painting.
i joined csa a few years back now and i remember seeing mark’s antique signs on there and thinking “how does he do that??” well here is a man who responded to our messages, told us how to go about doing the job in a step by step form which has lead to many exciting jobs for stu and i over the past few years. thanks mark!
cheers
chris and stu dobell
I stumbled upon the CSA and Mark Fair because of a sample piece shown on Letterheadfonts.com I saw it and couldn’t type in the URL fast enough. Within weeks I was (still am) learning to hand paint letters, joining the Walldog mural painters and making more new friends than I could count. It’s been a heck of a first year in business..and Mark has been a top notch friend. I learn somethin’ from him about every day.
I share the same appreciation for this man. Always willing to share and one heck of a musician too. We have all been lucky to make friends with Mark through the CSA, I have never met him or even spoke to him on the phone, but I feel like I have known him for years and years.
Seeing Mark’s antiqued signs some years ago, really impressed! missed meeting him at Mazeppa ’05…hopefully, meet you at Arcola…beautiful work MKark!
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
I love this trade and the people in it.
Mark Fair
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Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
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