Fearless Flyer

I’m sure you know by now, but I am working as a Sign Artist at Trader Joe’s. Every so-often we have Fearless Flyers, sales specials and new-item flyers that showcase some of our awesome product. Each store decorates to let the customers know that the “Flyers have landed!” This month we’ve decided to give the flyer a “Sailor Jerry”-syle nautical tattoo theme.

The “Fearless Flyer” is an almost-monthly flyer sent to customers that features some of our favorite items, seasonal items, and more!

Here are some photos of works in progress:

This photograph shows the work in progress and the original sketch as well as color-blocking and color ideas. We use paint, markers, and paint markers to do signs like this. The paint markers save a lot of time because they dry so quickly!

Each store decorates for their Flyer differently.

This is one of my favorite signs. This sign is going to go over the wine and liquor section. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with some great wines and cheese. Several great wines and cheeses are featured this month!

We chose to do a theme that would also fit with some of our Valentines decorations and specials happening in the store at the same time.

This sign is probably going to go over the “Demo” area. Swallows, roses, and fun lettering make for eye-catching signs.

In progress.

Another swallow sign. Did you know that swallows symbolize love and loyalty? We love our loyal customers! :-)

Now here are the final pieces, hung and ready for the Flyer:

Hanging up and ready to go!

This sign is above our cheese and deli meats section. There are quite a few products featured from this section. Make your honey some fondue this Valentine’s Day!

This sign is hanging above the liquor section. Don’t forget the snacks to go with your drinks!

All dry and ready to be brought up to the front of the store. How exciting!

This sign is on the far left of our veggie cooler where our bagged veggies and fruits are kept.

This sign is on the far right of our veggie cooler where our bagged veggies and fruits are kept.

Reminding our customers that the Flyer is here and that they should pick one up before they’re gone!

This sign is a little wider than the rest and fit perfectly above the Demo section. It reminds our customers who are tasting the demo items that they are available in this month’s flyer! Yum!

I’ll be sure to post more photos as I take them. That’s all for the signs for this month’s flyer, but I will be sure to share more photos of more projects soon!

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TRIP TO GUATEMALA: TRAVELING TO THE MAYAN RUINS AND ANTIGUA

Our trip took us to the countryside of Guatemala. Traveling from Guatemala City to Antigua and the Mayan ruins, we saw many things along the way. I took hundreds of photos on the trip, many of them on the road between the city and the country. Here are a selection of my favorites.

Despite the clouds, you could see for miles.

Driving through the countryside, this is what I thought ALL of Guatemala would be like. I was surprised how quickly the city stopped and the country began. No suburban communities, housing developments. Just city, then country.

A sign on the side of the mountain. Way cooler than billboards!

One of the coolest things about the Guatemalan roads is their busses. Our guide told us that they are school busses that are drivable but no longer up-to-code for driving in the USA. (I guess all those smog tests really do mean something) I could tell that there were emission problems with some of the busses, but most of them seemed to be a lifeline in the countryside communities. The busses are much like the run-of-the-mill city busses in LA. They always seemed full of people when we were on the road. Often, people’s luggage was stored on the racks installed on the top of the bus. It reminded me of Romancing the Stone.

This custom paint job is excellent! Is “Patzuneria” the buses’ name?

I think my favorite part about the buses is their fabulous paint jobs. Our guide said that sometimes the drivers will either paint the bus themselves or hire an artist to do the detailing.

This bus means BUSiness!

This one was my favorite. A lot of detail went into this beauty.

A splash of color on a cloudy day!

You can see some luggage up top.

Once we made it into smaller cities outside of Antigua, I saw the Guatemala I had been imagining. The rural areas were full of farmland and shops selling the necessities.

I never did find out who or what “Lider” was.

This looked like a good place to stop where you could get food AND tires for your car.

Hospital de Los Angeles!

A handsome building with overgrowth on part of the roof.

There’s that “Lider” fellow again…

Dispensa Familiar: a superstore (similar to Walmart). I love their logo.

A dentist’s office. Love the painting on the wall!

There were dozens of churches along the road. This one was the only green one that I recall.

“Welcome to Antigua”

Once we arrived in Antigua, our first stop was in a monestary. It was a beautiful space full of beauty and a little mystery.

A cross. By happenstance or was it painted on?

Ruins in downtown Antigua.

I believe that some of the monks were buried in this area to the left.

Our guide said that this was a destination spot for tourists and locals alike. The space housed many private and semi-private areas that would be perfect for parties or even weddings. There was a beautiful garden with all manner of plants and a man who had performing parrots with him. There was a wedding in one of the private areas.

The parrot was not to be bothered by paparazzi.

A small glimpse of the flowers before we got caught in a torrential downpour!

As we were exploring the grounds, an incredible storm rolled through and we made our way to the covered shops. I was able to buy some fantastic coffee and some chocolates to bring home with me. My coworkers purchased some other (fancier) goods from street vendors including a jade jaguar for Paul’s wife and Toni got a blanket for her mother. Both got great deals. I wasn’t so good at haggling, but I did get some trinkets for my family back home.

I tried to find some painted tiles like this, but to no avail…

We had to stop here to get some home-made treats before we headed out of town.

After we purchased (more than our fair share of) treats from El Rosario, we headed on our way to see the Mayan Ruins. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to see them!

Beautiful plants growing on the roof of this building.

And now we begin our journey to the ruins…

Wonderful signage to point the way to the ruins!

Love Birds Finished

I finished the “Love Birds” Painting! I am so pleased with how these pieces on wood turned out. I am really excited to hang this and my other pieces in the gallery! I’ll be sure to show the full painting soon.

Detail shot of the heart and birds from my “Love Birds” painting.