Ch Ch Ch Changes

Sean talks about the ever changing reality of life and how change should be accepted as a sign painter (but not everyone's version of change)

Transcription:

Coming to you from Starr Studios in Denison, Texas, this is Coffee with a Signpainter, a weekly podcast hosted by sign painter, Sean Starr, that consists of interviews with other sign painters and some of the customers and characters Sean comes across while running his studio. Alright. Welcome back to coffee with a sign painter. Today, I wanted to talk about something that been mulling over for a week or two. Recently, I had a conversation with with somebody a client and he said something in passing that, I don't know.

It kinda jolted me, and and I've kinda been thinking about it ever since where, you know, just one of those mantras that that people throw out there. He said, well, you know, we've got to embrace change. And I've been thinking about that, you know, do we have to embrace change? So here's my thoughts on that. I I think it's intellectually lazy to just, embrace change because only people that are really promoting that you embrace change are people selling you something.

And, this relates directly to what I think is that crossroads where, digital, well, initially vinyl, signage started to take over the industry. And I think that's what sold everybody is there were there were advocates. Three m was one of them. And, you know, some of the other companies that all they were really doing was essentially cutting down, three m inventory into smaller roles and selling that. But that was the that was the big mantra, you know, embrace change.

And so I've been thinking a lot about that. And in, in my own life and the stage I'm at in my life and some of the things I'm going through as of the last couple years and I I think for myself, it's much more a matter of learning to accept that things change. Embracing change to me is taking, an agenda that someone else has and, you know, they're asking you to to roll over and just say, oh, embrace this. But, I I'm I'm finally, I think, at a stage in my life where I'm accepting that things change. And, when I was younger, that was very, very difficult for me.

And I I've seen that, you know, not only my personal life, but, how it's affected, you know, my working in this industry and, learning a trade and everything else is just accepting that things change and evolve. I think it's healthy. But the embracing of change is where I really, I I bristle at that. You know, years ago, you you'd be working in a sign shop and some sales rep would come in and he'd be pushing the latest, vinyl or the latest cutter or the latest software that was ridiculously overpriced. And it was all, it was always, well, this is where the industry is going.

You've got to embrace this. This is, this is where, where the future is. You got to embrace this and it wasn't embracing anything. It was just buying their stuff. So I'm I'm going through that right now.

And I'm and I'm trying to adjust to that. That it's kind of a an an awareness thing, I think, you know, when the transition was made from, all handwork to the beginnings of digital with vinyl, there there there wasn't, an Internet and there wasn't, there there there was very little information where you could kind of read between the lines and see what people were doing. And I I think now, that's easier because we've seen the formula over and over and over where corporations, you know, they put out their little satellite places and their little sales reps and everything else and start gobbling things up. And, you know, we we've all been exposed to it enough now that it's, oh, that's what they're doing. But back then, you know, I I think that's one of the reasons that that vinyl took such a strong hold is, you know, we were we were somewhat dumbed down.

We didn't really understand very much about how corporations operate and what their, you know, motives are. And so I think that there was a certain amount of naivete of, you know, well, this is where things are going because these behemoths are telling us, this is what we have to embrace. And if we don't, we're going to starve to death and die. And, you know, that's, that hasn't changed. You know, that formula is still being used today in across the board with different things, and different people learn how to manipulate with that kind of thinking.

So, yeah, there that that's been really on my mind lately of just trying to sort that out and figure out, like, you know, what what am I going to do, you know, moving forward? What changes may come? What unforeseen changes are gonna come? Changes in my own personal viewpoints and changes in my own direction. And those are the things that I wanna, I wanna focus on because then at least there's some sense of I'm steering the ship instead of somebody else who's trying to sell me something.

You know, and I, I think accepting change one of those things. And I'm, I'm, you know, trying to look at is the, like the change in, paint formulas with one shot. You know, that that's an inevitability that you can't really get around. That's they're going to continue to change those formulas. House paint got changed years ago and that never went back.

So I'm I'm looking at accepting that and saying, well, okay. I'm gonna have to make some adjustments and this may not work the same way or, that I want it to or what I'm used to. But I just I accept that that's the case because it's all wrapped up in legislation stuff. And, and for the most part, it's good stuff. And there might be clunks along the way where you gotta adjust.

But, you know, having things that are toxic and polluting are probably not a good thing, obviously. And that all applies where my head's at now because I've been doing this a long time. And it's been great and I love it. And, every time I, yesterday I was working on a a pub in, Sherman, Texas, a place called Cellerman's, and was out there painting. And it's the time I've been out painting in a while because we've had horrible weather.

And right now, I've got this huge backlog of stuff I'm trying to get knocked out in the month of April because I've gotten behind from the weather and being bummed out in the winter and all the things that come with it. But, you know, when you, when you have that time go by and and you actually pull out the brushes and you, you dip it in and you start painting, you immediately comes back. It's like, oh, this is why I love this. I could do this all day. And that's where the the the accepting change thing is.

Is, you know, it's, I guess this would be a point of advice I would give, to some of the the newcomers is, you know, create the direction you want to go. I've been trying to do something for years now, a couple years anyway, of getting back to the roots of what got me in in this business in the place, which was working with my dad. We worked out of his old station wagon originally, and we did pinstriping and lettering on literally thousands and thousands of vehicles. And, it was simple And it was peaceful. And I liked it.

And I've tried to to work more towards going back towards that direction of simplicity. But, you know, you you also have to stay afloat and take what comes your way. But, you know, I I'm I'm trying to accept change in that way that, things have hit. Where where I've settled in in the trade is not anywhere that I had anticipated. And it's good.

It's good. It's, I don't wanna give the impression that, I don't like where I'm at. I just I crave simplicity, you know. It's it's it's how my wife and I live and, you know, it's the thing that, we're constantly trying to maintain is simplicity so we can focus on things that are more important to us than making money or getting stuff and having to maintain it. But, yeah.

You know, things do change and you gotta kinda adjust. So going forward, you know, that's that's where I'm looking right now is what what's next? What comes up next? And, you know, that's that's what I would, encourage, those of you who are just entering the trade to look at is, you know, kinda determine for yourself where you want things to go. It's more challenging and more of a struggle because people and situations will want to, either pigeonhole you or determine where things go.

But, it's it's better if you decide that. So that's, that's what I've been wrestling with, I guess, is the the whole issue of change and, you know, and and not being stubborn, but at the same time, just not rolling over, you know, when people wanna, you know, come in and dictate, well, this is what you have to embrace. I don't wanna do that. That defeats the purpose of trying to work and live somewhat independently, and work and live as an artist. It's, there's always going to be somebody coming through the door who's trying to sell you on, whatever it is that you need to embrace in the change of the industry.

I don't know that that could happen again in sign painting because, you know, those of us that that passed through the gauntlet and made it through the other side and, either some continuously painted, I was not that fortunate. You know, I had an interruption of having to work in some of the vinyl and digital shops to not starve. But, you know, those of us that ended up on the other side and went back to paint, you know, I don't think that we'd ever budge again. And I think a lot of the the younger guys coming in from the conversations I've had, I, I don't think I I'd picture any of them that I've talked to, caving on, you know, some new direction in in the sign field. And you've got to, you know, put up the brushes and get this new computer technology.

I can't see it, but I don't know. Maybe no one could see it when vinyl came along. I'm not sure. But, you know, that's, I guess, one of the nice things is, you know, we do have the ability to choose, and determine for ourselves, you know, how we're gonna operate our businesses and where what direction we're gonna take things. I I I wanted to address too because it it it just it's funny and kind of strange to me.

I've gotten so much support and so many great emails and people have been sending donations through the website to keep the show going. And that's so awesome. And I really genuinely appreciate it because this has been a challenging thing to take on with trying to run my studio and fit in time for interviews and juggle schedules so that my schedule matches with somebody I'm interviewing and dealing with new technology and learning new software to record these things and all that. But, it's just it's strange to me. I've I've received a couple of emails of, of criticism and criticism is good.

It it, it stings sometimes, but it's good. It helps you to correct things. But it's it's funny to me that there's, this expert mentality. I'm not getting emails from other podcast, hosts who are saying, hey, man, you know, if you, maybe talked about this or adjusted that or did this shorter or longer or whatever, then that would be great. So it's kind of funny.

I've just gotten a couple of emails of, some critiques that, are kind of from our out of left field, but you know, whatever, I guess everybody's gotta say what they gotta say. But it ties in with something I just read, which kind of fascinated me. I mean, it's obvious, but it was still fascinating. I guess Yale university just finished up this study where, the people are becoming, people are are having a an increased sense of their own intelligence, since Google has launched. They they think they're smarter than they are was the the point of the study because, with an answer to virtually any question at the tip of our fingers now, it's, it's gotten this, raised sense of, intellect in people's opinions of themselves, which I find comical.

I also find it a little terrifying and, but I can see it. I mean, you know, that I that ties in with the the criticism comment of just, everyone's an expert now. But Hey, what are you going to do? There's always going to be critics out there anyways. You know, I really do appreciate the support.

This has not been an easy, thing to take on and I'm still working on it. And, you know, maybe I've got, more excitement in my voice some days than others, but life's like that. So what you're gonna do? You know, we've, we've all got our frustrations and ups and downs that we're dealing with on a daily basis. And, I'm sure some of that comes into some of these episodes when I'm, you know, on top of the world.

And when I'm at the bottom of the world, it's, whatever. You know, I, I'm, I'm not a radio guy. I'm a sign painter and I'm just trying to share my thoughts. But it's all good, I guess. So I also wanted to mention, failed to mention with my interview with Colt Bowden, Full City Rooster Coffee Roasters in Dallas, has been a sponsor from day one of the show, which we very much appreciate.

And, they have been my sole coffee source for several years now. That's the only coffee I'll drink. And, Michael, the the owner, he developed, sign painters blend based on my, predispositions of which different coffees I liked and, have tried over the years. And, so that's available now, which is super cool. You know, super excited to see that out there.

I know that some of you folks have already ordered and consumed it and really enjoyed it. But you can find that on their website at fullcityrooster.com. If you click on the little buy some coffee thing, it shows you the different kinds and explains the whole deal. So give that a try. If nothing else, you know, get a bag of whole beans and stick it on your shelf as a memento.

That's fun stuff. It's been really fun in the last couple of years to see the, you know, not only the resurgence in the love of the craft, but to see all these little products and t shirts and all these things that I've got a nice little collection of just little different things that people have made. And like I talked about with Colt last episode, he's got those cool zines, that he's, you know, partnered up with other sign painters and put together these really cool letterpress zines. So collect that stuff while you can. I don't know how, you know, how, how long the enthusiasm will last, but for right now it's fun.

And, you know, I would encourage everybody to just, you know, stick with it. Life's got its ups and downs. But like I said, you get out, you get out there, you break out the brushes and you start painting on something. And that's why we do what we do. All the other stuff's just fluff and a big, distraction.

But, you know, if it wasn't for the business necessities of the bookkeeping and all the other nonsense that goes with having to operate a business, you know, I I think most of us would be fully content just, you know, painting all day. But that probably won't happen. Anyways, thanks for tuning in. I'm, appreciative of the support. I'm sorry if, if I'm not always, bubbly and excited.

But, you know, if I was, I'd probably need some, therapy. So enjoy yourselves. Enjoy enjoy the day. Spring is here. If you've got, if you've got a list of things that you haven't gotten done, try and knock them out this month.

That's what I'm trying to do so I can go into May on a fresh slate. So we will talk to you guys next week and enjoy. Today's episode of Coffee with a SoundPainter is brought to you by Full City Rooster Coffee Roasters in Dallas, Texas. Roasting distinctive coffees from around the world. Sean drinks Full City Rooster Coffee every day in the studio.

You can order their coffee online at fullcityrooster.com. Thanks for listening to Coffee with a Signpainter, hosted by Sean Starr. You can find all sorts of info about the show and sign painting, including previous episodes at our website, seanstarr.com.