Thursday, September 24, 2009

Vintage neon is IN!





























These days
, magazines are having a real challenge in trying to stand
apart from the crowd
. It seems like it has all been done, but there is a solution.
Many savvy designe
rs are utilizing a best kept secret in advertising.
Vintage Neon Sign
s, made to order!
There is a company that specializes in creating custom 1950's era neon signs from scratch, and even weathers them to perfection.

The Compan
y is called Roadhouse Relics, owned by Todd Sanders.
Roadhouse Relics was begun in 1996, dedicated to celebrating American Pop Culture. Many Movies and T.V. commercials have taken advantage of their talents, and now print media designers have caught on.
Basically, if you can imagine it, Roadhouse Relics can make it!
In the past year, Roadhouse Relics has made custom, vintage style neon signs for several magazines a
nd print ads. The magazines include Esquire, Los Angeles magazine, Texas Monthly and Paste.
Did these projects create a splash? Well, the critics have spoken and they have won a fe
w awards. The June '08 Texas Monthly magazine won the American Society of Magazine Editors Service Cover of the year!
Visit http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-06-01/feature.php
Los Angeles magazi
ne also won the year's best inside cover.
Roadhouse Relics also cr
eated an awesome Neon Marquee for an L G Phone print ad.
You can see it in many magazines in Octobe
r '09 issues.
Texas Monthly has hired Roadhouse Relics again! If you view the Oct. '09 issue, you will see a custom vintage neon sign on pg. 148 in an editorial. It's a funny sign that reads 'WEED'.
It is a tongue in cheek take on an old Motel sign, except that where it is supposed to say NO VACANCY, it says ILLEGAL. I bet that it will win an award or two.

The fun thing about nostalgic neon signs is that they will never go out of style, because they are timeless.
To view more examples of Roadhouse Relics amazing work, go to roadhouserelics.com.





Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Elvis in Paris 1959 GARAGE SALE GOLD








I've been a collector of odd things and antiques since I was little. This is probably part of why I make art that looks like antique found objects. I love cool old stuff, and always have.
Many days have been spent driving to some far away place with my Wife or Dad to look for that one special item that is fun to own and makes a great story. Years pass between the really special finds, no matter how hard I search.
I had an experience last weekend that made up for many long roads that led nowhere (antique wise anyway).
My wife Sarah and I went to the CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE, here in Austin. She's been the one who has been finding the treasures lately. She found a Johnny Cash Sun Record for $12 in Luling, Tx. about 2 months ago. About halfway through the sale, She pointed out this great looking postcard with an illustration of a dancer on it. The postcard read' LIDO PARIS'. I instantly admired it, I LOVE pinup girls, and this was a great one, so I picked it up and gave it a closer look.
The back wasn't filled out, but it did have a signature on it. After a closer inspection I was finally able to make out the signature.
ELVIS PRESLEY
Although I was taken aback, I was skeptical.
It looked like his handwriting, but was Elvis ever in Paris?
I know that Col. Tom would not let him tour oversees. Then I thought, 'Oh Yeah,
He was in Germany in the Army! He may have gone over to Paris on leave.
But this postcard was only $10, how can it be real?
I actually put it down and walked away, which sometimes can be a big mistake. Before I went one more aisle, I told Sarah "I have to go back and get it, even if its not real, it's a great image."
So I went back.
There were 2 people looking at it, and a few other things right by it.
My heart was in my neck.
After an eternity, they walked on ,and I picked it up. I asked the Lady where she got the postcard and she joked "The last time I was in Paris!" Then she said "no, it was just in a box of stuff I bought. Isn't it a great postcard? I don't know who the lady on the front is, but she signed the back. I just can't read her writing."
I smiled and gave her the $10 and walked away..
I felt compelled to go back and tell her it was Elvis' signature and not the lady on the front. I felt kinda bad that I didn't tell her, so I decided to give it to Elvis Presley's #1 fan of all time, My Mom.
On a side note, I was 10 when my friend next door came over to where I was playing in the yard and said " Did you hear that Elvis Died today?" The first thing that I thought was, "Oh no, I wonder if Momma knows." I ran in the house and saw her curled up in a ball on the chair, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yep, She knows.
She was touched that I wanted her to have it.

Anyway, I did some research, and here it is.

I found this on elvispresleynews.com


Elvis In Paris - June 1959 -June 21, 1959 - Elvis, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike and Rex Mansfield flew a chartered plane to Paris. The gang went to the Lido nightclub and upon spotting Elvis called him to the stage where he played an impromptu piano version of "Willow Weep for Me" The boys visited the Lourve, the Eiffel Tower and stayed in the hotel de Galles. At nights they frequented the Folies-Bergere, the Moulin Rouge & 4 O'clock Club where they conned the entire cast back to their hotel. The 10 day trip cost $10,000 which Elvis paid in full


I don't know what it is worth, it doesn't matter. It will never leave my family, but it is exciting to find something like this in a garage sale.

This is a great example that great finds are still out there, you just have to get out there and dig.

Even if you don't find anything, looking for antiques with people that you love is always time well spent.