Signpainter Carlos Aguilar began his career in art and lettering at the age of 13. Inspired daily by the art in Los Angeles, he began to recognize the beauty and unique style in signs and murals all over the city, and began to practice his craft in earnest. With over ten years in experience as owner of Sign Graf Custom Signs, Carlos has now opened El Sapo Studio, a collective of experienced sign artists who work to create the best custom sign work available. He specializes in custom type, hand lettering and graphics, modern and traditional designs.

Just rambling through Chinatown, North Beach, The Tenderloin…

Here’s another treasure from last weekend’s trip to the desert. This faded pink trailer sits about 6 miles west of Desert Hot Springs on Pierson Boulevard. The Flamingo Hotel and Spa is now defunct, and I could find out little about its history other than there was a small fire there in 2008. I love signs where the sign maker uses as many alphabets has he can. Look closely, and you can see the sign painter was quite skillful, and much of the lettering has been rendered with single strokes. I’m not sure, however, if a pink semi-trailer in a bleak landscape surrounded by razor wire is the best advertising vehicle for a relaxing spa experience.

The sign maker’s craft is not a retro obsession. A drive today through almost any thriving Los Angeles commercial neighborhood east of Fairfax will reveal a vibrant living culture of handmade sign painting. From the auto-body shops of Pico Boulevard, to the storefronts of South Crenshaw, to the richly painted storefront bodegas and restaurants from East Beverly Boulevard to Downtown, the sign maker’s craft is thriving.