Hardluck Studios Custom Signs & Graphics

06/08/2026

One of the reasons I LOVE MY JOB is the varied, unique, subject matter I get to paint, and the materials I get to paint on, as well as the many different personalities I get to visit with! It keeps it ALL fresh, fun, and challenging!!! This was a quick last minute project for a weekend Birthday present. This is a thick Faux Leather panel that gets mounted in a "Stretching Frame", think drying and tanning hides. A bit challenging with the embossed texture and not being able to fix any mistakes very easily. Never the less, I enjoyed creating it immensely, and it kept cracking me up as I worked on it.

06/08/2026

The winner of this years favorite 50% OFF Reflective hand made Cabin/House Signs goes to FLOAT PLANE PARADISE sign!!! This was a really fun little sign! I love my job!!! I make these all year round at $150.00, but have a 50% OFF SALE every spring!!!

05/31/2026

05/26/2026

My shop is still in an uproar, but all of that paint fit! I had to add some new shelving, but it ALL FIT! Amazing!!! And, it is all organized by color and type. I guess I am all set for lettering and graphics paint for quite some time. Most of it is the "GOOD" paint too, if you know what I mean!!!

05/21/2026

The Sign Gods have been kind to me this week! Changing priorities, and family tragedies are some things we all have to deal with from time to time. It is not an easy time for a caring person. At times like these some people find an abundance of kindness and grace! This is the situation I have recently experienced. The old long established Vital Signs sign shop has permanently closed now for the above stated reasons. The original founder of the company is here to liquidate, clean, and complete all those hard tasks that come with the end of an era. I was contacted by the founder (Glen Pardy) asking if I was interested in purchasing any sign equipment and paint. I had to tell him I was financially unable to purchase anything at the moment. He said just come by and see. So I did. Here is the Extreme Grace part of the story. He gave me ALL this PAINT and TOOLS for FREE!!! Except for the clamps, and an brand new Dremel 3000 tool. I gave them a $130.00 for those. I am officially paint supply RICH!!! I am in awe of their grace, and generosity!!! Thank you so much guys!!! now to figure out how to sort it all in my 19 ft. x 18 ft. shop.

05/08/2026

FUN!!! Another successful project in the books.

05/05/2026

Todays little project is a couple of 12 inch x 18 inch reflective vinyl covered aluminum street signs lettered and simply decorated for a new client! Fun Quick and very functional. These are currently being offered on sale, at this size, for $75.00 each. That is a 50% discount from the regular price I charge. Supply is very limited as these were all given to me years ago by a very good friend and mentor Mike Brooks!

05/05/2026

FUN and Done!

05/05/2026

Fun and Challenging!!! This is probably the most difficult restoration I have completed so far in my career. Poor old sign was dry, dry, dry, cracked and checked, missing wood and features, peeling SPAR varnish and paint. Whew. Probably the single most rough surface I have ever painted on. In some places like sandpaper. All missing wood and element pieces were recreated and repaired with West Systems Epoxy Resin. Likewise, all deep cracks and checks were stabilized by filling them with the same epoxy. Where epoxy was not needed, imperfections were filled and repaired with a plastic polymer wood puddy. All paint is Sherwin Williams Industrial oil Enamel, 1Shot and Ronan Sign Enamels. After stabilizing and repairing everything I put 3 coats of Spar Varnish on as a base layer for the paint. I LOVE MY JOB!!!