Thoughts on signatures June, 2009
Obviously a signature is very personal and there are many ways to sign a painting. It took me a while to find my painting signature.
Foremost, I do not want my signature to be so noticeable that it is the first thing one would see upon viewing a painting. I prefer the signature to become an integral part of the painting. I also favor a signature that looks like a signature not like some childish block printing or overly stylized doodle one cannot recognize. I practiced my painting signature for some time until I was satisfied with the results and until it became easy and natural.
Using a small fine brush and plenty of painting medium, I sign my painting as if I painted calligraphy each letter at the time carefully copying my model signature. My signature is not very big and blends in. I choose a color in harmony or in pleasant contrast with the colors in the painting. Once a painting is signed, I habitually write on the back the dimensions, medium and title. This is a good habit that will make record keeping and cataloguing so much easier. While I predominantly sign on the bottom right corner, the placement may vary and I have signed paintings on the bottom left, the top right or left and even on the back. When a painting is very small I’ll either sign it on the back or use just the first two letters of my name on the front. A painting signature does require some planning, thought and awareness. While highly personal and by no means trivial, signing your art is an affirmative act of ownership.
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