Expresh Letters Blog

Hand-painted Tiger Head Battery

2012-02-02T08:07:00.001-08:00

Hand-painted African sign, a photo by sharp-sharp on Flickr.

Bad day, Res

2012-02-02T07:56:00.001-08:00

Bad day Subway, a photo by Res10 CAB on Flickr.

Gary Tabs

2012-01-31T10:09:00.001-08:00

Gary Tabs, a photo by AVK_ONE on Flickr.

Gary MSK HA

2012-01-31T10:07:00.001-08:00

Gary MSK HA, a photo by AVK_ONE on Flickr.

READ

2012-01-31T10:03:00.001-08:00

READ, a photo by dogslobber on Flickr.

Mecro CDC

2012-01-30T22:45:00.001-08:00

Mecro CDC, a photo by 208 Bench on Flickr.

Studio Visit: Greg Lamarche

2012-01-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Greg Lamarche

I got the chance to visit the studio of one of my favorites in both graffiti and fine art this last summer in New York. His collage work, his graffiti, and his work space are overflowing with typographic inspiration, excellent line quality, and tons of personal style. Without much introduction needed, Greg Lamarche is a lettering champ and you should keep an eye on his work.

You Collect tons of source material for youre collage work as well as for reference, How do you determine what gets cut and what gets saved?
Most everything gets cut up. In some cases the materials are too precious or rare to cut up so I store them in books and mainly use them for reference. That said I’ve been lucky to come up on multiples sometimes so I can save one or two copies and blaze through the rest to put in my work

In your pieces you can tell that you pay a lot of attention to detail in the letter structure, describe your sketching process for making letters...
I sketch everyday and I’m always working on compositions and new connections for making my own letters as well as working out ideas for my collage work. Symmetry is one if not the most important thing to me whether constructing a single letter or a cluster of letters. For me it has to have some balance even if the organization of the letters tapers off in one direction and another section is particularly dense.

What makes a letter interesting to you?
How much you can do with it. Abstracting, fragmenting and the negative spaces they create are some things I’m attracted to. The letter E is particularly sexy in that there seem to be endless ways to interpret it and you can bend it into almost anything.

Who do you look up to in terms of typography, any style, and as many people as you want to cite
Early on I was really influenced by Kurt Schwitters and how he made collages but also how he incorporated fragments of text into the compositions. Can’t think of any specific typographers but I was really into Roger Dean and the way he designed and connected letters. He had a very unique style that was not graffiti but shared some of the same attributes.

It goes without saying that the lettering in comic books was also a huge influence for me as well as rock band logos. For the most part I was influenced by the graffiti I saw growing up. People like Dondi, Lee, Baby 168, Rab Cac, just to name a few were masters of creating original letters and when I was a toy I definitely looked up to them for inspiration.

Info

Greg Lamarche | Website

Greg Lamarche | 12oz Prophet Blog

Greg Lamarche | Show and Tell Gallery

Greg Lamarche | Facebook

Interview and photographs by Kel Troughton, all writing and photographs may not be reproduced without permission of Expresh.com and your boy Greg Lamarche, Reblog this for days but cite your sources dogs. Expresh.com 2012

Rebecca

2012-01-29T12:24:00.001-08:00

, a photo by i.am.rebecca on Flickr.

Help the conductor 1942

2012-01-28T20:44:00.001-08:00

"Help the conductor" - London Transport poster by Austin Cooper, 1942, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

Cyclists' Guide 1900

2012-01-28T20:41:00.005-08:00

North Eastern Railway - Cyclists' Guide - 1900, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

East Coast Route 1900

2012-01-28T20:41:00.003-08:00

East Coast Route - railway guide to the London - Scotland route for the American market, c1900, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

North British Railway 1903

2012-01-28T20:41:00.001-08:00

North British Railway - tourist timetables - June 1903, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

Normandy & Brittany 1930

2012-01-28T20:40:00.003-08:00

"Normandy & Brittany" - Southern Railway booklet, 1930, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

"Southern Electric - Silver Jubilee 1935

2012-01-28T20:40:00.001-08:00

"Southern Electric - Silver Jubilee cheap tickets" - leaflet issued by the Southern Railway, 1935, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

Over The Points 1934

2012-01-28T20:39:00.003-08:00

Over The Points - Southern Railway of England magazine, June 1934, a photo by mikeyashworth on Flickr.

Hotel Metropole London

2012-01-28T20:39:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Gran Hotel Lincoln

2012-01-28T20:38:00.003-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Hotel Eden Rotterdam

2012-01-28T20:38:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

this above all 1942

2012-01-23T22:01:00.001-08:00

The Book of Love 1942, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

No Religion Crew,

2012-01-23T17:09:00.001-08:00

Enron, Honke, Jurne

Untitled, a photo by Heart of Oak on Flickr.

Dment, Jurne

2012-01-23T17:06:00.001-08:00

Dment, Jurne, a photo by Heart of Oak on Flickr.

American Book and Bible

2012-01-22T17:47:00.003-08:00

LH_American_Book_Santa, a photo by PopKulture on Flickr.

Hanley-Ruddel Tents

2012-01-22T17:47:00.001-08:00

tent_awning_letterhead, a photo by PopKulture on Flickr.

Anheuser-Busch Brewing

2012-01-22T17:46:00.001-08:00

Anheuser-Busch Brewing Assn St. Louis Lager Beer, a photo by carlylehold on Flickr.

1888 Cherokee Brewery Co

2012-01-22T17:45:00.001-08:00

1888 Cherokee Brewery Co St. Louis, a photo by carlylehold on Flickr.

1906 Buck Beer

2012-01-22T17:44:00.003-08:00

1906 Green Tree Brewery Buck Beer - Bock Beer St Louis, a photo by carlylehold on Flickr.

1882 Bock Beer

2012-01-22T17:44:00.001-08:00

1882 Jan 24 Bock Beer Lithograph, a photo by carlylehold on Flickr.

1899

2012-01-22T17:41:00.001-08:00

poster - medvedevi - 1899 - neizvestniy, a photo by sonobugiardo on Flickr.

1897 Bock Beer Pabst

2012-01-22T17:40:00.001-08:00

1897 April Famous Bock Beer from the Papst Zythepsary, a photo by carlylehold on Flickr.

Get more out of life

2012-01-22T15:56:00.001-08:00

18 Cups Per 18 Holes Of Golf, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Nemel

2012-01-22T15:55:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by kewlio on Flickr.

Radio

2012-01-22T13:58:00.003-08:00

Miracle, a photo by AA9UC on Flickr.

Tang

2012-01-22T13:58:00.001-08:00

Tang, a photo by AA9UC on Flickr.

Ferndell Coffee, 1930's

2012-01-22T13:56:00.001-08:00

Ferndell Coffee, 1930's, a photo by Roadsidepictures on Flickr.

Radiator Repair & Cleaner, 1921

2012-01-22T13:55:00.001-08:00

Radiator Repair & Cleaner, 1921, a photo by Roadsidepictures on Flickr.

Kraft Whipped Cream Cheese, 1960's

2012-01-22T13:54:00.001-08:00

Kraft Whipped Cream Cheese, 1960's, a photo by Roadsidepictures on Flickr.

trixter RF

2012-01-22T13:50:00.001-08:00

wrong side of the tracks, a photo by Mr. Trixter on Flickr.

Adek

2012-01-18T08:03:00.001-08:00

Adekonomics, a photo by sabeth718 on Flickr.

espresso

2012-01-14T17:42:00.001-08:00

espresso, a photo by M. Sullenteen on Flickr.

Nmph IPC HM

2012-01-14T08:07:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Heavy Metal Gang on Flickr.

Every

2012-01-13T20:08:00.003-08:00

Bendix Serves Them All, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Ginger Snap

2012-01-13T20:08:00.001-08:00

Ginger Snap , a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Texaco

2012-01-13T20:07:00.001-08:00

Texaco Teachs You To Count , a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Acapulco MX, typography signage

2012-01-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

Photographs of lettering around the zocalo in acapulco, Mexico 2008, Kel Troughton

Classic Hits: Classic Graffiti Book

2012-01-13T18:53:00.000-08:00

ROIDS MSK

2012-01-12T18:30:00.001-08:00

ROIDS MSK, a photo by Heavy Artillery on Flickr.

the Heat

2012-01-12T00:20:00.001-08:00

005 , a photo by Blazer. on Flickr.

Jeff Canham

2012-01-08T16:26:00.003-08:00

Jeff Canham, a photo by Best Dressed Signs on Flickr.

Dan Madsen

2012-01-08T16:26:00.001-08:00

Dan Madsen, a photo by Best Dressed Signs on Flickr.

Support

2012-01-08T16:25:00.001-08:00

SupportSignPainter3, a photo by Best Dressed Signs on Flickr.

Lucerne

2012-01-08T15:24:00.003-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Bahns Hotel

2012-01-08T15:24:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Let's Eat

2012-01-05T23:24:00.001-08:00

Let's Eat, a photo by Stefanie Poteet Photography on Flickr.

Chiquita

2012-01-05T08:05:00.001-08:00

Letras en la calle, a photo by Sebastian Vivarelli on Flickr.

100.000 Mark zuviel

2012-01-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

100.000 Mark zuviel, a photo by ● heikel p❤rn❤ tschordn ● on Flickr.

Halma

2012-01-05T08:00:00.001-08:00

Halma, a photo by ● heikel p❤rn❤ tschordn ● on Flickr.

Hindue Oner

2012-01-04T08:09:00.001-08:00

Hindue Oner, a photo by All Seeing on Flickr.

Cleaners

2012-01-03T18:43:00.001-08:00

Bread Truck, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

My Best Meat Recipes

2012-01-01T20:46:00.001-08:00

My Best Meat Recipes, a photo by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick? on Flickr.

Refrigerator for 1939

2012-01-01T20:35:00.001-08:00

The Beautful New Triple Thrift Refrigerators for 1939, a photo by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick? on Flickr.

Beautiful Louisville, Kentucky - America's Friendliest City

2012-01-01T20:34:00.003-08:00

Beautiful Louisville, Kentucky - America's Friendliest City, a photo by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick? on Flickr.

Capture Life! Action! Color!

2012-01-01T20:34:00.001-08:00

Capture Life! Action! Color!, a photo by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick? on Flickr.

The Beautiful Dells of the Wisconsin River

2012-01-01T20:33:00.001-08:00

Favorites of 2011: The Beautiful Dells of the Wisconsin River, a photo by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick? on Flickr.

Rocket Ship

2012-01-01T20:30:00.003-08:00

"Look! Up In The Sky!", a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Buck Rogers

2012-01-01T20:30:00.001-08:00

Not Duck Dogers, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

the Sin of Nora Moran

2012-01-01T20:28:00.001-08:00

A Surprisingly Tedious Morality Tale, a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

The Grapes of Wrath

2012-01-01T20:27:00.001-08:00

The Grapes of Wrath , a photo by paul.malon on Flickr.

Again Amsterdam

2011-12-29T23:08:00.001-08:00

Again Amsterdam, a photo by Amsterdam Graffiti on Flickr.

Viareggio - Hotel Continentale

2011-12-28T19:42:00.001-08:00

Viareggio - Hotel Continentale, a photo by Luggage Labels by b-effe on Flickr.

Zara - Albergo Roma

2011-12-28T19:41:00.003-08:00

Zara - Albergo Roma, a photo by Luggage Labels by b-effe on Flickr.

Hotel De Lille

2011-12-28T19:41:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Hotel Carner

2011-12-28T19:40:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by Art of the Luggage Label on Flickr.

Phats TMD

2011-12-28T19:38:00.001-08:00

Golden freshness, a photo by PHAT1 TMD on Flickr.

WST's got mad skills (Zone) 1995

2011-12-26T09:30:00.001-08:00

WST's got mad skills 1995, a photo by zoneism on Flickr.

Viser Fubar

2011-12-25T23:09:00.001-08:00

Untitled, a photo by kewlio on Flickr.

Doggie Diner bag

2011-12-25T11:36:00.001-08:00

Doggie Diner bag, a photo by wackystuff on Flickr.

Polythene Doll

2011-12-25T11:35:00.003-08:00

Wow, you don't see "Made in Hong Kong" anymore!, a photo by wackystuff on Flickr.

Betty Brite

2011-12-25T11:35:00.001-08:00

Buy stuff through the mail, a photo by wackystuff on Flickr.

5 cent deposit

2011-12-25T11:32:00.001-08:00

PHSB, a photo by cjwchico on Flickr.

United States Official Stamp: officially sealed

2011-12-25T11:31:00.001-08:00

United States Official Stamp: officially sealed, a photo by karen horton on Flickr.

Hungary Postage Stamp: owl

2011-12-25T11:30:00.003-08:00

Hungary Postage Stamp: owl, a photo by karen horton on Flickr.

Brazil postage stamp: red Correio

2011-12-25T11:30:00.001-08:00

Brazil postage stamp: red Correio, a photo by karen horton on Flickr.

Australia postage stamp

2011-12-25T11:29:00.003-08:00

Australia postage stamp: Centenary of Western Australia, a photo by karen horton on Flickr.

Zürich stamp sheet

2011-12-25T11:29:00.001-08:00

Switzerland postage stamps: Zürich centenarium sheet, a photo by karen horton on Flickr.

geso x sp one

2011-12-24T20:53:00.001-08:00

geso x sp one, a photo by Luna Park on Flickr.

Adek

2011-12-24T20:52:00.001-08:00

Adek, a photo by Now It's Real! on Flickr.

San Francisco Handstyles

2011-12-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

A few old photos and a few recent ones of nice handstyles around San Francisco California. Not a lot of busflows or classic city names, but some things that people may not have seen. Photos by Kel Troughton.