Obituary: Sign painter Scott Martin was ‘an artist’ and ‘a fantastic guy’

Scott Martin was formally often known as an indication painter however to those that knew him he was rather more than that.

He was an artist.

Martin, who died of a coronary heart assault at age 59 on Oct. 13, made beautiful and delightful indicators for companies and householders (he created home numbers) that introduced him raves like a classical artist.

He was not solely a standard signal author, however a gilder and glass embosser.

Individuals from throughout North American and as distant as England got here to his workshops.

“Scott additionally gained many particular buddies and college students when he started providing workshops in sand lettering and gilding,” stated his spouse Leslie, who known as Martin an “superb and loving” husband.

“He had a selected knack for making individuals really feel relaxed together with his fantastic sense of humour.”

After he died in October, a bunch of artists organized a tour to see a few of his work on the streets of Hamilton. They visited such institutions as The French, The Ship, Salty Espresso and John Road Tattoo.

“Many people labored with him and it was actually lovely to share the tales of Scott’s enthusiasm and power,” Collective Kind stated on an Instagram put up.

“He introduced such a heat to our metropolis. We’ll miss him.”

Salty Espresso stated on Instagram: “We met Scott early upon shifting to Hamilton when he painted our signal … We have been hooked and so excited to work with this true grasp.”

Martin additionally did work exterior of Hamilton, together with such companies as Floral Tradition in Oakville, The Purple Potato Café in Motion and Daddy’s Butcher in Fergus.

Martin operated Brush Boys out of The Cotton Manufacturing facility. The Sherman Avenue North facility homes 200 tenants, from artists to small corporations.

Martin arrived in 2015 and Cotton Manufacturing facility companion Rob Zeidler stated he was one of many key individuals within the facility.

“They have been probably the most fantastic tenants to have,” he stated. “There are specific people who find themselves key, who set the tone for the place. He was really like that. He was simply such a incredible man.”

“He was an actual believer in that previous adage, ‘In the event you don’t have one thing good to say about somebody, don’t say something in any respect.’”

Zeidler stated it was “fascinating” to look at him work.

“He might connect mom of pearl, gold or silver on to the glass,” he stated. “I don’t understand how he did it. It was superb. Nothing was produced utilizing a machine. Every bit was new. Every thing was executed by hand. It was a murals. He actually was an artist.”

His spouse and companion Leslie known as Martin a gentleman.

“In the event you introduced somebody into his studio, he would fortunately present them what he was doing,” she stated. “Individuals got here from the US and throughout Canada to take classes from him. Other than being a stupendous particular person, he was a gifted particular person.”

Martin made indicators for The Cotton Manufacturing facility, together with one which refers back to the plant’s former title, the Imperial Cotton Manufacturing facility. Zeidler stated it seems 120 years previous.

Martin was born August 16, 1961 and grew up in Binbrook. He was one among three youngsters born to Ross and Patricia Martin. His father labored in IT and his mom ran The Village Inexperienced Flower Store. Martin attended Bellmore Public College and Saltfleet Excessive College.

Buddies on social media fondly recall instances with Martin on the Binbrook United Church, the scouts and the Royal Hamilton Gentle Infantry. Others talked about his kindness and the way he helped them with enterprise initiatives.

“I used to be one among Scott’s college students at a winter signwriting session this previous yr,” stated Allison Brown. “I had been ready for years to be taught from the grasp himself. He was such an superior, form human being and an amazingly gifted signal maker.”

For a time, Martin labored at Canada Programs Group, the previous knowledge processing centre in Mississauga, and ran his personal IT consulting agency in Toronto. He began working in signal portray after taking a course at Mohawk Faculty in 1987. He informed The Spectator in 2017 he started with such indicators as “Recent corn on the market.”

His store was once in Millgrove. In 2011, his sons Simon and Matthew got here on board. They noticed a market in portray pinstripes on snowboards and helmets.

Martin known as his chosen career “a protracted constructing ardour” and stated working together with his sons was enjoyable.

“It’s turn into nuts and an absolute ardour and pleasure,” he stated.

Simon ultimately left Brush Boys and went into advertising and marketing and promoting. The enterprise additionally concerned his spouse Leslie and daughter Julia.

The household has shut down Brush Boys within the wake of Martin’s dying. Julia has carried on as Brush Gal.

Martin is survived by his spouse Leslie, youngsters Julia, Simon, Matthew, and two grandsons. He’s additionally survived by his mom Patricia and stepfather Ron, brother Mike and sister Alyson. He was predeceased by his father Ross, who died in 2012.