Gilding Tools for Sign Painters

Joe Balabuszko

Video tutorial explaining the proper tools needed for great sign paintng projects.

Joe Balabuszko was born in Scotland, raised in England, and moved to the United States as a teenager. He got married, joined the army, and raised two kids in the Chicago suburbs. He currently lives in the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

In 1973 he began his career in sign painting, doing a five year apprenticeship with five years of night school to learn the trade, and was a member of the Chicago Local 830 Sign and Pictoral painter’s union until his retirement in 2012.. In his career, he focused on sign painting and gilding as much as possible. His favorite project wasr the Chicago Stock Exchange in 1992: The job was two foot high 23k gold letters 110 feet above the Congress Expressway in downtown Chicago. He remains active in the sign painting and gilder’s community, working with Colleagues of Calligraphy, the Society of Gilders, and various charity organizations, including as a founding member of the Chicago Brushmasters. He remains committed to the craft of gold leaf gilding, and enjoys sharing his practical knowledge with others!

Please contact the teacher with any questions at misterbalabuszko@gmail.com