MORE THAN JUST A GUN SHOP

CLIENT & LOCATION

KATY KRANTZ FOR THE CITY OF CULVER CITY

1029 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

IG KATY KRANTZ

IG BROOKLYND WILDFLOWERS

Read about the project on the LA MAG

PROJECT VISION

When the City of Culver City acquired a former gun shop, artist Katy Krantz envisioned transforming its signage into something more positive. She reached out to me to create hand-painted lettering that would honor the building’s history while shifting its message.

CREATIVE APPROACH

Inspired by the original signs from the 1940s–1950s, I designed lettering that seamlessly blended with the era’s aesthetic, preserving the craftsmanship of the past while redefining the space with a new purpose. To maintain authenticity, every sign was entirely hand-drawn, with patterns prepared by hand—without the use of computers—ensuring the final work retained the imperfections and character of traditional sign painting.

A key element of the design was the LOVE sign, which was crafted using the same letterforms as the original GUNS sign, subtly rewriting the building’s past with a new message. On the back wall, the US was restored from the existing GUN sign, reinforcing the theme of transformation while preserving elements of the original typography.

This project was a collaboration with muralist @Brooklynd Wildflowers, where my lettering and her murals intertwined, seamlessly merging typography and imagery to create a cohesive, meaningful composition.

This is a tribute to the amazing community of Culver City.

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