Olema Inn

Olema, California

Painted MDO, gold leaf on glass.

The new owners of this venerable inn approached me with a drawing that a self-styled “artist” had scratched out in pen-and-ink, at first glance completely unsuitable for sign work. But I was able to make something of it that was not too much of a nightmare to render in enamel, as can be seen in multiple versions here (the images were intended to represent a blackberry bush through four seasons).

Upper left is the main sign, two-sided and quite large and heavy. The two corner signs—visible from both Highway One and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, are made from 3/4" MDO, with stainless eyebolts set into the wood securely with nuts and washers (the latter hidden from view).

Right top is the entrance door, with its classic gold leaf and black enamel. Rendering the logo in gold was a challenge that I relished, not seeing that much call for gold any more.

Below that is a two-sided sandwich board from MDO, with 3/8" MDO panels hanging on it as needed. Below that is a “Pets Welcome” sign, also in MDO (the paw prints are mine).

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