Thom Piragnoli

Folly Beach, SC

At the age of 19, in 1971, I took a job as a Sign Painter, Billboards & Wall Signs, all of which required scaffolds & rigging experience. A few years later I applied for, tested for & received my riggers license. I worked for a few different shops, honing my skills by always watching & learning some of the "Old Timers" who were eager to pass on their knowledge. I made a living as a sign painter till 1994, when the industry started to change to Pre-printed Vinyl, that was hung by Sign Hangers. Suddenly we were talented Artisans, who were out of a job. I started a small painting company & did regular painting & the occasional mural & faux finishes till 2015 when I retired & left my company to my son. I moved to Folly Beach and one day, out of the blue ,in 2017 I decided to start a painting using billboard paint, plywood & other scraps, wood & metal I found on the streets. It was a challenge ,to scale down my work but I have been doing that for years now & enjoying every minute of it .