From The State Journal Register Springfield, Illinois, Photo by T.J. Salsman/The State Journal Register July 24, 2004 caption reads: FranCisco Vargas of Fresno, Calif. puts the finishing touches on a Falstaff Beer mural Friday on the side of the Alley Bi Saloon in Lincoln. Vargas and several other artists converged on Lincoln to paint murals as part of the Lincoln Wall Dogs project.
Here is a copy of what was sent to him by Mike Meyer. FranCisco wanted to give the artist homage so he contacted the web site master John Smallshaw, http://falstaffbrewing.com Unfortunately the artist remains unknown. His instructions was to add Alley-Bi Saloon in the shield, and if possible change some of the colors. FranCisco made the pattern in Fresno and took it with him on his flight. He didn't have time to paint a mock up so colors where chosen on the spot. This 8'x12' sign was painted with the assistance of his two torpedoes...Jeff Ogden of Gainsville, FL, Dale Manor of Menomonie, WI. whom he met at the project site.
Both these guys are high caliber sign artists. They made the project smooth coasting, as you see to your left "duct tape" holding the hang rails for the scaffolding, we did what we had to do and nobody complained about the circumstances. True Wall Dogs! Also two others great sign artists Carole Bersin of Minneapolis, MN and Dave Parr of Peoria, IL. Also included in this project are a few other murals that was painted that same week by other sign artists.
Dave Parr is the cool guy in blue.
Capt. Mike Meyer happen to pass by so we got him in the picture, Carol is the
lady next to me, along with Dale and Jeff.
Painted by Andy and Lorie Goretsci of Tomahawk, Wis. There were many others who assisted on this project, sorry at this time I don't have the size or all the names.
Lincoln Courier Newspaper says Project leader Mathew Rolli, left, and Scotman Scott Telfer trace letters atop The Courier building. The Letterheads say their jobs as sign painters tend to be quite solitary, so the chance to meet and paint in teams makes the work even more enjoyable. photo by Ann Klosse
Project leader on the Coca Cola sign was Scot Telfer, from Scotland-UK
Project leader on the Cities Service was Stewart McLaren, also from Scotland-UK
PPhotos by Ann Klose, Lincoln Courier
Joe Pelc, of Lincoln took a lift up the wall at McEntires Appliances to add his touch to the "remake of a sign he originally painted 63 years ago." Joe, a local retired sign painter, but still can still handle that brush. With him is Mike Meyer.
Project leader Michael Clark of Aledo, Il
Project leader, Brian O'Prey of Ireland-UK
Project leader, Cam Bortz, of Connecticut
This one was a surprise mural, done in a day and a half
The troops who painted the town in Lincoln, IL