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Nieman Eisman: The Unsung Maestro of Sideshow Banner Art In the golden age of American carnivals, one artist painted the pulse of public spectacle better than most. Nieman Eisman (active c. 1910–1956) was a Chicago‑based sideshow banner painter whose electrifying canvases brought the ballyhoo of the midway to vivid life. While names like Fred Johnson and Snap Wyatt often steal…
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Snap Wyatt: The Bold Brush of the Sideshow World Snap Wyatt: The Bold Brush of the Sideshow World In the colorful, gritty world of American circus and carnival history, few names stand as tall as Snap Wyatt. Born Charles J. Wyatt in 1905, he would become one of the most prolific and recognizable banner painters…
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Fred G. Johnson: The Grandfather of Sideshow Banner Art When we think of the golden age of American circus and carnival culture, vivid images of freak shows, daredevils, and exotic oddities come to mind—often accompanied by massive, colorful banners shouting promises of the unbelievable. Behind many of these hand-painted spectacles stood one man: Fred G.…
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The Story Behind the Snake Man’s Mural
The Story Behind the Snake Man’s Mural In October 2024, while driving down U.S. 355 in Frederick, Maryland, I passed by a building I’d seen countless times—Snake Man’s Tattoo & Piercing. The white brick wall on the side of the building had long been weathered by time. Its banner was faded, the surface dull, and…
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“A Dining Room That Rocks: Bringing the Universe to Life”
It all started with an invitation to a business card exchange. I hadn’t planned to attend, but as a first-time guest, I figured it was worth checking out. Little did I know, that decision would lead to one of the most creative projects I’ve ever tackled. As I mingled and introduced myself to new faces,…
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Imitation oak, Helena, MT
Restoring the Remington House: A Journey Through History in Helena, Montana In the spring of 2022, I had the privilege of restoring a piece of history in Helena, Montana. The project took me to the Remington House, a grand home on Helena’s Mansion Mile. Although the house isn’t widely documented, the story I was told…
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Pirate ship wreck mural
Frederick, MD In the fall of 2020, I got a call about a new seafood restaurant on Market Street in downtown Frederick. The owners were struggling with a long hallway connecting the front and back dining areas. They wanted something unique, so I suggested an interactive mural—a vibrant underwater shipwreck scene filled with hidden surprises…
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My First Anamorphic Chalk Street Art
Frederick City’s “First Saturday” is always a highlight, bringing people together with a different theme every month. When I heard the theme for this one was chalk art, I decided to give it a shot. Not just any chalk drawing, though—I wanted to create something big: my first anamorphic art piece. Anamorphic art, if you’ve…
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The Billard’s Room
Selma Mansion In the billiards room of Selma Mansion, we undertook a complete restoration of the plasterwork. All the original plaster was removed down to the lath, and we ensured the lath was securely affixed to the studs. To facilitate access to the ceiling, we constructed a “dance floor” — a scaffold system designed to…
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The Master Suite
Selma Farm True craftsmanship isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about the story, the traditions, and the tools that shape it. When we undertook the master bedroom project with a polished lime plaster finish in a rich wine-red hue, the process wasn’t just a technical exercise—it was a deep dive into centuries-old techniques passed down…
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