John Seastrunk

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The Bold Italic captured the story of John Seastrunk, a San Francisco window sign painter, who grew up in the Bayview.

Here's a taste of the story: "John grew up in Bayview, and though he’s lived elsewhere, he stays there now. After seeing him at St. Francis, we meet up a few days later at the intersection of 3rd Street and Palou, in his neighborhood. When I spot him, he’s halfway through a Mother’s Day sale sign on the windows of a dollar store. His briefcase of paints is propped open on a stool. We find a sunny spot to sit across from a nail studio and a cash-checking store John had long since lettered, and I quickly learn that hanging out at a street corner with John in Bayview is like appearing with a celebrity. I feel a little out of the loop. Everyone knows him, and people who don’t know him, know his work. During our conversation, I begin to scratch the surface of a San Francisco institution."

Go read the full tale! www.thebolditalic.com/twiles/stories/1999-glass-candy