A craftsman who carries on the tradition of truck lettering into the modern age / A stroll through New York

New York City was once filled with hand-painted lettering by artisans. Now, sign painter John Voxel is reviving this tradition, which is on the verge of disappearing with the tide of time, and passing it on to the next generation. We delved into the stoic yet warm creative process behind him, as he loves old signs, has learned the techniques of nameless predecessors, and has a deep understanding of Japanese Zen and calligraphy.

"I respect the lettering on the trucks I saw in the city where I grew up, and the styles of the masters of sign making," John says. His work, in particular, evokes a nostalgic yet fresh "memory of New York."

There were once legendary truck lettering artists in New Jersey and New York. John learned their techniques through self-study, and sometimes from old textbooks. "In high school, I was just tracing and filling in the shapes of the letters. But then I came across a book that showed the order of the brush strokes, and everything changed."

John's philosophy at Hand Signs is remarkably simple: to create unique lettering for every shop, car, or boat. "Instead of choosing from existing fonts on a computer, I compose each letter by hand, stroke by stroke," says John. His style is incredibly dynamic, blending the logical beauty of graphic design with the intuitive movements of a craftsman.

His work ranges from the facades of upscale Manhattan restaurants to wooden yachts over 125 years old, and even vintage cars he worked on in Korea. What I found particularly interesting was his creative process.

When creating design proposals, he minimizes preliminary sketches as much as possible, and on-site, he simply draws top and bottom guidelines, then works with his brush to convey the client's vision and the energy of the moment within that space—a technique he calls "scratch layout." The lettering is not overly perfect, yet it has a live feel to it. It is art brimming with vitality that can only be born in that moment, in that place.

This beauty, which transcends calculation, is deeply connected to John's recent practice of Zen meditation and his interest in Japanese calligraphy. "Just like with calligraphy, if you try to draw well by thinking about it, it won't work. It's important to empty your mind and achieve a state of 'mindlessness' where your body and brush become one." John says he loves the feeling of receiving the energy of the artist from the characters written on the noren (curtain) of a Japanese shop when he passes through it. Listening to his words, you become convinced that the reason his signs attract people in the city is not simply because of his "technique," but because of the "spirit" or "energy" that lies beneath them.

John is now also working to pass on his skills to the next generation. His words, "Craft is a dialogue with those who came before us, and with someone in the future," truly reflect the spirit of his mother, whom he respects and who was skilled at tailoring. "My mother sewed everything herself, making everything from sofas to cushions by hand. For her, it wasn't anything special; it was just an everyday activity she did because she wanted to. That spirit is my starting point."

In an age overflowing with uniform lettering created by AI, he deliberately continues with time-consuming "handicrafts." He believes that this is a way of participating in the "chain of human activity" that stretches from the past to the future.

You'll have a chance to experience John's brushwork firsthand in Japan in the latter half of 2026 in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Sapporo. The exhibition, titled "Repeaters," will showcase his original works, based on the hand-painted sign-making techniques using flat brushes and pointed pens, and incorporating a lot of body movement and curves. Having been impressed by the high quality of Japanese pottery and carpentry, he respects the traditions he cultivated in New York, yet he frees himself from conventions to create vibrant, lively brushstrokes. Be sure to experience his unique energy with all your senses at the venue. Details will be updated regularly on Instagram. Workshops are also planned during the exhibition period, making it a valuable opportunity to directly experience his techniques.

http://www.handsigns.info/

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Takashi Ikezawa

Following the policy of "I only do what I love," I run RESOBOX, a Japanese cultural space in New York, the land of freedom. My hobbies are mountain climbing, Iaido (Japanese sword drawing), and playing the violin. I also host a podcast called "All Night New York" with two other Japanese men living in NY. Please check it out!