I have so many stories about painting billboards. One thing I can say for sure is that I had many opportunities to work with some excellent artists in that industry. In Temple, some of the artists I worked with were Marsha Green, Craig Smith, Trinda Stubblefield, Tonya {can't remember her last name}. There were many more.... Most billboards were 14' x 48'. Some of them were part picture and part copy.  Some were all picture and some were all copy.  Anyway, it was definitely a physical job and an artistic job
The construction crew was integral and had to be considered at all times. When I first started we were using oil paint in big cans instead of the conventional tubes. Keith Johnson, our construction supervisor quickly put a stop to that! Because, you guessed it; the oil paint takes forever to dry.
One particular artist that I learned a lot from is a man named JR "Duke" Dukatnik. I didn't actually work with him because he did the entire billboard he painted all by himself. It was for Budweiser and it had rows and rows of beer bottles with chrome like helmets marching as soldiers. If any of you got to see it when he did it you could not help but be impressed.  Well, I was impressed and he used airbrushes and sprayers. Shortly after that, I went and bought an airbrush. The airbrush turned out to be something that I found no pleasure in using, but, I sure do respect that tool and those who master it.  As I said, I was only around him for a short time but, he was always forthcoming if I had a question and I did have questions of a seasoned artist.  So, thank you Duke!
There were other artists that they would bring in from time to time for certain jobs and I am grateful for the opportunity to be there and learn from them,  in those years.  I have truly learned from every person I have worked with!

Hello! This is Carrie May. I have been creating art for several decades. It is my desire to share some things I’ve experienced over the years. I’ve been employed as an artist painting, designing, murals, making patterns, sculpting, stained glass, restoration, illustration, jewelry, portraits...... anyway it occurred to me that I might have something to share....
So, here is my first attempt.
Aside from little characatures and cartoons as a grade school student for friends and family, my first job as an artist was painting billboards for Duplex Advertising in Temple, Texas. Duplex was a company that had been around since the 1920s and many of the billboards were still around from the 20s. I started working for Duplex in 1980. I started painting soft drinks, fast food, cars, beer, and many things on a very large scale. When I first started working there we were a branch of the company in Austin. Or that’s the way I remember it. I formed some bad habits that weren’t safe according to OSHA. But, OSHA stepped in and we all had to get used to wearing harnesses and rails attached to the scaffolding. That was hard. Over time we had some excellent artists come and go, mostly because of the height issue. For me, the heighth, was something that I liked.
I’ll finish with this:
Every job that I’ve ever had was not ideal. But, my experiences have been beneficial in helping me develop my skills as an artist and have given me life lessons. I mean every job.