Obituary: Sign painter Scott Martin was ‘an artist’ and ‘a fantastic guy’

Scott Martin was officially known as a sign painter but to those who knew him he was much more than that.

He was an artist.

Martin, who died of a heart attack at age 59 on Oct. 13, made exquisite and beautiful signs for businesses and homeowners (he created house numbers) that brought him raves like a classical artist.

He was not only a traditional sign writer, but a gilder and glass embosser.

People from across North American and as far away as England came to his workshops.

Scott also gained many special friends and students when he began offering workshops in sand lettering and gilding," said his wife Leslie, who called Martin an amazing and loving" husband.

He had a particular knack for making people feel at ease with his wonderful sense of humour."

After he died in October, a group of artists organized a tour to see some of his work on the streets of Hamilton. They visited such establishments as The French, The Ship, Salty Espresso and John Street Tattoo.

Many of us worked with him and it was really beautiful to share the stories of Scott's enthusiasm and energy," Collective Form said on an Instagram post.

He brought such a warmth to our city. We'll miss him."

Salty Espresso said on Instagram: We met Scott early upon moving to Hamilton when he painted our sign ... We were hooked and so excited to work with this true master."

Martin also did work outside of Hamilton, including such businesses as Floral Culture in Oakville, The Purple Potato Cafe in Action and Daddy's Butcher in Fergus.

Martin operated Brush Boys out of The Cotton Factory. The Sherman Avenue North facility houses 200 tenants, from artists to small companies.

Martin arrived in 2015 and Cotton Factory partner Rob Zeidler said he was one of the key people in the facility.

They were the most wonderful tenants to have," he said. There are certain people who are key, who set the tone for the place. He was actually like that. He was just such a fantastic guy."

He was a real believer in that old adage, If you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say anything at all.'"

Zeidler said it was fascinating" to watch him work.

He could attach mother of pearl, gold or silver on to the glass," he said. I don't know how he did it. It was amazing. Nothing was produced using a machine. Every piece was new. Everything was done by hand. It was a work of art. He really was an artist."

His wife and partner Leslie called Martin a gentleman.

If you brought someone into his studio, he would happily show them what he was doing," she said. People came from the United States and all over Canada to take lessons from him. Apart from being a beautiful person, he was a talented person."

Martin made signs for The Cotton Factory, including one that refers to the plant's former name, the Imperial Cotton Factory. Zeidler said it looks 120 years old.

Martin was born August 16, 1961 and grew up in Binbrook. He was one of three children born to Ross and Patricia Martin. His father worked in IT and his mother ran The Village Green Flower Shop. Martin attended Bellmore Public School and Saltfleet High School.

Friends on social media fondly recall times with Martin at the Binbrook United Church, the scouts and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Others talked about his kindness and how he helped them with business projects.

I was one of Scott's students at a winter signwriting session this past year," said Allison Brown. I had been waiting for years to learn from the master himself. He was such an awesome, kind human being and an amazingly talented sign maker."

For a time, Martin worked at Canada Systems Group, the former data processing centre in Mississauga, and ran his own IT consulting firm in Toronto. He started working in sign painting after taking a course at Mohawk College in 1987. He told The Spectator in 2017 he began with such signs as Fresh corn for sale."

His shop used to be in Millgrove. In 2011, his sons Simon and Matthew came on board. They saw a market in painting pinstripes on snowboards and helmets.

Martin called his chosen profession a long building passion" and said working with his sons was fun.

It's become nuts and an absolute passion and joy," he said.

Simon eventually left Brush Boys and went into marketing and advertising. The business also involved his wife Leslie and daughter Julia.

The family has shut down Brush Boys in the wake of Martin's death. Julia has carried on as Brush Gal.

Martin is survived by his wife Leslie, children Julia, Simon, Matthew, and two grandsons. He is also survived by his mother Patricia and stepfather Ron, brother Mike and sister Alyson. He was predeceased by his father Ross, who died in 2012.

Daniel Nolan can be reached at dannolanwrites@gmail.com