Meet Dan “DUNN” Ericson | Artist – The Signtologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan “DUNN” Ericson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan “DUNN”, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To treat my craft more professionally as less of a hobby and more of a business. I wanted to protect myself and my work in hopes of ensuring longevity while I explored this medium.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been working with street signs in a fine art capacity for 20+ years. It has been an ever evolving study and constant learning process. I have shown my work across the country in solo and group shows. My art has been featured on TV, music videos and in national & international publications. I have been blessed with collectors from around the globe and all walks of life. I’m Daniel “DUNN” Ericson A.K.A The Signtologist

I grew up in Denver, attended Colorado Art Institute and I got my start creating a weekly published and eventually award winning comic strip. I also dabbled in graphic design for local bands. In 2000, I decided to go back to college and learn more about graphic & industrial design. I stumbled onto this new medium creating portraits with street signs. I was making something foreign to the art scene that didn’t fit in a certain box. Trial and error proved to be my best teacher. I tested materials using whatever was available at the time. My knowledge of signs grew with the more I encountered. I became The Streetsignartist

Finding venues to display my work was difficult at first. Denver at this point was still in cowtown mode, nothing like its art scene today. Thanks to places like Cafe Cero’s and Dazzle Jazz, I was able to display my work. I began networking with fellow artists and galleries. I was fortunate to get some press and started to create a buzz. I was booking & hanging shows, conducting interviews, branding myself, writing press releases, and creating art. I had gotten my artwork into the hands of legends in the Hip Hop world by this point. I felt like I had paid some dues and earned clout as a creative in my hometown. I became The Signtologist

At that point in my art career, I needed to figure out some legal issues with the art scene like copyright laws, etc. I felt the need to protect my self and my work. I formed a LLC with a partner, called Signtology. I was wearing more hats than ever before for the business. I became a Business Owner.

After investing in a website, merchandise and some copyrights, I lined up some press to drop the line of shirts. A shirt made it in the XXL magazine fashion edition on the same page as Nike and Levi’s. I couldn’t have ask for a better placement but the graphic on the t-shirt was covered & nothing came of the feature. The business took a financial hit. I shifted gears and had a humbling learning experience. I became sole proprietor of the business & had to pivot in what I was doing. I became more focused on how this business endeavor hindered or helped my family and relationships. In October of 2010, I got married and was at a high point in my life. I became a Husband, Father and Provider.

Back in control of my dreams I dove back into creating and networking. I was riding a wave of momentum and started showing my work around the country. I was offered representation by gallerist Richard Beavers in Brooklyn, New York. I thought I had made it as an artist as I shared the news with my friends and family. I was proud of this accomplishment and honored to show next to artists I looked up to and admired. I became Dan Ericson the Artist

I currently have an art studio in Ruby Hill. Two years ago I started a position in a sign shop at Colorado Barricade. I am now able to create artwork in a capacity like never before. Combining my creations with traditional sign making techniques and new technologies, The ability to reproduce my work has become streamlined. I’ve learned to apply the same mass production principals to my designs. I became a Sign Shop Specialist.

One of my favorite projects was being a part of a group show presented by Optimo for the 25th anniversary of the “Ready to Die” album with the Biggie Smalls estate. I’ve had my art simultaneously displayed on both coasts. My artwork hangs in the homes of doctors, athletes, actors and musicians. I’ve shown art along side my idols, my mother, and I love to create art with my two boys and even had a show with my oldest son. My work is in the permanent collections at the Universal Hip Hop Museum In New York, as well as Smithsonian affiliate at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City and in Denver in various venues including Hazel, The Preservery, Brutal Poodle and backstage at Levitt Pavillion. Every goal I set for myself has been met or exceeded, so I continue to reach higher, learn more and challenge myself. I am grateful for all the experiences and friends I have made along the way. I’m excited to see what I become and create next on this journey. Follow along on my social media accounts and at www.thesigntologist.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Go to my younger brother Scott’s two restaurants. Del Mar in Denver and Rooted Craft American Kitchen in Boulder.

Hit First Friday make the rounds to a few art districts & galleries.

Have brunch at The Preservery and check out murals in the neighborhood.

Grab a pint at The Empourium Brewing Company and check out the Tennyson Art District.

Rock out and grab a meal at the Brutal Poodle.

Do some arts and crafts over drinks at Hazel Art Bar.

Catch some shows at Levitt Pavilion.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To Gigi, Omen, Noah, Uno, B8ty and the rest of my family & artist friends

Website: www.thesigntologist.com

Instagram: @thesigntologist

Linkedin: Dan (DUNN) Ericson

Twitter: @thesigntologist

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/THESIGNTOLOGIST/

Other: Tik Tok: @thesigntologist