I'd been feeling sad every time I saw my friends' farm delivering their veg boxes from an unmarked white van like some fly-by-night upstart, although they've been working hard at this for over 21 years. Ashurst Organics started up the first box scheme in this area way back when such things were pretty well unknown but their first van, painted with their name and number, had long since failed its MOT and subsequent vans were either short-lived replacements or hire vans, so obviously couldn't have their info painted on.
It suddenly occurred to me that I'd seen removable magnetic signs on other vehicles, and maybe I could make them a temporary one they could use for the time being. I found magnetic sheet online, and then began the fun of working out how to do it, as the surface is shiny vinyl which won't even take a pencil mark, nor would most paints adhere well to my little test piece.
It suddenly occurred to me that I'd seen removable magnetic signs on other vehicles, and maybe I could make them a temporary one they could use for the time being. I found magnetic sheet online, and then began the fun of working out how to do it, as the surface is shiny vinyl which won't even take a pencil mark, nor would most paints adhere well to my little test piece.
 |  | So I drew the lettering full-scale on sturdy A3, cut each one out with a knife to make a stencil, laid it on the vinyl and traced inside all of the 77 shapes with a fine-point Sharpie. Then it was on with the Hammerite, following my lines by hand with this rather hard-to-work green paint. |
The carrot leaves were too tricky to pre-prepare with a stencil, so had to be simply painted straight on with the same thick, unwieldy Hammerite, hoping for the best. Having never done anything like this before, the first strokes were scary and terribly unpromising but the end result turned out decent enough to do for now - whew!
Next will be a big boxful of their luscious veg painted on another panel to go alongside one of these on the back of the van, more a proper illustration than just one carrot. This should be done before the end of the month when deliveries start up again after their very short break. Watch this apace, and if you're not too far from Plumpton you can order your box here!
Next will be a big boxful of their luscious veg painted on another panel to go alongside one of these on the back of the van, more a proper illustration than just one carrot. This should be done before the end of the month when deliveries start up again after their very short break. Watch this apace, and if you're not too far from Plumpton you can order your box here!
