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Custom Mirrors |
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Custom Glass Signs |
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About Roderick Treece |
Roderick Treece is the owner of Custom Glass Signs,
located in Encinitas, California. He is a fifth generation
Californian, descended from the pioneers of the infamous
Donner/ Reed party who attempted to cross the Sierra Nevada
at Donner pass in the terrible winter of 1849.
Roderick’s father was the director of the graphics
department at the world famous Knott’s Berry Farm,
which was also one of the first amusement parks in California.
Roderick would accompany his father to work, arriving
there at 6:30 in the morning, which gave Roderick plenty
of time to wander around the park unsupervised. It wouldn’t
take long before he was picked up by security guards,
and dragged back to the sign shop where his father was
working. For the rest of the day, to keep him out of trouble
his dad would have him repaint perfectly good signs, under
the guise that they needed a color change. Getting into
trouble, or rather staying out of trouble, was why he
learned to paint signs.
It seemed natural to become a sign painter like his father,
but in high school Roderick discovered photography, and
that evolved into an interest in the broader fine arts.
It was while studying art and photography at Orange Coast
College that Roderick realized he could make a life of
commercial and fine art.
From those auspicious beginnings was born Studio
Zero, which for the past twenty five years
has been providing clients all over the world with hand
painted signs, TV news cast back drops, trade show booths,
and interior and exterior decorative finishes. Working
in a wide variety of mediums has enabled Roderick to
develop the capacity to design and create an almost
limitless array of unique products. Completed projects
include sculpting an eight foot tall cell phone out
of high density foam for a Boost Mobile display. The
phone included illuminated buttons and a functional
LED screen. Gotcha sportswear commissioned a giant harlequin
head for a trade show booth. The model was sculpted
in clay and the booth was constructed of plywood, chicken
wire, sculpted foam and fabric. The mouth of the harlequin
was a full size entry way to the booth.
Despite all the different mediums Roderick worked in,
he always had a special affinity for working with glass.
Perhaps it was his father’s influence, who taught
Roderick an appreciation for guilding and having respect
for the disappearing arts of the old sign painters.
His travels to Italy and Indonesia deepened this interest.
The back painted glass of the Café Florin in
Venice, the guilded signs of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence,
and the reverse back painted glass of Bali, inspired
him to research these glass techniques that were in
danger of becoming obsolete. His search led him to the
master craftsman, Rick Glawson, who was willing to share
his knowledge and expertise in the art of glass signs.
Rick was one of the founders of the Letterhead Society,
a group of sign artist who are dedicated to rediscovering
and preserving long lost techniques and materials. Nurtured
by these relationships, Roderick has dedicated himself
to the art of glass signs.
Roderick’s biggest passion has been glass signs.
While building his own house and coming down to the finishing
touches, it was apparent that there where quite a few
opportunities for glass pieces. “I designed and
fabricated mirrors for my wife’s bathroom and closet.
We included transom window areas above the doors that
where perfect for glue chipped windows.” It was
at that time Roderick thought it would be good to focus
on making custom glass signs and mirrors. “Being
able to utilize all the years of experience working with
different kinds of materials to be able to make custom
glass piece is a dream come true.” Roderick has
completed custom glass signs and mirrors for interior
designers, restaurants, bars and private homes across
the United States. |
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