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 1849Roderick’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.

Rod Treece - Sign Artist

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 StudioZero, 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 Cafe 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 were 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.