A Born and Bred, London Signwriter.
The Difference is found in the hours of Training, Life and Love.
CV Nick Garrett
My name is Nick Garrett aka NGS. A dedicated, London Signwriting and Gold Leaf Gilding artist, specialising in traditional, retro and modern work. Started out as a fine art student at Camberwell, working in the community, adventure playground builder meets art teacher across Brixton and Peckham, South London. Decided to be a sign painter after 2 years and started by gilding pubs for Watneys all over London. Retired at 27 to jump in a rocket and become a rock star, recording with some greats in Abbey Road studios, but missed the brush and sanity. Restarted 3 years later and headed to Cayman Thailand, then Australia then Italy after nursing and losing my first born daughter Jessica in 91. Smashed by grief, worked freelance graphics, product dev/design. Invited on contract to China in 96, for10 years as Exhibition and Furniture big wig designer, coming back to UK and continuing lettering in 2012. Lived with family in Italy until it suddenly, shockingly ended leaving me homeless in London. Painting the beauty into London ever since with Seraina. Now living in artful Cliftonville, Margate.
The brush is mighty. The heart mightier.
1977-78 – Play worker Southwark, all Adventure Playground sites.
1979 – Youth worker Mayal Road Childrens House Brixton.
1979 – Youth worker Loughborough Adventure Playground Brixton.
1979 – Youth worker Streatham Youth Center.
1980 – Graduated 1st class Honours Fine Art (first prize)
1981 – Trainee signwriter with Andy Whitmore, Andiz signs.
1982-9 – Freelancing as sign designer and writer Watney, Ind Coope Taylor Walker (Allied Breweries)
1986-96 – Paint finishes Designers Guild London.
1989 – Restoration finishing David Walter Timepieces Perth AU.
1996-2015 – HO Product design China Accent & Qool Tango HK
2001-3 – Aboriginal arts mentor, Perth AU
2005 – Senior Product designer Laura Ashley
2012 – 2025 Founded Food n Walk Tours Parma
2011 – present NGS Signwriting London
FINE ART STUDIES
Trained as a fine art painter and enjoyed immensely portraiture and life learning to paint with the post Euston Road school.
I was awarded first prize at graduation with honours degree at Camberwell School of art, London in 1981.
It’s probably true to say that being able to paint and draw portraits like this one below, made signwriting a slightly easier walk in the park… but on reflection it’s exactly the same path.
Lady in Lace. 1975-76. Pencil on paper – Nick Garrett.
The drawing required 6 different pencil types ranging from 3B to 6H. Approx the size of a postage stamp completed each week. 13 months start to finish.
TUTORS – WITH LOVE, THANKS & RESPECT
Eternally grateful to my mother Joyce and family.
A tremendous gratitude to all my art mentors, friends and tutors: Francis Baker (portrait below), Andrew Whitmore, Anthony Eyton, Nalda Searles, Panjiti Mary MacLean, Prof. Jill Millroy, Clive Garland, Will Petty, Oliver Wilkins, Ryan Pickard, Roger Leworthy, Jane Parkhouse, Sarah Raphael, Mario Dubsky, Seraina and Euan Uglow.
”I believe that fine art training sets you akin to Art and traditional Lettering History… I don’t think a Graphic Design training forges that same intimate connection… most past master sign writers started out looking at Trajan and Durer…”
Portrait of my grandfather Frank Baker Letter cutter. 1976. Oil on canvas – Nick Garrett.
Community work
Nick seen here marking out a mural panel created as tryptic for Agazzano Middle School in Piacenza Province Italy in 2019.
I started out teaching youngsters art in Mayall Road childrens house in Brixton and Streatham Youth centre in 78.
I’m always willing to assist charitable donation projects for schools, hospitals and welfare homes. In particular as part of PhD research I helped establish a revival of a local creative community and support for Noongar Aboriginal community in Perth Western Australia.
I always work from a place of love in the heart of London and rural high streets too: generosity and trust is what makes me tick… and the right team to work with.
Family history: full of Master London letterers.
My mother was a constant driving force encouraging me to draw and paint. I went on to hang by the knee of her dad while he crafted letters, and train with some of the country’s pre-eminent artists and craftsmen, who have reinvigorated this ancient skill of sign writing and fine art.
These artisans were intense and always demanded me to try way more than my hardest: old school, not always easy to work with, but they were incredibly special, honest, gifted people, who always saw things in high contrast.
”Never say you’ve done your best…”
Andrew Whitmore sign writer.
When I first got into signwriting in 1981 I thought most of the trade were either a painting stuff a bit over the top, tarty, gimmicky and circussy… I became highly critical of myself and others… I still am as it constantly forces me to improve.
Then there were a few utterly dedicated masters like Uglow and Sharpington that just made things appear simple, clean, beautiful… I chose those as my guides and influencers.
Nick Garrett
A MODERN LETTERING TEAM
Most days we are on site making somewhere in London becoming beautiful.
We invite confidence, with our depth of skills and dedication.
Warmth and trust with clients is very important to me:
I put my client first –
… always protecting their best interests.
”Seraina has a rare, similar drive and is able to convey great ideas. that build a genuine connection with client and audience”
We always bring a special gift to each project from our studio archives.
…as if it were our own.
King Charles II AstraZeneca Cambridge Research Centre (DISC) entrance statement | PROJECT LINK.
GENUINE QUALITY CHANGES LIVES
Whenever our clients ask for ‘the character of hand painted signage’, I know they have come to us with the right priorities onboard.
Because we only use artisan techniques, tools and materials, to create genuinely unique work.
We can say with confidence – your NGS sign is going to work magic for you and build your name… sometimes in the most unexpectedly special way
SIGNS: CONTINUALLY TALKING, WHISPERING, SINGING AND SHOUTING!
Hand painted signs are alive after 2 decades of decline. Once again the new audience understand how crafted letters stand out from mass produced, plastic and vinyl signs that blight many a high street.
In paint then, letters immediately become talkative, convincing, always providing that memorable personal voice and client connection. They are alive… and interact with people in unique, and special ways.
