From Hallmark to neon signs: A look at Jim Parkinson's career in letter art
a day ago
- #Type Design
- #Obituary
- #Lettering Artist
- Jim Parkinson, a renowned lettering artist, type designer, and painter, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's, survived by his wife Dorothy A. Yule.
- Born in Oakland in 1941, he was inspired early by a 'Wizard Penman' neighbor, leading to a lifelong passion for lettering through self-study of historical styles.
- He studied design and painting, then worked at Hallmark Cards before thriving as a freelancer for over 50 years, specializing in diverse lettering projects like logos, typefaces, and magazine nameplates.
- His career spanned multiple fields, from creating fonts for Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times to painting vintage neon signs as fine art, based on road trip photos.
- Known for his welcoming nature and storytelling, he will be remembered through a memoir set for publication in 2026, with a memorial planned for fall and donations suggested to the Alzheimer's Association.