About

I am an artist and sign painter based in Portland, Oregon. When I’m not making art, I run a sign painting and design studio called Variety Shop with my wife Rachael Perisho. I started the sign painting business with my long time friend Jeffrey Sincich in 2014 under the name J&S Signs, and we worked together until he relocated to San Francisco in 2021.

My work depicts part imagined - part seen environments and still life scenes. In my paintings and drawings, curvy rounded shapes and repetition are a nod to art deco design and the shapes of vintage signs. Graphic shading and crisp lines in my work are inspired by mid century design and illustration. I lean heavily on these design elements to convey nostalgia and playfulness in my pieces. I enjoy the process of abstracting an object while still allowing the viewer to recognize what is being seen. In my drawings, I often use children’s stencils and colored pencils to build up images - creating a process of play and experimentation.

In my free time, I enjoy eating ice cream, going to estate sales and antique stores, spending a long time browsing in a grocery store, and going to the movies.

If you are interested in a piece or a commission, send me an email!

joshdstover@gmail.com