Will Sears and Ryan Adams both spent their formative years enamored by graffiti artwork and bold color, probably then unaware of how the art style would one day inform their daily work — and connect them to each other in a joint collaborative with their equally talented wives. The story of Portland, ME-based Better Letter […]

Will Sears and Ryan Adams both spent their formative years enamored by graffiti artwork and bold color, probably then unaware of how the art style would one day inform their daily work — and connect them to each other in a joint collaborative with their equally talented wives.
The story of Portland, ME-based Better Letter Hand Painted Signs begins with Will, who was born and raised in Philadelphia. “I grew up writing graffiti and painting, with strong interest in art and design,” he shares. “When an artist residency opportunity brought me to Maine in 2010, I discovered that Maine suited me, and made it my home. Shortly after arriving in Maine, I started a small hand painted sign company, called Better Letter Hand Painted Signs. One of my first jobs was at a friend?s new brewery, Oxbow Brewing Company, painting murals in their brew barn and signage around the property.” Will then brought on his wife, fine artist Tessa G. O’Brien, painter and muralist Ryan Adams, and his wife Rachel Adams, a painter. They form a collaborative of independent artists, sign painters and muralists who have worked with one anot...