From Hallmark to neon signs: A look at Jim Parkinson's career in letter art

The lettering world is saying goodbye to Jim Parkinson, the Oakland artist whose hand-drawn words ended up everywhere from Hallmark cards to Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, circus ads, and even band logos. The article paints him as a once-in-a-generation maker of beautiful letters, a generous host, and a funny, down-to-earth presence who spent his later years painting glowing old neon signs and, heartbreakingly, struggling with Alzheimer’s before his death at home.

But because the internet can never simply mourn quietly, the community reaction immediately turned into a mini salon of “if you love him, you need to know this other legend too.” The strongest take in the thread wasn’t a fight so much as a passionate side quest: commenter spking jumped in to name-drop Herb Lubalin, basically telling readers that Parkinson appreciation should come with homework. It’s less scandal, more taste flex — the kind of comment that says, “Yes, grieve, but also expand your cool-person design syllabus.”

That means the mood is a mix of heartfelt respect and nerdy enthusiasm. There’s no ugly pile-on here, no bitter backlash, just a very online ritual: one icon passes, and the comments instantly start building a hall of fame around him. The quiet humor comes from how fast the discussion pivots from loss to recommendation culture — the digital equivalent of showing up at a memorial and saying, “By the way, if you liked this genius, I’ve got another one for you.”