aboutus

"Since I began Sign Language 17 years ago, the technology has changed in how we do things, but quality remains the most important part of the business."

"Sign Language knows no boundaries", is Mary's favorite line.

"There is no limit to what we will try with our signs and we will work with anyone in the world".

Mary Deak grew up in Vancouver BC and was always known throughout school as, "the creative one" ...... even her math books showed a distinct flair for design, something her teachers did not find amusing. She was given a scholarship for her outstanding achievements in the arts and began a 3 year search in college attempting to find a niche for her talents. A 9 year diversion in electrical drafting and cartography eventually forced Mary to look at other ways to make a living with her gift. She left Vancouver in 1981 and headed to Williams Lake with her husband to find better work during the recession. One day, while passing by a painted window for the stampede, she was inspired to create something better. Her own windows at home became Christmas in September as she practiced for months on different painting techniques. Still Mary felt she was a greenhorn and wanted to achieve that polished look of a professional artist along with broadening her skills.

It wasn't until one day in 1984 that Mary saw a beautiful window painting of a mermaid at a seafood shop, and it took her breath away. The owner of the shop told her it was done by a man named Ed McFadden, a local sign writer and graphic artist. Ed was a master sign writer, having almost 40 years of experience at the time. He learned his trade in Calgary and worked for Hook signs before coming out to Beautiful British Columbia. The woman then told Mary he was looking for someone to hand down his trade. It was all she needed to hear and within a few days, the two of them met and formed a friendship that still lasts today. She apprenticed in the evenings and on the weekends for almost four years, learning the skills of hand brushed lettering, making pounce patterns, and steadying the hand with a mall stick.

During Christmas of 1987, Mary left Williams Lake with her 4 year old daughter to start a new life in Penticton. She opened Sign Language in January of 1988 with her partner and never looked back. Over the years, she has slowly let go of the quill and embraced the keyboard and mouse while remembering the foundation of her trade that Ed had taught her many years before. For the past 4 years she has been the sole owner of Sign Language. Internet sales and upgraded equipment have added to the quality and diversity of her products.

When Mary isn't training for another marathon somewhere in the world, she can be found painting by the ocean or planning another road trip with her faithful dog, MoJo.

I look forward to creating business with you.

Mary Deak,
Proprietor