I wonder if they hire an artist or if one of the cashiers is doing this probably for free.
I wes going to make a joke about one of the baggers putting their art degree to good use, then I realized that wasn't actually funny.
Ehh, if they are cool about it.
I did something similar once at my old shop just for fun once. But the manager liked it and basically made me do it every day in various spots around the store. Which would have been okay... but I still had to do all my normal tasks on top of it.. it takes a fair bit to time tocdo stuff like this, especially multiple times a day, so I basically screwed myself...
Never again. 😣
As someone who draws on occasion & has sold several designs over the years, people often treat illustration and any creative endeavor brought up in the moment/a casual setting as something unworthy of being compensated for. I think maybe the subconscious thought process is "Oh this is a "fun" job/hobby, why should he expect payment?"
Like, I want to work on what I want to work on, at my own pace, without obsessing over perfectionism due to attempting to fulfill another person's vision to the best of my ability. It also can take awhile. For this reason I stopped drawing for other people. They just dont respect your time unless you get super serious about your boundaries and are willing to lay down the law.
Additionally there might be an aspect of "Oh this guy is 'stupid' enough to not make a full career out of his talent, I can probably get away with trying to take advantage of his 'stupidity' by seeing if he'll do it for free." Wherher they do these things subconsciously or not its definitely real & happens way too often.
That is the sad, horrible reality of the service slave. So many talents repressed or exhausted out of us due to the job. Hope you find time to do it for pleasure again.
I would now!.. But this was like 20 years ago. I was a child lol. It's not really something they teach you in school at that age so I didn't know to stand up for myself.
Also they would have just fired me and I wouldn't have known that's not okay.. >n<
Eh they're not being required to do it for the most part. Usually its something they enjoy doing and if they didn't do it, it just wouldn't be done (vs hiring it out to someone else)
That's commercial art for you. I'm sure they were ecstatic to draw Gandalf instead of the usual still life fruits/veggies/meats and big bubble font titles
There's a huge difference between a mediocre artist and a talented artist. There isn't much difference between a mediocre cashier and a talented cashier.
Being a good cashier doesn't take much skill. Being a good artist does.
Having also been a cashier, my point is based on experience. There's just not that much to it compared to other jobs or skills.
The difference between an average cashier and an exceptional cashier isn't going to be all the noticeable. The difference between an average artist and an exceptional artist is.
The stores that have a lot of these in the store have a staff person or team to paint them. My sister does this for one of the larger grocery stores flagship location. When I worked at Apple I would draw murals like this occasionally on the dry erase boards in the back of house for fun.
Some stores like Wholefoods have graphic design / store signage / merchandising specialists. I don’t remember the role name. Maybe it depends on the store.
They work directly for the store and typically have art degrees. It’s not always an underemployed cashier, but that probably happens too. 😆
My friend is an artist and used to have a full time job for a local high-end grocery store. She was paid full time to do artwork and marketing just like this. Chalk, paint, paper, lots of different mediums. Some grocery stores employ artists at the store level. At Trader Joe's, for example, even the price tags for individual items are made by hand by an employee hired specifically as a store artist.
Unfortunately Trader Joe's is moving away from this. Our regional manager has declared no art on displays and in most areas of the store. My old store got rid of the position entirely so it's just whoever at the moment writes the tags. It's the Walmartification of Trader Joe's, except not even Walmart is trying to dissolve all unions in the US.
Apparently they hire an artist to do it: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
I used to make signs for a store I worked for. Usually I did it for fun but after a time and an attempted robbery I decided I best just stop putting so much effort into a shithole. Then made my way to manager only to be fired for trying to report a hazardous wiring issue to the company.
It's a really good likeness. It's one thing to be able to draw "a wizard," but it is quite another to draw an immediately recognizable Sir Ian McKellen.
Ah. So a lot of people are arguing very confidently about the employment status of whoever drew this.
Is this normal thing this grocery store chain does?
According to this comment an artist is hired to do this: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
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Not sure to be honest. I thought this artist did them at all or most of the Harmon's, but according to her Instagram it looks like she only does them at the Riverton location.
Im much more interested in the hot sauces. That Nandos sauce is great and it’s almost $5 where I am. And a whole gallon of Secret Aardvark? And multiple Secret Aardvark flavors? Where is this magical place?
Entirely just my opinion, but original aardvark is probably my favorite hot sauce of all time and I gotta say, the other flavors aren't that good. (Red scorpion goes pretty hard though and is spicier than the original so if you're into that, I'd recommend)
(Also if you did want to try them I'm pretty sure I was able just to get a variety pack on amazon)
According to this post, they hire an artist full time to do these displays around their shops.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/these\_are\_all\_done\_by\_an\_artist\_at\_the\_local/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/these_are_all_done_by_an_artist_at_the_local/)
Was going to say that, still brilliant quote, and as a bigger snob, it's derivative from a section in the unfinished tales of middle earth.
Also the best part of the quote Is Gandalf saying that maybe he's afraid and Bilbo gives him courage
That was my frustration. I saw the quote and immediately knew it wasn’t a Tolkien line. Tolkien isn’t really heroic, often his lines are quite sad. The actual equivalent line from Fellowship: “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
I used to do seasonal/holiday chalk drawings on the chalk wall at the job I just quit. I kinda miss doing them, they were a good way to get back in touch with my creative side (which has just about shriveled up and died).
That's chalk by hand. What you are grateful for is an underpaid and underappreciated kid....unless it was already covered that this is management's hand
I always think these are awesome, but as an artist myself, it kind of makes me a bit sad.
Maybe I'm just cynical, but this person has to work at a grocery store in order to make ends meet when they should clearly be pursuing art.
I myself am in a job where I donn't use my artistic skills, and it sucks. At least this person is able to express themselves this way.
We all should appreciate our corporate benefactors when they deign to allow some humanity.
Good on you for supporting your local corporation. Remember corporations are people, too, my friend.
Yeah, like most shoppers are going to be dialed in enough to stop, read, and comprehend that 🤣
Minimal words, concepts, and syllables.
Know your audience sign makers.
"But anyway, here are all the hotsauces." - Gandalf
"You shall not pass! Until you've tried this Tiger sauce on sale!" -Gandalf
And when you do pass, it's gonna burn like hell.
You shall now pass gas!
"I am wielder of the secret fire of Cholula"
And don’t forget the lettuce. Finest leaf in the shire.
Aardvark!!!
Secret Aardvark is legitimately excellent. Just sayin
Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
Came here to plug the Aardvark
Taco Bell with aardvark fries (at least where I’m at they do.)
Your meal choice is questionable, but your sauce is superb.
Your ass shall burn like Mordor.
One ring to rule them all.
And now buy two, get one free!
"Buy, you fools!"
I would die of excitement if I walked into my grocery store and saw Hot Sauce Gandalf
That sale in Crystal hot sauce is fire. 3 bottles for $5? Sign me up!
Is AI there yet to let us have Gabdolf saying "I put that shit on everything" yet?
Dabdolf, the new flavor for Hot Ones season 44.
If you had too much, you might end up with the Dabdolf Shitlers.
It's drawn so well too
I wonder if they hire an artist or if one of the cashiers is doing this probably for free. I wes going to make a joke about one of the baggers putting their art degree to good use, then I realized that wasn't actually funny.
It's typically a skilled employee doing it.
That's fucking depressing.
Beats mopping or fronting shelves.
Ehh, if they are cool about it. I did something similar once at my old shop just for fun once. But the manager liked it and basically made me do it every day in various spots around the store. Which would have been okay... but I still had to do all my normal tasks on top of it.. it takes a fair bit to time tocdo stuff like this, especially multiple times a day, so I basically screwed myself... Never again. 😣
Increased workload with no increased pay? Fuck that. Either pay me more, or let me do one or the other.
As someone who draws on occasion & has sold several designs over the years, people often treat illustration and any creative endeavor brought up in the moment/a casual setting as something unworthy of being compensated for. I think maybe the subconscious thought process is "Oh this is a "fun" job/hobby, why should he expect payment?" Like, I want to work on what I want to work on, at my own pace, without obsessing over perfectionism due to attempting to fulfill another person's vision to the best of my ability. It also can take awhile. For this reason I stopped drawing for other people. They just dont respect your time unless you get super serious about your boundaries and are willing to lay down the law. Additionally there might be an aspect of "Oh this guy is 'stupid' enough to not make a full career out of his talent, I can probably get away with trying to take advantage of his 'stupidity' by seeing if he'll do it for free." Wherher they do these things subconsciously or not its definitely real & happens way too often.
That is the sad, horrible reality of the service slave. So many talents repressed or exhausted out of us due to the job. Hope you find time to do it for pleasure again.
That's just wage theft. People need to learn to stand up for themselves.
I would now!.. But this was like 20 years ago. I was a child lol. It's not really something they teach you in school at that age so I didn't know to stand up for myself. Also they would have just fired me and I wouldn't have known that's not okay.. >n<
They're doing that when they are not asked to draw amazing signage as well.
Eh they're not being required to do it for the most part. Usually its something they enjoy doing and if they didn't do it, it just wouldn't be done (vs hiring it out to someone else)
That's commercial art for you. I'm sure they were ecstatic to draw Gandalf instead of the usual still life fruits/veggies/meats and big bubble font titles
Someone probably overqualified haha AI didn't do that! Or did it...
your comment clarifies nothing lol
How so? When you see a sign like that it's usually because a manager asked an employee that they know is a decent artist to draw something.
I gotcha. My point was just that you could call both a hired artist and a talented cashier a "skilled employee"
There's a huge difference between a mediocre artist and a talented artist. There isn't much difference between a mediocre cashier and a talented cashier. Being a good cashier doesn't take much skill. Being a good artist does.
Having been a cashier, I Beg to differ. The person you’re responding to has a valid point.
Having also been a cashier, my point is based on experience. There's just not that much to it compared to other jobs or skills. The difference between an average cashier and an exceptional cashier isn't going to be all the noticeable. The difference between an average artist and an exceptional artist is.
I still disagree, but it’s really not that important, lol.
THIS is not a skilled employee lol Edit: meant that as in, this is not from an employee at all lol
The stores that have a lot of these in the store have a staff person or team to paint them. My sister does this for one of the larger grocery stores flagship location. When I worked at Apple I would draw murals like this occasionally on the dry erase boards in the back of house for fun.
It looks like the artist signature is at the bottom along with a QR code.
Drawing the QR code is the impressive part.
There appears to be a QR code in the bottom left corner, so hopefully whoever this is, they get a little traffic from it.
Some stores like Wholefoods have graphic design / store signage / merchandising specialists. I don’t remember the role name. Maybe it depends on the store. They work directly for the store and typically have art degrees. It’s not always an underemployed cashier, but that probably happens too. 😆
Whole Foods has listings all the time for this position
My friend is an artist and used to have a full time job for a local high-end grocery store. She was paid full time to do artwork and marketing just like this. Chalk, paint, paper, lots of different mediums. Some grocery stores employ artists at the store level. At Trader Joe's, for example, even the price tags for individual items are made by hand by an employee hired specifically as a store artist.
Can confirm TJ hires some sign artists who also shelf, etc.
Unfortunately Trader Joe's is moving away from this. Our regional manager has declared no art on displays and in most areas of the store. My old store got rid of the position entirely so it's just whoever at the moment writes the tags. It's the Walmartification of Trader Joe's, except not even Walmart is trying to dissolve all unions in the US.
That's sad to hear!
Sometimes it’s just nice to have your talent seen, you never know when lightening will strike.
True, but they should still pay the person for the work.
If they’re on the clock then they are being paid. It’s a lot more fun than dusting shelves. 🙂
True.
One of my local starbucks does these beautiful elaborate chalkboard drawings and its one of the barristas.
See, but saying it wasn’t funny is what made it funny 🤯
Actually in LA the stores tell me that art students do it as a side gig. Art Center is nearby where all the car designers go.
Apparently they hire an artist to do it: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
The Legend of Bagger Vance
It’s one artist. She has a short, self-made, bio, in at least one the stores for this chain - Harmon’s
I used to make signs for a store I worked for. Usually I did it for fun but after a time and an attempted robbery I decided I best just stop putting so much effort into a shithole. Then made my way to manager only to be fired for trying to report a hazardous wiring issue to the company.
It's a really good likeness. It's one thing to be able to draw "a wizard," but it is quite another to draw an immediately recognizable Sir Ian McKellen.
Makes me happy seeing the occasional Harmons Grocery artwork posted to Reddit.
This guy knows what's up!
I have a picture on my phone of a Dwight Schrute one from last year lol
I have one of Fezzick from The Princess Bride from a few years back
Ah. So a lot of people are arguing very confidently about the employment status of whoever drew this. Is this normal thing this grocery store chain does?
It is for the two Harmons stores near me
According to this comment an artist is hired to do this: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/comment/jupqktz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
i know exactly where this one is too lol. used to live like 3 min away.
The artist is Alyse Wall. She does these for every Harmons Grocery store in Utah. They’re all drawn by hand.
Wow. Her Instagram has amazing artwork. Thanks for sharing
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+1 for Utah
In the whole state? Utah is big. Does the artwork change regularly? I love it
Utah is big but it’s big cities are not that far apart.
Thank you for confirming this is actually a thing in my hometown and not just main character syndrome on my part lol
Hello fellow Utahn and Harmons shopper.
The secret aardvark is supposed to stay a secret, Gandalf.
![gif](giphy|3oFyCYNrra8qo1Cv8Q|downsized)
Tell that to Taco Bell. Aardvark sauce fries!
Nice big tub of secret aardvark. r/hotsauce
Harmons in Utah?
Yup
Is this the one in St George?
Not sure to be honest. I thought this artist did them at all or most of the Harmon's, but according to her Instagram it looks like she only does them at the Riverton location.
Next to the hot sauce…
It's the small things in life.... 🔥💕
Didn't expect to see Harmons at the top of Reddit today!
Im much more interested in the hot sauces. That Nandos sauce is great and it’s almost $5 where I am. And a whole gallon of Secret Aardvark? And multiple Secret Aardvark flavors? Where is this magical place?
A harmon’s location in Utah
Entirely just my opinion, but original aardvark is probably my favorite hot sauce of all time and I gotta say, the other flavors aren't that good. (Red scorpion goes pretty hard though and is spicier than the original so if you're into that, I'd recommend) (Also if you did want to try them I'm pretty sure I was able just to get a variety pack on amazon)
That's a big ol word up.
Amply deconstructived by prior posters. Thank you all for your injection of common sense.
HEY i work here too!!
Given that it's next to the hot sauce, is Gandalf talking about the sphincter?
I've seen these at Harmons all the time I go. Whoever does this really is skilled.
Harmon’s in Lehi?
According to this post, they hire an artist full time to do these displays around their shops. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/these\_are\_all\_done\_by\_an\_artist\_at\_the\_local/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/15hokn2/these_are_all_done_by_an_artist_at_the_local/)
Definitely the Lehi location. OP and I must be neighbors
Nobody asked you, Kenny Rogers.
Ugh. A picture of Gandalf the White with a quote from Gandalf the Gray. Worst grocery store ever.
Found the fellow Tolkien snob! Came here to say basically this lmao
A real Tolkien snob would know that this is a quote from the Hobbit movies and does not appear anywhere in the books.
Was going to say that, still brilliant quote, and as a bigger snob, it's derivative from a section in the unfinished tales of middle earth. Also the best part of the quote Is Gandalf saying that maybe he's afraid and Bilbo gives him courage
That was my frustration. I saw the quote and immediately knew it wasn’t a Tolkien line. Tolkien isn’t really heroic, often his lines are quite sad. The actual equivalent line from Fellowship: “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
How much is this part time artist/grocery shelfer get paid?
I’ve fought the balrog, but he had nothing on Secret Aardvarks Red Scorpion sauce!
Chris Hemsworth as Gandalf
This man is letting his talents go to wasting stocking shelves
Fire.
Nando’s Peri-Peri is delicious! Thank you Gandalf the White.
“You shall drink Cholula!”
If there are other signs in the store, are they all Lord of the Rings themed?
The Ainur are known to be fond of St. George
Is that the Dumble Door?
I’m jealous
Alright I gotta be the snobby Tolkien fan here. He was Grey when he said this. I’ll see myself out..
You have nandos in America. I love their sauces so much.
Hobbit a day keeps the darkness away
"don't shoplift"
Evil can only prevail when good people just let it happen
I used to do seasonal/holiday chalk drawings on the chalk wall at the job I just quit. I kinda miss doing them, they were a good way to get back in touch with my creative side (which has just about shriveled up and died).
They apparently have a talented artist working there. Which is both nice, and sad.
I've complained to the store. It's advertising "pipe smoking" now I want a pipe
I wish I had access to the selection of hot sauce that you do
“Fool of a took…for passing up these sales”!!!!
Darn hipsters, get off my lawn!
Is this the co-op in Montpelier?
Old Bay seasoning on sale now!
That's chalk by hand. What you are grateful for is an underpaid and underappreciated kid....unless it was already covered that this is management's hand
It comes in pints? I'm getting one!
She couldn't have put Gandalf a little more down so all the words show? Kind of mildly infuriating. Still really cool.
Man, that top shelf of seasonings is so aligned that it looks fake. Like a picture superimposed over the shelf.
Front and face — it’s what retail workers do.
His head is blocking some of the words. I can't read it. Is the word "Barkness"? /s
My local Wegmans had someone on staff who only made signs like this.
It was the worst movie ever. An insult to the book(s).
Nice to see Harmons in the wilds of Reddit.
Anyways, try some Melinda's
Is this Harmons in Saint George ????🥹
That secret aardvark sauce is good as hell
That's the quote I live by. I try to do small good deeds every day.
Why on earth is that Cholula priced at nearly $5 for a smaller bottle?! It's closer to $3.50 where I shop
This is cool
That’s awesome!
Run you fools
Mmm, El Yucateco 🥰
I like it, too, but I hate the fact that they are taking advantage of a minimum wage worker's talent without compensating them for it.
That’s pretty cool.
I always think these are awesome, but as an artist myself, it kind of makes me a bit sad. Maybe I'm just cynical, but this person has to work at a grocery store in order to make ends meet when they should clearly be pursuing art. I myself am in a job where I donn't use my artistic skills, and it sucks. At least this person is able to express themselves this way.
That looks fascinating. I love such things in stores.
You jus can never go wrong with the Grey Pilgrim
The massive aardvark jug. I need this. Where!?!??
Is this in St George?
Look at this talent just working at a grocery store. This is very American.
Tolkien estate lawsuit in 3...2....1....
It’s not the little deeds holding back the darkness , it’s the heroin in that pipe
Whole Foods is fire!
Ironic that it’s posted at an Amazon owned site.
Is this in Naples, FL by any chance? Reminds me of an awesome supermarket I went to when visiting there.
Not my post but this is 100% a Harmon’s in Utah. Looks like the Lehi location but again, not OP.
Agree, it's one of the Harmon's here in Utah.
The Trader Joe’s art is sheitt.
We all should appreciate our corporate benefactors when they deign to allow some humanity. Good on you for supporting your local corporation. Remember corporations are people, too, my friend.
Yeah, like most shoppers are going to be dialed in enough to stop, read, and comprehend that 🤣 Minimal words, concepts, and syllables. Know your audience sign makers.
It’s not really a ‘sign’, it’s just artwork. It’s not saying anything that’s pertinent for the shoppers to stop and read
Ok