Posters on the Door

"Smoochies" indicates wins.

Every time I descend from my upstairs room, my eyes focus on a poster on the door at the bottom of the stairs. It is a poster of the Green Bay Packers Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. It remains on display throughout the year, not just during football season, and it has a tendency to make me smile. It was a very thoughtful Mother’s Day gift from my Godson--and youngest nephew--in 2011. Sure, it makes me smile because Aaron Rodgers is a major “hottie”, but that is a given.

Today, as I gazed upon the athletic image of Rodgers, I reflected on how I’ve always had a poster or two on my bedroom and closet doors. Like Mr. Peabody and Sherman and their “Way Back Machine”, I was transported to my formative years as I began to recall all the celebrities and icons who graced my personal “Wall of Fame.” 

Aaayyy! Sit on it, ya nerd!

The first poster ever taped to my bedroom door was an image of “The Fonz.” Played by Henry Winkler, “Fonzie” was the “cool” character in the popular television series “Happy Days.” I remember how excited I was when my parents allowed me to buy the 36” x 48” poster for only $1.00! I can still feel that tightly rolled paper, slipped into a narrow sleeve of plastic in my hot little hands. My heart beat fast. My face may have blushed slightly because, up until that point, I’d only had crushes on boys in my grade school class. Now, I had a near-life-sized picture of a MAN...in my ROOM! Oh, my goodness! I felt so grown up. I don’t recall how long “The Fonz” remained on the door, but it was up there was long enough for the edges of the poster to turn yellow and brittle. 

Just a Hunk-a Hunk-a Burnin' Love!

The next big poster to be adorn the door, was Elvis Presley. The huge picture depicted the “King of Rock and Roll” wearing the American Eagle Jumpsuit from his “Aloha From Hawaii” concert. I remember seeing the concert “Live Via Satellite” as a girl. It was a huge media event because it was the first global broadcast of its kind. I still get chills thinking about the significance of that technological event. Eh... okay... Elvis was easy to look at too!

Of course, not all the posters on my door were of “heart throbs” and “hotties”. There were smaller posters of the Star Wars/Luke Skywalker variety and postcard replicas of classic movie posters. One of my favorite full-sized posters--which I believe replaced “The Fonz”--was a replica of the theater poster for the Humphrey Bogart movie “Casablanca.” That was the first Bogart movie I had ever seen, and I was just mesmerized by the actor. With the advent of VHS players and cable television, I was able to see more of “Bogie’s” movies. 

The start of a beautiful friendship.

I found a Bogart biography at the neighborhood library (this was before the Internet, personal PCs and Google) which indexed of all his movie titles, including cameo appearances. I made a photocopy of that list (yes, Xerox copy machines were available at that time), and taped it to the inside of my closet door. I would check off each movie as I saw it.  

A poster that did not depict a celebrity or movie had a simple typographic design, featuring a rainbow of colored text on a strong black background. The text consisted of the various names by which the Christian faithful call God, with small annotations by each name referencing where in the Holy Scriptures the name can be found. In the midst of the color letters, are two words in white, “I Am.” 

A Still Small Voice.

Over the years, I have seen this text concepted with a variety of imagery, but I really like this rendition of the poster the best. Somehow, it makes a powerful statement in a quiet way. I still have it, although now it is rolled and preserved in a tube. Because it was on display throughout my college years, I no longer need to see it to still appreciate it. The Words and their impact are indelible within my heart and memory.

Coincidentally, at the exact same time God’s poster was hanging proudly in my room, a Billy Idol poster was displayed directly across from it. The image had more of a “Sears Portrait Studio” vibe than a “hard-rocking” stage image. It was something that my Dad did not disapprove of, and it was still hormonally activating for me. So, yeah... win-win!

Billy Idol is still Hot in the City!

 My affinity for the door poster was not limited to my home life. As a creative professional, I am often inspired by the photography and design of others, both contemporary and historically. At every company I have ever been employed, my work space, office or cubicle has always been adorned with posters of one kind or another. Posters provide a variety of color palettes, typography and photography that stimulates creativity. The planning and directing of a photo shoot with a 1960s theme inspired me to recreate a Peter Max-type of poster for the background. Talk about putting oneself into one’s work! That poster has since become one of my favorite self-portraits. 

Self-portrait inspired by Peter Max poster.

This fun, childhood inclination is a reminder to me of who I was. In many ways, it also continues to influence who I am as a creative professional and as a person. It is very likely that I will always have and be inspired by posters on the door.