Thom Guerra

Thom Guerra Calls Himself a Sign Painter.

He is that and much more.

In 2006 Thom Guerra received a commission from the Wieghorst Museum Foundation to recreate Olaf Wieghorst’s painting “Navajos at Castle Creek” on the side of a building overlooking Olaf’s restored house and the museum’s planned botanical garden. Completed in 2007, the 28’ x 22’ mural became a celebrated addition to a redeveloping Downtown El Cajon. Time and sun took its toll on the west-facing mural. So in 2026 Thom was commissioned to restore the mural he created twenty years before.

Thom grew up in El Cajon. Born in Boston, he came to El Cajon at the age of five. He was the oldest boy in a family with a single mom and seven children. He went to Chase Elementary and El Cajon High School, graduating in 1976.

At twelve years old Thom went with his mom to paint a Christmas greeting on the window of a friend’s real estate office store front. It wasn’t very good, but it was good enough to attract the attention of two nearby business owners who paid ten dollars each to paint a Christmas greeting on their windows.

A Business was Born

Who knew you could make money painting windows? Thom’s family was struggling and this was something new. Mom began seeking customers for the part time work focused on holidays and Thom began searching comic books for ideas. He had natural talent for recreating the images and Mom encouraged him. Thom was supporting the family while his older sister watched the younger kids at home.

By high school, it was a business: “Mom’s Sign Shop.” And the work kept rolling in. Can you paint this wall? Can you paint this design on my car?

After High School

Thom grew up. He left San Diego for a time taking a job as an architectural draftsman for an engineering company in the Bay area. He married. After two years, he returned.

Thom bounced around taking a variety of odd jobs. At one point he entered the police academy then decided the job wasn’t for him. He loved the outdoors. He traveled – to Sweden, Holland, New Zealand, Hawaii, Bali and France. But he always came back – to the beaches, to the mild climate, to the paint and the calligraphy that seemed like home.

Thom the Sign Painter

Thom is a consummate professional. He is a survivor in an artistic niche that is challenged by the technology of computerized graphics and plastic wraps. He creates the old way, with brushes, paints and chalk.

Thom’s work is all over Southern California. It is the team logo on the gymnasium floor. It is the school mascot painted on the side of the gym. It’s the garden wall on the upscale restaurant. It is the corporate name on the side of a business. It is the decorative art on the electrical box on the side of road. If you live in San Diego’s east county, you have seen his work.

But you would not know it because Thom doesn’t sign his work.

Thom is a sign painter. He does not consider himself an artist. He considers himself a highly skilled tradesman. To him, sign painting, lettering, reproducing graphics is just a day’s work. It pays the bills.

Don’t let that fool you. Sign painting may be considered a “dying art.” But it is still holds a place for those who appreciated the artistry and personal touch that hand-painted signs offer.

Hand painted signs last longer. Thom’s mural lasted twenty years, and with a refresh can be expected to last twenty more.

We value Thom’s art – or craft if you will – for its cultural significance and aesthetic appeal. Long live the art.

Navajos at Castle Creek Mural 

You can see more of Thom’s work at: ThomGuerra.com