Karl D. Beal, raised on a large cattle farm along with two brothers and two sisters, in beautiful Pleasant Valley, located in the heart of northern Michigan. Ever since grammar school Karl has been recognized for his artistic talents and has went on to develop those talents and create some beautiful pieces in wood and on a canvas. He has done many acrylic paintings for friends and family through the years and has taken commission work also. Painting and carving are what makes his life full and complete.
Karl learned early in life the value of hard work and the satsfaction a person gets from going to bed tired. He carries these same values with him today. Karl and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 24 years and have two children, Leah, age 20, and Ian, age 15. They own and operate their own Sign Business from their home in Pleasant Valley, located between East Jordan and Central Lake, MI.
Karl has an associates degree from Ferris State College where he majored in Commericial Art. After college he traveled to many different places trying to find his niche in life. He settled for a time in Chattanooga Tenn, where he worked for an Ad Agency, but was never quite happy there. He wanted to come home to Northern Michigan and be close to his family. He went to work for a sign company in Boyne City and stayed there for about 10 years, before starting his own business - Pleasant Valley Designs. He has mastered the art of carving wood, sign foam and many other types of material. He can take a piece of wood and carve just about anything from it. His wildlife carvings are so lifelike, they look like they are from a taxidermist.
He and his wife have operated their own business for 18 years now and have included their children in many aspects of the business. Ian has picked up a chisel now and then and Leah has learned about vinyl lettering and applying it to signs and vehicle. Their work ranges from large sculptures to woodcarvings that sit on your mantel. Karl has done work for people from all over Michigan and beyond. He has made custom cedar furniture for a dental office, dining room table and chairs, mantels with wildlife scenes carved into them. The list goes on.
Their business specializes in Residential and Commercial signage. They do vinyl lettering for banners, vehicles, magnetic signs and also billboards. They make custom residential signs that have carved and painted scenes on them, from sailboats to large mouth bass. But Karls true passion is taking a piece of wood and making something that will take your breath away.
So if you are in the area and taking a ride through the beautiful Jordan Valley or visiting the many lakes close by, stop in and see Karl and maybe he can make something for you!