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Bonnie Doon Ice Cream 4th Street 1940’s

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Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Bonnie Doon Ice Cream,

Mishawaka, IN

 

In 1938 Bonnie Doon Ice Cream was established and eventually grew into a local chain of drive-in Ice Cream shops and restaurants. The first business was located on 4th Street, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

I had painted one of the other Bonnie Doon drive-ins, located on S. Michigan St, in South Bend, IN and the painting was on display at  local Art show, when a couple approached me to paint the 4th Street Ice Cream Shop.  They used to date when they were young and that was their favorite date place.  I painted the building as it looked at that time, putting their Studebaker in the painting.

The building was also the factory for making the ice cream for the other stores.  It now sits empty, as the store closed a couple of years ago.  Only one store remains, which was purchased several years ago.  Bonnie Doon eventually entered the local retail market with a variety of flavors.

Here the other Bonnie Doon paintings I have painted: Bonnie Doon, US-31 North, South Bend; Bonnie Doon, S. Michigan St., South Bend; Bonnie Doon on Lincolnway West in Mishawaka; Bonnie Doon on 4th St. Mishawaka in the 1950s.

Bonnie Doon, Lincolnway West

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Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Bonnie Doon,

Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, Indiana

While traveling around the country exhibiting at Art Shows and Festivals, several were close to home, so I painted some local places.  Bonnie Doon was one of those places. The Ice Cream Chain covered South Bend and Mishawaka, with 5 Drive-in locations. Other locations I painted were Bonnie Doon -South Michigan St, South Bend…. Bonnie Doon – US 31 North, South Bend….. Bonnie Doon, 4th St., Mishawaka 1940 …..Bonnie Doon, 4th St. Mishawaka 1950s. Another location was Lincolnway West at Bendix Drive, South Bend, which I Have not yet painted.

This location was on Lincolnway, in Mishawaka.  It is the only location still operating but has a different owner, but Bonnie Doon ice cream is still popular.  The ice cream plant was originally within the 4th Street building and later located in Elkhart and could be purchased at retail outlets in the area.

The panting highlights the neon with the 1956 T-Bird, showing the era of the business.  On the opposite side of the building, there was a drive-up with car hops and the traditional ordering through a speaker from your car. I even included my wife Evelyn in the painting inside, complete with the Juke Box. She is not the one with the baseball cap!

 

 
Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas $1,295
 

Silver Diner-Red

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Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

The Silver Diner (Red)

This painting is my version of a silver diner, looking in from the outside, complete with the soda fountain, black and white checkered floor a booth, bar stools and yes, a jukebox, It was a fun project to make up my own Silver Diner.  I sold this painting, but not without conditions. Check out those conditions in my second painting  (here).

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

 

24” x 36” ………. Original Painting on stretched canvas not available

McDonald’s

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Copyright Larry Johnston

McDonald’s

Mishawaka, Indiana.

It was the 1950’s, when Neon, Milk Shakes and cool cars came on the scene.  In the midst of it all, we had heard of a new restaurant that had burgers, fries and shakes.  You couldn’t go inside to eat and they didn’t have car hops that brought it out to your car.  The way it worked was, you walked up to the window on the outside of the building and ordered your food, they prepared it, put it in a bag and you either sat in your car or took it home to eat. They called it “Fast Food”. The even had a sign that told you how many hamburgers they had sold nationwide.

These places started in Chicago and were popping up in other states.  In January of 1959, the first local McDonald’s opened just one block from the dividing line between South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana, on Lincolnway West on the Mishawaka side.

As I was traveling and painting for Art Shows, the pubic was excited about my diner and restaurant pictures. Since I did several shows in this area, and was raised in South Bend, I decided to include McDonald’s, as it would have looked, when it first opened here.

While on the road in in Louisville Kentucky, at St. James Court, one of the top shows in the country, we were approached by a family, whos’ father had just retired and sold his collection of a large number of McDonald’s restaurants he had built up, during his restaurant years.  The children wanted to pool their money and buy him the painting as a retirement gift.

The McDonald’s painting was my first experience with Classic Cars and Neon, which became a popular theme in later paintings.

 

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)

20″ x 24″Black Edge………. $148.82

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20″ x 24″ White Edge………. $148.82

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20″ x 24″ Wrapped Edge………. $148.82

Error! Special characters like [, ], <, > are not supported in the product name.
 

 

30″ x 36″ Black Edge ………. $204.72

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30″ x 36″  White Edge………. $204.72

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30″ x 36″ Wrapped Edge………. $204.72

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30″ X 36″ original painting on stretched canvas not available.

Red Barn Texaco

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Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Red Barn, Texaco

Cartersville, Georgia

After I had painted the Texaco pump with the brown barn in the background, I called it brown Barn Texaco.  This painting was similar, but needed some more color to the painting, so I added the Red barn.  It was one of several different brands that I eventually painted.  Gas pumps became quite a collection subject, for people that made a habit of buying my work.

My prints were available to buy in a 5″ x 7″ and 11″ x 14″, including a mat around the print. I even made barn-wood frames for a while, then switched to a variety of frame colors: black, Burgundy, forest green and colonial blue. .Now I offer the prints on stretched canvas, to make it look like the original.

Skyline Chili #2

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Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

Skyline Chili

Cincinnati, Ohio

Founded in 1949, the first Skyline Chili on Glenway Avenue, in Cincinnati, Ohio is an area now known as Price Hill.  The building is no longer there, however around the corner at 3714 Warsaw Ave (above painting), is a combination restaurant and drive through Skyline Chili.

Famous for their special chili, coney dogs and my favorites, the 3-way, 4-way and 5-way which offers a combination of Spaghetti, topped with their special Chili, covered with cheese.  Onions and beans can be added.

While exhibiting in the Cincinnati area Art shows, we discovered Skyline Chili and soon after, I painted two versions of the restaurant on Warsaw Avenue.  In the first version,  I painted the first wienermobile in the painting, as it was leaving the restaurant. (Click to View).  I guess the driver was craving a Skyline coney dog.  A couple, I met at an art festival, wanted me to paint the painting without those vehicles and wanted theirs in the painting instead. I have personalized other paintings over my career, especially at their favorite restaurants or places they grew up around.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65
 
24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas not available

Skyline Chili #1

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Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

Skyline Chili & Wienermobile.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Skyline Chili is well known around Cincinnati, so while in the area exhibiting in several shows, I decided to paint one of their locations. Actually, I painted 2 Skyline paintings, one commissioned by a customer, to include his car in the painting. (View)

The painting above was the closest to the original restaurant, which has since closed.  Since they were famous for chili dogs, I included the original Wienermobile in the painting. I didn’t know what brand of hot dogs they used, but the Skyline Chili Restaurant with the Wienermobile was quite a popular painting.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

 

24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

Whistle Stop Depot

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Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Whistle Stop Depot

Juliette, GA

from the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”

While traveling and exhibiting in Art shows and festivals, I had done several shows in and around Atlanta, Georgia.  When the movie came out “Fried Green Tomatoes, we found that the movie was filmed in Georgia and that you could actually eat at the Whistle Stop Cafe’. One weekend, we decided to visit the restaurant and cafe.

When we arrived, we found the quaint little one street town called Juliette.  It is located 8 miles east of Forsyth, GA.  If you cross the RR tracks, you just missed the town as it was a street just before the tracks on the right. As I remember, the cafe had already closed for the day, but we walked around and took pictures of the town.

I painted a set of 4 paintings from the town, one of them being the Whistle Stop Depot. They had purchased the depot for one dollar, as it had been sitting in a field for many years. It now sits on the main street of town because of regulations as to sitting along-side the tracks.

When we arrived, we found the quaint little one street town called Juliette.  It is located 8 miles east of Forsyth, GA.  If you cross the RR tracks, you just missed the town as it was a street just before the tracks on the right. As I remember, the cafe had already closed for the day, but we walked around and took pictures of the town.

I painted a set of 4 paintings from the town, one of them being the Whistle Stop Depot. They had purchased the depot for one dollar, as it had been sitting in a field for many years. It now sits on the main street of town because of regulations as to sitting along side the tracks. Here are links to the other 3 paintings from the town of Juliette. (That is the town of Whistle Stop.) Whistle Stop Cafe, Fried Green Tomatoes Church, Fried Green Tomatoes (Threadgood) House.

 

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Prints:
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
Options:
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
(frames and hardware are not included)

11″ x 14″Black Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ White Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ Wrapped Edge………. $148.82

16″ x 20″ Black Edge ………. $204.72

16″ x 20″  White Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ Wrapped Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ ………. $375.00 original painting on stretched canvas not available.

 

Whistle Stop Cafefried

Admin
Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston
 
The Movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” became a classic and was filmed during a time when I lived in Georgia. Last week in History of a painting, I highlighted the Whistle Stop Depot. This week I’m showing you the painting I did of the Whistle Stop Cafe, in Juliette, Georgia, the location where the movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes” was filmed. The painting is acrylic on stretched canvas.  The owner of the restaurant purchased the panting and then had me paint another one without the gas pumps. The pumps were movie props and went back to the movie lot, when the film was completed. If you visit the Whistle stop cafe, you get fried green tomatoes with every meal.  They’re pretty good to. I painted four paintings related to the movies, then put prints of them in a frame as a set of 4 matted and framed prints. The print sets were very popular, especially in the Atlanta area. One of my favorite shows was just east of Atlanta at Stone Mountain, called the “Yellow Daisy Festival”. It ranked in the top for shows in the country and several times #1. 
 
Here are links to the other 3 paintings from the town of Juliette. (That is the town of Whistle Stop.) Whistle Stop Depot, Fried Green Tomatoes Church, Fried Green Tomatoes (Threadgood) House.
 
Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston
 
Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)

11″ x 14″Black Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ White Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ Wrapped Edge………. $148.82

 

16″ x 20″ Black Edge ………. $204.72

16″ x 20″  White Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ Wrapped Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ ………. $375.00 original painting on stretched canvas not available.

 

“Fried Green Tomatoes” Threadgood House

Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Fried Green Tomatoes, Threadgood House

Senoia, Georgia House

If you recall in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”, where Buddy was killed by the train, the house where they were having their festivities, was actually a bed and breakfast Inn, that is located in Senoia, Georgia.  It is a historic home that sat across the street from a railroad track which was perfect for the story line.  The paved street was covered with dirt for the movie to fit the time period.

This was the third picture of the set of 4 in my Fried Green Tomatoes set. I even had to recreate the tree house in the front yard. We had a lot of fun researching the movie, as we chased rumors about the places used in the movie. Senoia was convenient for shooting, as the movie studio was also located in Senoia, Georgia.

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Here are links to the other 3 paintings from the town of Juliette. (That is the town of Whistle Stop.) Whistle Stop Cafe, Fried Green Tomatoes Church, Whistle Stop Depot.

Prints:
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
Options:
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
(frames and hardware are not included)

11″ x 14″Black Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ White Edge………. $148.82

11″ x 14″ Wrapped Edge………. $148.82

16″ x 20″ Black Edge ………. $204.72

16″ x 20″  White Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ Wrapped Edge………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ ………. $375.00 original painting on stretched canvas not available.