Illinois – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

White Castle

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

White Castle

Chicago, Illinois

The White Castle Restaurants started in 1927, as the first one opened in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first White Castle in Chicago was located at Wabash and Cermak, in 1930. The restaurant chain offered small hamburgers that sold for 5 cents until the 1940s. The American term for a small sandwich 3 inches across or smaller was called a “Slider”, which became a common term for a White Castle Burger.

The original Chicago building has become a landmark, as the building has been restored to the original design but is no longer a White Castle restaurant.

The painting was done in my early years, when I started exhibiting at the Chicago area shows. It was a popular item, especially in the Midwest area. It was also included in my set of 4 Chicago prints, along with Billy Goat Tavern, Superdawg and Hot Diggity Dogs, which were horizontal paintings. I added the Chicago Cubs panting later, but it was a vertical painting.

Hot Diggity Dog’s

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

“Hot Diggity Dogs”

Chicago, Illinois

When you go to Chicago, everybody knows where North Michigan Street is located. Next to the Chicago River is the Wrigley Building, a Chicago landmark in itself, but across the street to the north and one level down stood a landmark of its own. Hot Diggity Dogs was a small building that sat in the midst of a huge parking area at 251 E. Ohio Street near the corner of Ohio St and Fairbanks. I am not sure when the business opened, but they had one of the best Chicago Hot Dogs around.

While exhibiting at a show across from the Wrigley Building at street level, I went down to the small building and took photos of it, front and back. Later I was at Navy Pier, just a short walk away and found the old Pepsi truck, where I couldn’t help but take photos of it. I used the back of the building as a subject and added the Pepsi truck.

“Hot Diggity Dogs” has since been torn down, but I heard that on the last day it was open, they had a line of people several blocks long waiting to be served their last famous hot dog.

Rumor has it, they since opened at a different location..

Herriott’s Coffee Co Columbia Street Roastery

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Columbia Street Roastery

Champaign, Illinois

The Covered Bridge Festival, held in Parke County, Indiana draws people from all over the country. While at the festival, I met a gentleman from Champaign, Illinois, who owned a coffee roastery. He wanted an illustration of the Columbia Street Roastery, as it would have looked years ago. He was interested in putting the image on his coffee bags and literature. About a year or so later, when I was traveling through Illinois, I stopped in to visit them. There’s nothing like the smell of freshly ground coffee. We were given the tour. I was impressed by all of the coffee bags stamped with images from all over the world. We even got to see how they roasted, ground and bagged the coffee.

Chicago Theatre

December 29, 2014April 21, 2021 Admin

The Chicago Theatre,

Downtown, Chicago, Illinois.

There was a time when I started painting neon signs in the paintings, so while I was in Chicago, I couldn’t help but to photograph the Chicago Theatre. Little did I know at the time, the hit movie “Chicago” would be released to the theatres within a year of when the painting was finished. The painting became the center of attention shortly thereafter. The movie came out in 2002 and has become one of my favorites, especially the music soundtrack.

The Chicago theatre, was built in 1921 for 4 million dollars, which included ornate architecture and beautiful murals above the stage and on the ceiling. The vertical “Chicago” sign outside measured six stories high.

The theatre closed in 1985 and was saved from demolition and reopened in 1986 with a gala performance by Frank Sinatra.

The Chicago, is one of several theatres I have painted from around the country. Other Theatres I have painted are: The Palace in South Bend, IN; The Reese in Plymouth, IN; Fox in Detroit, Atlanta’s Fox, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Los Angeles Theatre; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ, Warner Theatre, Elkhart and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, Indiana.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.

Wrigley Field

December 25, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Wrigley Field

Chicago, Illinois

While showing my Nostalgic Paintings around the country, I was always asked the question, “Do you have anything from around here that would fit in with my nostalgic art?” That started me on a quest to return to all my shows every year with something new from their area. I had exhibited at a several shows in and around the Chicago area, so I painted four paintings from Chicagoland.

One of my yearly shows was on Wells Street in Chicago. Deciding to paint a Cubs related painting, turned in to a smash hit among the locals. The painting depicts a young child with glove in hand, wearing the famous number 14 worn from 1953 through 1971 by “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks. Watching a custodian sweeping up after the 4th of July baseball game, and reading the famous sign, he anxiously thinks about tomorrows baseball game.

Can he get the autograph of the National League All Star? Will he get any sleep tonight? Probably not!

around the sides of the wood.

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