My lighthouse paintings was one of the most asked for set of framed prints during our years of traveling around the Country exhibiting my artwork. Here are links to all of them…
Livingstone Memorial Light House
Lighthouse-Cape Canaveral
9″ X 12″
Original Painting Size
Shell Gas Pump
Shell Gas Pump
Lula, Georgia
When you look at the gas stations of today, with their fancy buildings, and huge canopies over the pumps, you forget what it was like, less than 30 years ago. While driving down the back roads of north Georgia, we went through the community of Lula.
In my early years of painting nostalgia, while gathering information on future paintings, I came upon a Shell station, that was located in Lula. It had the old-fashioned look of years gone by, so I stopped and took a few photos of the gas pumps.
I eventually painted a painting of those pumps, which also became part of my gas pump set of 4 different brands. Some of the others were, Gulf, Texaco, Marathon and Sinclair.
Gas Pumps are pretty popular! Here are the ones I have painted so far…
Gulf Gas Pump
Gulf Gas Pump
Somewhere in rural Georgia
There was a period, when I was taking photos of old gas pumps to use in paintings. The Gas station here was somewhere in Georgia, but the pumps were missing, so I put the pump in my painting and restored the building to match the era.
This was one of the first paintings, where I started adding things, to match the time period. Many of my paintings have cars and trucks added to the landscape, such as many of my 1950 type Diners and Restaurants. This was a 9″ x 12″ acrylic painting on canvas.
I used to also sell photo prints of the paintings, as well as framed sets at many of the shows I attended.
Gas Pumps are pretty popular! Here are the ones I have painted so far…
Fire Station 2 Hose Reel
Fire Hose Reel Fire Station #2
Mishawaka, IN
Fire Station #2 in Mishawaka, Indiana is located on North Main Street. The antique Fire Hose Reel is on display just outside for everyone to see. Can you imagine having to pull that behind you, when many roads of that era were not paved and definitely were not smooth.
The painting was a 9 x 12 and was painted with acrylic paint on stretched canvas. The original painting was sold shortly after it was finished, many years ago.
Fire Dog
The Fire Dog
While in the area of Gray, Georgia exhibiting at a show I called, “Little Beaver Creek”, because there were several shows with that name, I came across a fire hydrant that caught my eye, sitting on the side of the road. I was in the process of painting Fire Dept. related paintings, so I stopped and took a few pictures of it. When it came to painting it, I decided to add the dog since the Dalmatian was also Fire Department related. What better than a puppy.
The set of four, I completed, was the Fire Dog, a Fire Truck, Fire Hose reel, and Fire Station.
Herriott’s Coffee Co Columbia Street Roastery
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.
Roanoke Weiner Stand
The Roanoke Weiner Stand
Roanoke, Virginia
While exhibiting in a show in Roanoke, Virginia, we found this unique weiner stand. Come to find out, it is Roanoke’s oldest restaurant and one of the most popular. It opened in 1916. Since I painted this picture, which was at 110 Market Square, across from the City Market, they have moved into the Market at 1 Market Square and opened another at 3601 Brandon. They’re known for their grilled hot dogs and chili dogs.
The prints of the painting were very popular, along with the set of four places in Roanoke. (Texas Tavern, Roanoke Weiner Stand, Billy’s Ritz and Agnew Seed Store)
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Agnew Seed Store
Agnew Seed Store
Roanoke, Virginia.
One of my favorite Art Festivals took place in the park in Roanoke, Virginia. As I returned for the annual festival, I brought new paintings of the area. One of the paintings was, at the time, the oldest seed store in the state of Virginia. The store was handed down through family since its opening in 1897.
The store was located at 301 Market Street, in Roanoke and sold Seeds & Bulbs for wholesale and retail growers. The inside of the store, had shelves, drawers and displays that took you back in time. Bird seed was a popular item along with feeders for the bird lovers.
After the owners death in 2009, business closed and the building was sold to a couple who owned several other businesses in the area.
The other paintings that I painted over the years from Roanoke, were the Texas Tavern, Roanoke Weiner Stand and Billy’s, located in the Market District. I eventually sold them as a print set of 4, I called my Roanoke Set.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Billy’s on the Ritz
Billy’s Ritz,
Roanoke, VA.
For several years, in late 1980s and early 1990s, I exhibited at the Arts Festival, in Roanoke, Virginia. I might add, they put on a great event, especially the entertainment for the public. Since it was downtown, Roanoke, we were able to visit several restaurants, during our visit.
One of the restaurants, was “Billy’s Ritz”, located adjacent to the Roanoke City Market. It was housed in the previous site of the 60 room “Ames Hotel”, which was built in 1910, according to records. Billy’s Ritz, was an upscale American, Steakhouse, which operated for 27 years, before selling in 2008.
Several other paintings from Roanoke, that I painted, was “Texas Tavern”, “The Roanoke Wiener Stand” and “Agnew Seed Store”.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Texas Tavern
Texas Tavern
Roanoke, Virginia
One of the stops on my Arts and Festival Tour was Roanoke, Virginia. They knew how to put on a festival, complete with great entertainment. Since the festival was just blocks away from the Texas Tavern, which we had heard about, we just had to check it out.
The nostalgia of it all was more than I could hope for. The diner was established in 1930. They claim that it seats 10,000 people (10 at a time). Famous for their Chili, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Cheesy Westerns. I noticed, while sitting at the counter, even the metal pipe that you rest your feet on, had been completely worn through to the middle.
By the readers of the Roanoke Magazine, Texas Tavern was voted the best for: Chili, Hot Dogs, Local Hamburger and Late-Night Diner. If you’re ever in Roanoke, stop downtown at 114 Church Ave. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. You will be glad you did!
Other Roanoke, Virginia places I have painted are: The Roanoke Weiner Stand; Agnew Seed Store and Billy’s Ritz.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…