Billy Goat Tavern

Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

Billy Goat Tavern,

Chicago, IL.

I have participated in a number of Art Festivals in the Chicago area over the years, including Wells Street’s, Old Town Art Festival.  Some of the painting I have done for the area, were: The Chicago Theatre;   Superdawg;   Wrigley Field;   Hot Diggity Dog, but one of my favorites is The Billy Goat Tavern.

The Billy Goat Tavern was established in 1934 and was located across from the Chicago Stadium. .  The goat wandered into his establishment.  In 1964, Billy Goat moved his business to its present location.

The Curse of the Cubs – The Chicago White Stockings, became the Cubs in 1903. From 1876 to 1945, they had one of the best teams in the Country.  On October 6, 1945 the Chicago Cubs entered game 4 of the World Series and to bring luck to the team, he brought his goat “Murphy”!  Since they did not allow animals in the stadium, they refused entrance.

Billy went to the owner, but was still refused entrance with the goat.  Being upset, he declared that the Cubs would no longer win a World Series, as long as the goat was refused entrance to Wrigley Field.  They lost the series that year and has not won a World Series since.

Saturday Night Live made the Billy Goat Tavern famous! SNL highlighted the tavern, with Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Loraine Newman. A sign outside the tavern quotes those famous lines: Cheezborger! Cheezborger! Cheezborger! “No-Pepsi – Coke”.

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

 

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

 

 

Wrigley Field

Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

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!

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