Ice Cream – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

The Chief Ice Cream

April 5, 2021April 21, 2021 Admin

The Chief Ice Cream

Goshen, Indiana

Nostalgia Artist Larry Johnston

When Spring arrives, thoughts of warm weather, being outdoors, the approaching Summer with trips to the beach, swimming at many of the local lakes and most of all, The “CHIEF ICE CREAM” in Goshen, now with a new location in Granger. For over 25 years, The Chief has become a social staple to Goshen, Indiana. With that in mind, my latest painting was a no brainer. With both seasonal locations opening, my painting is a reminder of the homemade ice cream they offer and the many flavors available throughout the season.

**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

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

Bonnie Doon, 4th Street, 1950’s

October 23, 2020January 24, 2021 Admin

Bonnie Doon Drive-in, 1950s

Mishawaka, IN

Bonnie Doon had 5 Drive-in ice cream restaurants in the area. This was the original store where all the ice cream was made and sent to the others. It had a drive-in area as well as inside seating. I painted it to reflect the 1950s era. The ice cream became so popular that the grocery stores in the area were carrying their packaged flavors. I personally loved their banana splits and shakes. 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 in the 1940s on 4th St in Mishawaka.

around the sides of the wood.

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.

Azar’s Big Boy

October 14, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Azar’s Big Boy

South Bend, IN

Azar’s Big Boy was a typical 1950s Drive-in, complete with Car Hops. It was right next to another Drive-in called Bonnie Doon. The back of the drive-ins was an alley, so it became a way to go in one and drive to the other and exit back to the street, around the block and do it all over again. This was called the “Merry-go-round”. Also popular in the 1960s, when I was in High School were motor scooters. The 2 pictured are the Cushman brand. The one of the left is like the one my brother drove. It even had a stick shift. Another popular scooter at the time was the Allstate. It had bubble type fenders with a storage compartment on one side, unlike the red Cushman with the storage compartment under the seat.

This painting was one of my first paintings when I started featuring classic cars.

around the sides of the wood.

Bonnie Doon Drive-in,US 31 N

October 13, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Bonnie Doon,

US 31 North, South Bend, Indiana.

There were 5 local Bonnie Doon ice cream shops that were drive-ins, in the South Bend – Mishawaka, Indiana area. I had painted a couple of the stores when a couple approached me and wanted a painting of the drive-in on US 31 north, which was located between South Bend, Indiana and Niles, Michigan. It was just north of a community called Roseland.

There was a catch to this painting though. The couple had been married at the church, across from this particular Bonnie Doon drive-in. The wife and her mother had both worked there, and while the couple had dated, they spend many evenings at Bonnie Doon. Here’s the catch! I told them I would paint their car in the painting. We compromised and I painted all the cars they had owned since they had been married into the picture, in all the correct colors.

As you can see, here is the final result. The prints of the painting became popular and I have painted the same place with other personal cars in the paintings, BUT NOT AS MANY! I had a ball creating this painting. Here the other Bonnie Doon paintings I have painted: Bonnie Doon, S. Michigan St., South Bend; Bonnie Doon on Lincolnway West in Mishawaka: Bonnie Doon in the 1940s on 4th St in Mishawaka; Bonnie Doon on 4th St. Mishawaka in the 1950s.

around the sides of the wood.

24” x 36” ……….Original Painting on stretched canvas Not Available

Bonnie Doon Drive-in South Michigan St

October 13, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnstobn — Copyright Larry Johnston

**Bonnie Doon Drive-in, S. Michigan St.,**

**South Bend, Indiana**.

Bonnie Doon Ice Cream started in 1941 and in 1944, they opened their first drive-in. One of their most popular locations was on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana. At the time, when I frequented that location, there were 5 locations in the area.

During my High School days, Michigan Street was a one-way street going north and the next street over, Main Street was one way going south. Bonnie Doon and Azar’s Big Boy sat next door to each other, so they became the hang out as the cars would drives through both establishments, go around the block and back through, over and over, eventually referred to as the merry-go-round. The teenagers would sit on their cars in the parking lot and watch the cars go by. I remember the cars stopping along Main Street to meet. I am sure many romances started at Bonnie Doon.

I have decided to bring back some of these historic buildings that have since become vacant or torn down. This painting on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana, brought back memories and stories from the people who saw it. I asked my customers if they could find the Corvette Stingray in the painting. Most couldn’t find it, until I pointed out the reflection in the side of the car in the foreground. I have since painted Bonnie Doon – US 31, South Bend, Bonnie Doon 4^th St, Mishawaka 1940, Bonnie Doon 4^th St., Mishawaka 1950s, Bonnie Doon- Lincolnway, Mishawaka, Indiana.

**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

Copyright Larry Johnston

**Bonnie Doon Drive-in, S. Michigan St.,**

**South Bend, Indiana**.

Bonnie Doon Ice Cream started in 1941 and in 1944, they opened their first drive-in. One of their most popular locations was on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana. At the time, when I frequented that location, there were 5 locations in the area.

During my High School days, Michigan Street was a one-way street going north and the next street over, Main Street was one way going south. Bonnie Doon and Azar’s Big Boy sat next door to each other, so they became the hang out as the cars would drives through both establishments, go around the block and back through, over and over, eventually referred to as the merry-go-round. The teenagers would sit on their cars in the parking lot and watch the cars go by. I remember the cars stopping along Main Street to meet. I am sure many romances started at Bonnie Doon.

I have decided to bring back some of these historic buildings that have since become vacant or torn down. This painting on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana, brought back memories and stories from the people who saw it. I asked my customers if they could find the Corvette Stingray in the painting. Most couldn’t find it, until I pointed out the reflection in the side of the car in the foreground. I have since painted Bonnie Doon – US 31, South Bend, Bonnie Doon 4^th St, Mishawaka 1940, Bonnie Doon 4^th St., Mishawaka 1950s, Bonnie Doon- Lincolnway, Mishawaka, Indiana.

**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

Bonnie Doon Ice Cream 4th Street 1940’s

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

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

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

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, 4^th St., Mishawaka 1940 …..Bonnie Doon, 4^th 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 4^th 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!

around the sides of the wood.

Buckeye Store

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Buckeye Confectionery

Phoenix, Arizona

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State, as most of us know. While exhibiting at an art show in Wyandotte, Michigan, not too far from the Ohio – Michigan state line, the show draws people from Ohio and Indiana, as well as Michigan.

A couple from Ohio saw my display and was interested in having a painting done from an old black and white photograph of their great grandfather’s store, that he opened after leaving Ohio many years ago. The store was located in Phoenix, Arizona at 2120 Buckeye Road. I have no idea where the connection is, as far as the town of Buckeye and their great grandfather. At the time I wasn’t familiar with the town of Buckeye, but thought it was interesting, that the street had the same name as the store, (almost).

It’s exciting to meet people and their history and then to become part of it, to be passed down through their future family.

Bob Jo’s Frozen Custard

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Bob Jo’s Frozen Custard

Wyandotte, Michigan

Bob Jo’s Frozen ice cream shop was established in 1947 and has been going strong ever since. The have all the favorite frozen desserts, including Yogurt and Frozen Custard. To keep the customers flocking in, they change their flavors of yogurt and custard once a week. We had to stop several times while in the area at 4071 Fort St., Wyandotte, MI.

I returned the following year to the Wyandotte Art Festival with prints and found that Bob Jo’s was a collectable item to the locals.

Other paintings from the area were Watkins Diner: A & W Root Beer Drive-in and Fort George Drive-in Theatre.

Dairy Queen

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Dairy Queen

Charlotte, North Carolina

This is one of my first paintings as I started traveling around the country exhibiting in Art Show and Festivals. It was the oldest Dairy Queen in that region at the time. The overhanging roof was made of aluminum, painted as if it were a fabric awning. The design was unlike any other I had seen in other places, so felt compelled to paint it. I have a number of requests for 1965 Ford Mustangs in my work, so I put one in this painting. The Dairy Queen at 2732 Wilkinson Blvd, in Charlotte has since closed, but many people remember when there were lines waiting outside the window to order a frozen treat or hot dog

around the sides of the wood.

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