Ohio – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

BBF – Burger Boy Food-O-Rama

October 28, 2020January 24, 2021 Admin

BBF

Burger Boy Food-O-Rama

Columbus, Ohio

BBF first opened in Columbus, Ohio in 1961 competing with the McDonald’s fast food chain. They eventually opened 48 BBF restaurants in Ohio West Virginia and Kentucky before it was sold in 1970 to Bordon, Inc. The revolving neon Rotospheres on top of their sign always fascinated me and I’m sure it helped attract business. I painted the BBF to accept the sign, as well as the nostalgic history of one of the 15 cent hamburger pioneers. I also included a few classic cars of the time to add to the nostalgia.

**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” White Edge ………. $168.07

12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07

16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)

16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)

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” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting on stretched canvas

Germantown Depot

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Germantown Train Depot

Germantown, Ohio

While on my way from an Art Festival in Ripley, West Virginia to another in downtown, Detroit, Michigan, we had some extra time, so we started sightseeing some of the back roads to find some great subject matter to paint.

During that time, Train Depots were on my to do list, when we came upon the one in Germantown, Ohio. I took several photos of the building and later painted it. There were four Railroad Depots that were in my “Depot Set”, with Germantown being one of them. The other three were, the depot in Whistle Stop Depot, Juliette, GA, Cartersville, GA and the Depot in Hope Arkansas. I have since painted the Elkhart, IN Depot.

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.

Skyline Chili #2

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

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.

around the sides of the wood.

Skyline Chili #1

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

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.

around the sides of the wood.

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

Mail Pouch Barn

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Swenson’s Ice Cream

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Swenson’s Ice Cream and Drive-in

Akron, Ohio

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was busy taking photos of old restaurants and diners, to use as a subject for my paintings. Some of them had been around for years and we lived with them on-a-daily- basis, but we never thought that one day they would be gone.

Some of the buildings were torn down literally days after taking pictures of them. Others were remodeled and new signed installed. What I captured was the memories of the beginnings of many of these businesses.

While exhibiting in Akron, Ohio, I found Swenson’s on Cuyahoga Falls Avenue and took photos of it. After finishing the painting, the drive-in was remodeled with a canopy to park under while ordering and waiting for your order.

It was popular in North Akron when I was there, serving Hamburgers, French Fries, Malts, Shakes and other great food, that became famous in the 1940s and 1950s.