The Weekend’s Feature Fade: The Art of Walldog Jerry “Orange” Johnson

Seattle WA

Cincinnati OH

all images © Jerry Johnson

Here are ten images from Jerry “Orange Outdoor” Johnson’s private collection. Before establishing Orange as Brooklyn’s premiere hand-painted sign company in 1977, Johnson worked as a walldog for Seaboard Outdoor. These ads represent some of the work he did while at Seaboard and some of his signature murals like “Cash.”

Here is a response from Sam Roberts @ UK Brick Ads to Jerry Johnson’s work:

Frank Jump over in NYC has just posted a collection of ten outstanding images from the work of experienced signwriter (or “wall dog” in USA) Jerry Johnson. Some of these are genuine pieces of advertising and some, like the one pictured, are spoofs. The craftsmanship, or ‘art’ (?), is exceptional and so is the photography. It must be really satisfying finishing off a piece of work and then stepping back to take the first photo.

Empty Field of Mustard Yellow – 60th Street – Boro Park, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

Sunset Industrial Watertower – Early Map – Mouth of Gowanus, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

Library of Congress

Puffer – Funghi

Puffer © Frank H. Jump

Mikva-Tikva and other holy rollers – Marine Park & Flatbush, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

All within a few blocks from one another in Brooklyn are moving vans as prostheletizing vehicles – literally. My Vincenzo has a great contractor’s joke: “The Lord is coming – REPAINT!”

Other holy rollers

More on Nostalgia – Gloria Steinem on Bill Maher

© Frank H. Jump

This past summer I posted Gloria Steinem’s wonderful quote “on nostalgia” while on Maher’s Real Time, juxtaposed to University of Texas (Austin) Professor Gerald Torres‘ quote on PBS: Nostalgia is corrosive. I never did show the sequence of events on Bill Maher though [They were actually talking about binladen (one word in lower case)]. It’s hilarious. I love Gloria- she is such a class act. Although, she might call me classist by saying so.

I also love watching CC TV (closed-captioned). Since the ringing in my ears is way louder than the normal speaking voice, in an attempt to hear-  it repastes context (written) over visual context- like a shift in frame of time – or frame of reference.

Godfrey Propeller Adjusting Corporation – Sunset Park, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

In April of 2005, I went to take pictures of the Godfrey Sign with my digital camera and I saw the garage was opened for the first (and apparently last) time. Formerly at 155 25th Street in Sunset Park Brooklyn across the street from the waterfront (and under the Gowanus Expressway) they have since moved to Staten Island. Another Brooklyn Industry bites the dust.