iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Golden Nugget Pancake House at the corner of Diversey, Elston, and Western. It's been serving up pancakes and other breakfast dishes since 1966 #printmaking

Wide view of Golden Nugget at Diversey/Western/Elston

A 1984 Chicago Tribune advertisement listed the following locations:

- 4229 W. Diversey
- 3959 W. Diversey
- 2720 N. Clark
- 2406 W. Diversey
- 3234 W. Irving Park
- 1765 W. Lawrence
- 6349 N. Clark
- 4344 N. Lincoln
- 5700 W. Irving Park
- 2971 N. Lincoln
- 3180 N. Broadway
- 3001 N. Central

Of these, four remain open today:

- 3959 W. Diversey Ave
- 1765 W. Lawrence Ave
- 3001 N. Central Ave

...and the one featured in this print at 2406 W. Diversey Ave. This is the only one still open 24 hours.

This print is the same as my usual, hand-pressed linocut relief print with oil ink on 16x20 kitakata paper.

Up close, far left showing the Golden Nugget track letter sign

This Golden Nugget has been here since 1966, the same year the first Golden Nugget opened at 2971 N. Lincoln Ave (now the Golden Apple)

Mid section detail, with advertising bench, someone waiting on the bus, and people enjoying breakfast and coffee

3538

Reposted by John Morris

Deigo @yodiegoyo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our Hat & Shoe Repair 11316 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago

A watercolor painting of a storefront window. Behind rusted metal grating, signs and cardboard boxes fill the window. One sign reads “Hat Shoe Repair” another reads “hat/show clean repair”. Neon lettering reads Shoe Repair & Shine.

27318

Reposted by John Morris

gabriel x. michael 🎃👻🕸️ @g-x-m.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Known as the oldest continuous running hot dog stand in Chicago: Dave’s Red Hots, since 1938 — at 3422 West Roosevelt Road, built 1893

0114

Reposted by John Morris

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

TICKETS ARE LIVE, NERDS! Come take a very Lady Topham Catt walk through Morgan Park on 9/20 at 11. I'll be talking historic train stations! Architecture! Black Folks Getting Stuff Done! Women Getting Stuff Done! Neighborhood myths! And yes... there will be terra cotta! Grab a ticket & come through!

eventbrite.com

Morgan Park Walking Tour

Join Chicago for Chicagoans for a walking tour of Morgan Park, covering neighborhood history, architecture, and current events.

25623

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I'm trying out a new offering: custom building illustrations. There are limited spots open now, but more may open up depending on demand. Have you ever wanted an illustration of a particular building? Your home, a favorite building, a place you used to love when you were younger...now's your chance.

25116

Reposted by John Morris

Deigo @yodiegoyo.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Escuela de Manejo Chicago 1856 W 47th St Chicago

A watercolor painting of an abandoned storefront. Brown paper covers the inside of the front window, which has the words “Escuela de Manejo Chicago” written across it. A glass door is covered by a metal grate.

0297

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Progression from drawing to mini print of three South Side two-flats on the 8000 block of S. Rhodes in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago #printmaking

pencil and paper drawing of three South Side Chicago two-flats

carved lino block of three South Side Chicago two-flats

inked lino block of three South Side Chicago two-flats

lino print of three South Side Chicago two-flats

16512

Reposted by John Morris

Max Chavez @maxchavez.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

So excited to announce the release of my book ART DECO WORLD! A global survey of the beloved style’s past 100 years from inception to rebirth (to rebirth again!), it will be released September 1. U.S. and int’l readers can register for a pre-order link here: www.routledge.com/Art-Deco-Wor...

A book cover showing vivid Art Deco theater painted in pink, orange, yellow, and blue. Above the theater in the sky are large yellow letters reading ART DECO WORLD.

1219639

Reposted by John Morris

Deigo @yodiegoyo.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

16 of my watercolors will be on display at Lula Cafe for the next few months. Eight of these paintings are for sale, and you can find details on my website. Prints are available as well.

A photo of a watercolor painting in a black frame. The painting depicts a two-story brick building with a band of blue sky occupying the top third or so of the image. The shadows of a row of overturned barstools run across the wall and painting

0216

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Three two-flats on Pulaski near 31st in Little Village. At first glance they all look identical with ground level entrances and large front gables But there are small stylistic variations making each one unique 4x6 mini #linocut print

This style of two-flat with large front stepped gables and ground level entrances are mostly on the NW and SW side of the city, particularly the SW side. I've never figured out why they are so heavily concentrated there. There are a few on the NW side in neighborhoods like Avondale and Mayfair too

This is a miniature linocut print depicting 3 brick two-flats on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Printed with black oil ink on kitakata paper

0194

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Font 21: CLEANERS is inspired by the Pride Cleaners sign in the Chatham neighborhood in Chicago. It was recently announced that Pride Cleaners would be closing, but hopefully the amazing sign and iconic building will be saved 🤞🤞🤞 www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts/p/clea...

thechicagoneighborhoods.com

Cleaners: A Chicago-inspired Font — The Chicago Neighborhoods

CLEANERS is a font that inspired by the Pride Cleaners sign in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood.

2307

Reposted by John Morris

starch mogul @posts-cards.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

deltiologists deride the technical/artistic quality of the linen postcards popular in the 1930s & 1940s because the production process was much more mechanized BUT before mass producing them, they’d hand-paint a mockup for customer approval, which are lovely little art objects themselves

Curt teich linen postcard of the holy trinity russian Orthodox Church in chicago, a white church on a residential corner

hand painted mockup of the church postcard—the text in particular looks very human, but so do the leaves and trees and clouds

2153

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

New mini print featuring three Chicago two-flats in North Mayfair

Linocut print featuring three Chicago bungalows.

The middle and right two flats are similar in appearance with square front bay windows and a ground level entrance. Despite the overall similar style there are many minor differences between the two, including castellated brickwork on the middle one.

4800 block of N. Kostner. All built in the early 1920s

1285

Reposted by John Morris

endlessrevisions @endlessrevisions.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Massachusetts St. - Gary

A mixed media painting of an abandoned building in Gary, Indiana.

041

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

A set of three three-flats and a corner store and flats building at the corner of California and Armitage in Logan Square Oil ink #linocut print with a splash of color via oil pastel for the three-flat covered in ivy

A linocut relief print of residential buildings in Chicago, featuring a mix of styles. Romanesque on the far left, light Neoclassical in the left and middle. And a store and flats and building on the right features a mostly classical ornament with some Victorian whimsical ornament.

The second building with ivy is colored green while the rest of the buildings are monochrome

1362

Reposted by John Morris

starch mogul @posts-cards.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

how fucking cool

turzak print of the north branch of the chicago river, steel ganties wiht the merchandise mart in the background

turzak print of the michigan avenue bridge, wrigley building, and tribune tower

turzak print "the workers" stylized men holding a sledgehammer, a book, etc.

0246

Reposted by John Morris

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

I'm glad I ran across this blog post from @chigeek.bsky.social about the old Chicago architecture Twitter scene and her impressive output on the platform. I've learned so much from her over the years and always felt like she's an essential follow. chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com/p/good-bye-t...

chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com

Good-Bye to Architecture Twitter

As people delete or abandon their Twitter accounts due to its changes related to content ownership etc. that begin today, September 29th, I thought I’d look back at some of the content I’ve provided o...

1334

Reposted by John Morris

endlessrevisions @endlessrevisions.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

51st & Wood - Chicago

A mixed media painting of a two floor, seemingly abandoned building with a small grocery store painted green with white hand lettering listing groceries and Link card information. It seems like it might be morning but my head is a bit foggy.

0445

Reposted by John Morris

chigeek.bsky.social @chigeek.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

I wrote about the School of the Art Institute of Chicago selling artist Roger Brown’s Home and Studio at 1926 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park, and the potential demolition of the historic property. chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com/p/the-future...

chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com

The Future of Roger Brown's Home & Studio

This past week Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business reported that the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is selling the historic 19th-century building in Chicago’s Lincoln Park where artist R...

1258

Reposted by John Morris

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Tiny Chicago on press. #letterpress

Small metal type ornamental cityscape locked in a printing press.

0476

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

A poster at the Sokol Community Center with a few different typefaces that could be from @chgohoods.bsky.social

Recruitment poster at Sokol Community Center at Elston and Kilbourn with a few Art Deco era typefaces

171

Reposted by John Morris

Max Chavez @maxchavez.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Hennepin Avenue Bridge (1990) by HNTB and the Grain Belt Beer Sign (1941), moved to its current location in 1950.

A suspension bridge at night. There is a neon sign next to it that says “Grain Belt Beer” on a bottle cap. The bridge and sign are reflected in water below.

1346

Reposted by John Morris

starch mogul @posts-cards.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

851 w montrose 1977, "man, on way to lake to fish, dies and is taken away by fire department, ambulance on montrose ave." jonas dovydenas photo

black and white photo ambulance man splayed out on ground while others stand around, appears to be in front of a bar with an old style sign

0123

Reposted by John Morris

old roadside pics @roadside.xor.blue · 15/06/2025

windmill gas, ellensburg, washington, 1987

010616

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Now available: River North, featuring a view of the Reid Murdoch Building, Marina City, and a boat cruising down the river while giving an architectural tour. 👋 Oh hey, that looks like Chicago's First Lady, doesn't it @chiarchitecture.bsky.social www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/shop/p/river...

1144

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Trim 'n Tidy appreciation post.

0122

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

A 1920s yellow brick three-flat with a splash of color in the garden #printmaking

A linocut print of a 1920s yellow brick three-flat a few blocks west of Horner Park in Chicago. Color added to garden via oil pastel

0588

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

My favorite museum in the city has joined the series. So many good memories visiting MSI as a child, and making new ones now every time I bring my own kid!

0171

Reposted by John Morris

Anjulie Rao @anjulierao.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

I don’t write about furniture because I’ll never be a “good taste” person; but for Untapped I wrote about the mythology of MCM design. Why does its aesthetic continually speak to so many—even in cheap knockoffs? www.untappedjournal.com/issues/issue...

untappedjournal.com

Furniture That Supports Us, When and Where We Need It

The allure of Midcentury Modern objects isn’t just about craftsmanship.

16513

Reposted by John Morris

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Made the pilgrimage to see Z Erol Smith’s polychrome pièce de résistance, one of Chicago terra cotta nerdom’s most revered sites

Color photo of part of a one story terra cotta clad building, taken from across the street. Between green tiles arranged in a rather ingenious basketweave design is a grid of white and orange tiles interspersed with small, horizontal bands of gold. Centered in this grid is a spectacular Art Deco foliate design in green, blue, fuchsia and orange. Two storefronts with large reflective windows sit underneath, one with a large sign reading PERFECT HAIR, the other too faded to read.

06411

Reposted by John Morris

Deigo @yodiegoyo.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

2617 W. North Ave Chicago

A watercolor painting of a storefront. Above the central door hangs a yellow sign with the words “We buy gold, diamonds, silver, electronics, tools, antiques, etc.” written in blue. Flanking the door, the storefront windows are blocked by plywood on one side and piled high with cardboard boxes on the other side. A pink bay window juts out from the second floor of the building, its windows cast in shadow or reflecting a neighboring building.

212113

Reposted by John Morris

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Starting new direct mail dispatches. If you’d like an occasional postcard about what’s happening at Starshaped, you can read more about it and sign up at this link. Free for everyone. www.starshaped.com/blog/2025/1/...

starshaped.com

Announcing Extra! Extra! — Starshaped Press

The thing about print that’s always grabbed me, that’s always inspired me to keep pushing forward, is the tangible result of piecing together ideas. It’s the creation of a physical artifact that conn...

1292

Reposted by John Morris

Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Starshaped Press, Chicago's beloved purveyor of old school letterpress prints, is now on Bluesky at @starshapedpress.bsky.social!

starshaped.com

Starshaped Press

0281

John Morris @john-morris.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Took a brief detour to check out a courtyard sculpture while walking my daughter to school this morning

Statue in midcentury courtyard apartment building as snow falls

090

Reposted by John Morris

thechicagoneighborhoods.com @chgohoods.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Font 17: TIED HOUSE. This one is inspired by some long-hidden panes of glass in the 100+ year old former Schlitz Tied House at 94th and Ewing in East Side. The bar is currently being renovated and is now named the East Side Tap. thechicagoneighborhoods.com/shop/tied-ho...