During the first two seasons of Twin Peaks, there are two paintings prominently featured above booths at the Double R Diner set. The desert-themed image is by artist Norman Yeckley is titled “Spring Formal.” But what about the ocean-themed image in the adjacent booth? After some extensive research, I discovered the origin of that painting too.
WHAT IS THE OCEAN PAINTING AT THE DOUBLE R DINER IN TWIN PEAKS?
The second piece of artwork most often seen in the Double R Diner is titled “Sea Foam” by English artist Jon Atwood.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much information available about Atwood. From my research, it appears he painted several ocean scenes including “Sea Foam” during the 1950s or 1960s.
One closed sale on Etsy.com stated this print on canvas board was created for Donald Art Company International Gallery Prints. It was #308 and published for Winde Asssociates Inc. based in New York. According to a newspaper article from The Standard Star on April 21, 1969, this company was the “leading supplier of supermarket continuity promotions and premiums.
This company was started by former sales manager with Museum Print Editions, originated the idea of selling reproductions of famous artwork for supermarket promotions in 1966. The advertisement above from June 1969 shows how the supermarket promotion worked.
Yet, they were not the original company to offer art reproductions for unbelievably low prices.
R.T.V. SALES, INC. AND GREAT ART TREASURES
Digging deeper, I discovered the following advertisement from Great Art Treasures in the Daily News on June 16, 1965.
Atwood’s “Sea Foam” was offered as mail order art for “only $3.”
A few weeks later, Great Art ran a “Sea Foam”-specific advertisement in The Indianapolis News on July 6, 1965. This is the advertisement where I discovered Atwood was an English artist.
Great Art Treasures, sometimes listed as “Great Art,” was a division of R.T.V. Sales, Inc once located at 420 Lexington Avenue in New York, New York. This is the address for the Graybar Building named for Graybar Electric Company, a communications and telephone firm who had their corporate headquarters in the building from 1927 to 1982.
It appears Great Art Treasures began the mail order art business at some point in 1962 with offerings of 100 reproductions of famous artwork and advertisements like the one above. The earlier ad I found was in The Cincinnati Enquirer on December 2, 1962 (far left above). The ad was repeated in Janaury 1963 using an image of the Mona Lisa. In 1964, Great Art Treasures were selling four-panel reproduction prints either of “charming, wide-eyed full color moppets” or “hand-brocaded Chinese panels.”
The ads for the low-cost reproduction artwork continued each month throughout 1966, with November 20, 1966 ads appearing in multiple newspapers across the country (probably in advance of holiday shopping). I particularly like the “lovable wide-eyed youths that are becoming the rage with art lovers all over America.” They look like something from that Twilight Zone episode, “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.”
I particularly like the print in the upper left corner who looks like a young Number 6 from my other favorite television show, The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan. I am not a number, I am a “wide-eyed youth!”
By August 1967, the R.T.V. Sales, Inc. changed “Great Art Treasures” to “The Homestead” yet they continued to sell low-cost print reproductions. The last newspaper ad I found was in October 1969. There was virtually no information about the company, including who ran it or which artists they used.
Most likely, Jon Atwood was an artist hired to paint this image for  mass production. This reminds me of the Robert Wood painting found in Gersten Hayward’s apartment. Not surprisingly, Wood’s work was also offered by Great Art Treasures.
This mail order artwork could explain why I’ve seen numerous prints of similar style and subject at antique malls and thrift shops for years. The company flooded the market with these reproductions which probably have little to no value today.
APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS
Here are a handful of appearances of Atwood’s “Sea Foam” throughout the first two seasons of the show.
Interestingly, the artwork is not seen in episode 1.001. Notice how it’s missing behind Cooper and Truman as the Log Lady leaves the Double R Diner. The same is said for episode 1.003 when the Bookhouse Boys meet with Special Agent Dale Cooper.
By the David Lynch-directed second episode (1.002), the image is placed above the booth behind Audrey Horne and Donna Hayward. It’s difficult to say why it wasn’t present during the first episode. Though artwork has been known to move around throughout the series.
It returns again in episode 1.004 (seen behind James Hurley speaking on the phone). It’s also found in episode 1.005 when Maddy Ferguson orders her Cherry Coke but doesn’t drink it. It’s also seen behind Hank Jennings when Norma and Shelly return to the diner after their “day of beauty.” It’s also seen b behind Hank Jennings as he talks with Norma about his time in jail during episode 1.007.
With the start of season two, “Sea Foam” is above the booth when Maddy and Donna chat at the diner, and later when Bobby and Major Briggs have a conversation.
As Richard Tremayne discusses his organizational skills with Lucy during lunch in episode 2.003, you can see both paintings behind the couple. It’s also found when Donna discovers James and Maddy holding hands later in the episode.
Tricking the Double R Diner out like Christmas on the Fourth of July included keeping “Sea Foam” above the booth near District Attorney Daryl Lodwick.
The image is present behind Ed and Nadine as she smashes a glass at the Double R Diner counter during episode 2.007.
Part of the print is seen when Deputy Andy Brennan is enjoying pie at the diner in episode 2.009.
As Norma Jennings says farewell to her mother in episode 2.010, you can see an out-of-focus print behind her.
The mini-Mod Squad reunion in episode 2.011 has Agent Roger Hardy (Clarence Williams III) sitting in a booth as he speaks with Norma. Atwood’s “Sea Foam” image is seen behind Hardy.
The same episode also has the image behind Uncle Andy and Uncle Dick as they enjoy malteds with Little Nicky.
Part of the print is seen when Agent Denise Bryson confronts Ernie Niles about activity at Dead Dog Farm.
Mike Nelson and Nadine Butler Hurley share a moment at the Double R Diner in episode 2.013. A man wearing a cowboy hat is sitting behind them under the watchful eye of Atwood’s “Sea Foam.”
The painting is also seen when Big Ed talks with Doc Hayward in episode 2.014.
Chess lessons with Pete Martell in episode 2.015 has the painting in the background.
Annie Blackburn walks by the image when she arrives at the Double R Diner in episode 2.017.
It may be the camera angle but the image is missing from episode 2.018 when the Log Lady sits at the counter as Shelly Johnson serves pie. Gordon Cole would soon speak with Ms. Johnson but the “Sea Foam” image appears to have been removed.
When Gordon Cole and Shelly Johnson make room for Dale Cooper and Annie Blackburn in episode 2.019, you can see the image in the background.
In episode 2.020, the seascape is seen behind Shelly Johnson and Bobby Briggs as they discuss the Miss Twin Peaks contest.
The final appearance of “Sea Foam” is found in episode 2.022 when Dr. Jacoby escorts Sarah Palmer to relay a message to Major Briggs.
The image never returns to the Double R Dinner after the final episode of season two. After seeing all of these appearances, I want to find one for my home.
