Automobiles – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

Warner Theatre

October 12, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston — Werner Theatre 1930s

Copyright Larry Johnston

**The Warner Theatre**

**Elkhart, Indiana, Early 1930s.**

The Lerner Theatre was built in Elkhart in 1924 by Harry E Lerner and was later sold to the Warner family, who changed the name to “The Warner”. The Warner theatre name existed from 1931 to 1933, then was sold. It was named “The ELCO” until 2011, when it was returned to its original name, “The Lerner” and renovated into the venue you now see.

I found a black and white photo of what the Werner looked like in its heyday and recreated it in Acrylic paint on stretched canvas to bring back the era of the early 1930s, complete with the trolley. The electric car, now on display at the Ruthmere museum is also in the painting.

This painting was finished in September of 2015 and chosen as part of the exhibit of the “Juried Regional” at the Midwest Museum of American Art, from September until mid-December 2015.

Other Theatres I have painted are: The Palace in South Bend, IN; The Reese in Plymouth, IN; Fox in Detroit, Atlanta’s Fox, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Chicago Theatre; The Los Angeles Theatre; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, 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 $1,295

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50s Diner

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

The 50s Diner.

Sarasota, Florida

While we were in Sarasota, Florida, we visited my cousin for few days. Since he is a car collector and exhibits his cars at the car shows in Florida, he was impressed with my Diner paintings. There was a local diner in Sarasota, called the 50s Diner and he asked if I would paint it with a couple of his cars in the painting. All four of the cars shown belonged to him at the time.

This painting added to the classic car inventory of the available prints.

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″ 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” Original Painting on canvas Not Available.

Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon

Cape Coral, Florida

If you have not visited Bubba’s, you need to put it on your bucket list. Located just east of Burnt Store Road, you can find it at 2121 SW Pine Island Road, in Cape Coral, Florida.

The steakhouse was constructed from 90% recycled parts from old warehouses that were demolished. When you check out the decor in Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, you will find all kinds of memorabilia, including an extensive Beer Can collection and license plates from all 50 States.

You can get in on the fun with their Karaoke and live entertainment. Call for times and dates.

While exhibiting at the Cape Coral Street Arts Festival, the owner approached me to paint a picture of his Steakhouse. I had a lot of fun, because there was neon everywhere and a parking lot full of cars. I put some special cars in the painting for him, including “Elvis”. The Cape Coral Festival was one of my favorites.

around the sides of the wood.

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.

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.

Jimmy’s Hurricane

December 30, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Jimmy’s Hurricane

Miami, Florida

Jimmy Ellenburg, was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2000 as an outstanding quarterback and halfback at Miami High School. In the three years that he played, he had two State Championships and graduated in 1935. Years later, Jimmy opened up the restaurant in Miami, Florida. He and his wife operated the restaurant from 1950 to 1966. Since I painted nostalgic places, I was told about a restaurant that was famous in the area, so I started doing some research. The restaurant no longer exists and Jimmy has since passed away, but the memory of his accomplishments and his famous restaurant remains.

around the sides of the wood.

24” x 36” ………. Original Painting on stretched canvas not available.

Fox Theatre Atlanta #1 Singin’ in the Rain

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

The FOX Theatre

Atlanta, GA

“Singin’ in the Rain”

Located in the middle of Atlanta, Georgia the FOX Theatre, built and opened in 1929, with vaudeville and later cinema, now features Broadway Shows and Theatrical performances. Since the theatre has become an Icon to Atlanta, I felt it necessary to create a painting of the famous FOX.

The original painting was sold at the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park, just east of Atlanta. The festival is one of the top-rated festivals in the country. Prints of the painting were popular through the years of exhibiting around the country, especially in Georgia. It was one of the first paintings where I highlighted the painting with rain and water reflections at night.

Other Theatres I have painted are: The Palace in South Bend, IN; The Reese in Plymouth, IN; Fox in Detroit, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Chicago Theatre; The Los Angeles Theatre; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ, Warner Theatre, Elkhart and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, Indiana.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.

Chicago Theatre

December 29, 2014April 21, 2021 Admin

The Chicago Theatre,

Downtown, Chicago, Illinois.

There was a time when I started painting neon signs in the paintings, so while I was in Chicago, I couldn’t help but to photograph the Chicago Theatre. Little did I know at the time, the hit movie “Chicago” would be released to the theatres within a year of when the painting was finished. The painting became the center of attention shortly thereafter. The movie came out in 2002 and has become one of my favorites, especially the music soundtrack.

The Chicago theatre, was built in 1921 for 4 million dollars, which included ornate architecture and beautiful murals above the stage and on the ceiling. The vertical “Chicago” sign outside measured six stories high.

The theatre closed in 1985 and was saved from demolition and reopened in 1986 with a gala performance by Frank Sinatra.

The Chicago, is one of several theatres I have painted from around the country. Other Theatres I have painted are: The Palace in South Bend, IN; The Reese in Plymouth, IN; Fox in Detroit, Atlanta’s Fox, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Los Angeles Theatre; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ, Warner Theatre, Elkhart and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, Indiana.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.

Rosie’s Diner #2

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Nostalgia Painting Larry Johnston

Rosie’s Diner (2nd Painting)

Rockford, Michigan

While at an art festival, I had my Rosie’s Diner painting on display. One of my customers liked the painting, but wanted his car put into the painting. It was a smaller painting with only his own car highlighted. Rosie’s seemed to be a very busy place for photos of everyone’s favorite car. Here is a link to my first Rosie’s painting. Other Silver Diner paintings that I have done are: Pelican Diner, St Pete Beach, FL; Inside the Silver Diner, Red; Inside the Silver Diner, Pink.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.

Oliver Ford

December 29, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Oliver Ford

Plymouth, IN

Oliver Ford, Located in Plymouth, Indiana is one of the commission paintings that I have done over many years. The painting was a gift from the owner’s children. They wanted their new dealership painted and also wanted specific vehicles added to the painting. It was a lot of fun adding vehicles to the painting to make it look realistic.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.