Elkhart – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

Pete’s Simonton Lake Tavern

July 27, 2021July 27, 2021 Admin

Pete’s Simonton Lake Tavern

Artist Larry Johnston

One of the oldest family operated restaurant-bar combinations in Elkhart, Indiana was Pete’s Simonton Lake Tavern. Located on the east side of State Road 19 (Cassopolis St.) Pete’s was open 7 days per week, serving appetizers, Dinners, Baskets, Soups, Salads, Pizza and Sandwiches. Rib-eye and chopped Steaks, Hamburgers, Italian Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chicken, Chicken wings and several Seafood plates were among the favorites.

Pete’s was a local favorite for years, so I had to capture it in one of my paintings. It is now called “Re-Pete’s” under new ownership as of 2018.

I hope my painting will keep Pete’s image of one Elkhart’s historic places remembered for years to come.

Larry Johnston

Lerner Theatre Sign

October 21, 2020February 21, 2021 Admin

The Lerner Theatre Sign

Elkhart, IN

The Lerner Theatre is the key focus of Elkhart, Indiana with their giant sign inviting everyone up and down Main Street to see what’s going on inside the Lerner Theatre, whether it is a performance, movie, or another type of gathering.

When you see the big Lerner sign, you cannot help, but to immediately read what is on the marquee below. It is always exciting when you see that sign with anticipation of the performance you are about to witness.

This painting was selected to exhibit at the Juried Regional at the Midwest Museum of American Art, located in Elkhart, IN.

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, Warner Theatre, Elkhart.

English Cottage at Wellfield Botanical Gardens

October 19, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Wellfield Gardens, Elkhart, IN

From the English Cottage Garden

Wellfield Gardens is such a great place to visit and every year, we see that they have added more trails and opened more areas to see. After my first visit to Wellfield, I made it a point to include it among my paintings of Elkhart. The English Cottage is the backdrop for many Wedding photos.

The painting was done in 2014. I painted it as a moonlit night after a rain. I am now painting some evening scenes and reflections in the rain. I will be showcasing them in later paintings.

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.

Elkhart Train Depot

October 12, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston

Elkhart Train Depot

Elkhart, Indiana

The Elkhart Train Depot was built in 1900 and serviced the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad until 1914. New York Central road the rails for many years. In 1971 passengers started using the Depot for their Amtrak travels. It is used as a stopping place for pick up and delivery of passengers, however tickets cannot be purchased there.

Just on the other side of the tracks across from the depot is the National New York Central Railroad Museum. Both are located downtown Elkhart, IN.

**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” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

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Cappy’s Northside Tavern & Restaurant

October 12, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston

**Cappy’s Northside Tavern & Restaurant**

**Elkhart, IN**

Do you love to find a little gem of a restaurant in those out of the way places, where the food is excellent, as well as the friendliness of the staff. Well, here it is. Cappy’s is not located on the main street of town or at Restaurant Row. You can find Cappy’s hidden on the north side of town where all the thriving businesses used to be. Located at 1000 North Michigan Street and Mishawaka St. in Elkhart, the food and service is always great. They not only have a great meal, but their bar has several TVs to watch Sports programs while you have a brew and make new friends or just hang out with some old one’s.

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

Simonton Lake Drive In

October 12, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston

**Simonton Lake Drive-in**

**Elkhart, IN**

The era of the 1950s were dominated with the classic cars we now remember and occasionally see at car shows and old movies. There were plenty of popular Drive-in Restaurants, complete with car hops. Elkhart was without exception.

The Simonton Lake Drive-in on Cassopolis Street has endured the years and is still a place to go for fast food and fast cars, when they have their “Cruise-in” car shows. Oh, yes, they also have the car hops to deliver your order.

Home made Root Beer is the signature drink that attracts the customers. Along with their Root Beer in a frosty mug, you may order a burger and fries, or just an ice cream treat, such as a sundae, shake, or even a banana split. Yummy!

This painting was chosen to exhibit in the Juried Art show at the Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, Indiana in 2019.

**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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Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge

October 12, 2020December 27, 2022 Admin

Copyright Larry Johnston

**Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge**

**Elkhart, IN**

Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge is located, in the heart of Elkhart at 117 W. Jackson Blvd. Once named “Bozos”, Mike Crimaldi and his mother Shirley bought it in 1980 and after several years changed the name to Crimaldi’s in 1988, making it one of the go-to places for great food and social activities

When planning the painting, I decided to make it look like 1988 when Crimaldi’s officially opened with the current name. I had a lot of fun creating a local hot spot for social life and good food, complete with cars of the time.

**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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