Theater – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

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.

Los Angeles Theatre

January 2, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

The Los Angeles Theatre

While looking for nostalgic places to paint, I was asked at a show if I had any theatres. South Bend, where I grew up, had several, so I took pictures of the buildings, which were still standing, I started researching the History of the theatres and was able to reconstruct them to the year of their beginning.

I started with the Palace Theatre in South Bend and eventually painted theatres in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Detroit and New Jersey. I also painted several Drive-in Theatres.

The Los Angeles Theatre, located at 615 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles opened in 1931. The inside was decorated with murals, mirrors and carved plaster and was made primarily for showing films. The theatre is equipped for live stage performances, as well as for showing movies.

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; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ, Warner Theatre, Elkhart 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″ 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

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.