Krista V. Allenstein - midwest optimistic artist

An original oil painting of a classic parisian building. The facade is covered in flowers and the words, “There is a story behind every window,” spelled out alongside of the building in various spots.

14 x 18 inches

framed in a vintage frame

$1260

Water towers are towering monsters in out midst. We don’t even see them anymore. What a delight, when one actually takes a look.

An original oil painting of a water tower and the words, “Gravity.”

18 x 36 inches

$ 2200

A painting of french pastries perched in a window waiting to be chosen. Each of the signs identifying the baked goods gives permission in french to eat one of these treats.

12 x 16 inches

framed in a vintage frame

$960

An original oil painting of every artist’s handy dandy clip light. In the lightbulb, you might catch a glipse of me painting. The wording on the light shade reads, “Turn me on. Turn me off. Turn me on.”

5 x 7 inches

framed in a vintage frame

$350

Who can resist a display case of tasty treats? Not this girl! An original oil painting of said treats on board with the words, “Don’t mind if I do.”

6 x 8 inches

framed in a vintage frame

$420

An original oil painting of frosted cookies with sprinkles- the kind that are way too sweet, but hard to resist. Look closely and you will see the words, “When in doubt, add sprinkles”

12 x 16 inches - framed

$960

An oil painting on board featuring a selction of colorful boxes filled with cakes. The wording, “Ooh Ooh. Pick Me.” can be seen on the top of the boxes.

Framed in a wooden frame.

10 x 8 inches

$550

Slushie anyone?

An original oil painting featuring slushie machines. This colorful painting featured the wording, “All Good Choices.”

cradled board framed in a floater frame

18 x 25 inches

$1720

An original painting on board featuring a restaurant with a colorful facade and a sign that says “Bear Hug OPEN” and a small bear.

Framed in a vintage frame

12 x 16 inches

$960

An original oil painting on board featuring a Paris boulangerie.

The signage spells out “Je ne sais pas ce que ce passe” or in english, “I do not know what is happening.”

Framed in a vintage frame

21 x 32.5 inches

$2730

An original oil painting featuring a tall San Franciscan building facade. The wording “On The Up and Up and…”is featured in neon soaring up the building under the gaze of a pigeon.

18 inches x 49.5 inches

$3560

Oil painting on board

Framed in a simple wooden frame

An original oil painting featuring a corner store in cream brick and green wood. The wording “C’mon. Come On In” is printed on the store signage and falling over the entrance of the store. On the sidewalk written in chalk are the words, “We Won’t Bite.”

$1720

Oil painting on Board

Framed in a vintage frame

Is it Gossip or Storytelling? Either way, whispers and laughter abound on porches and deck everywhere. We can all relate.

An original oil painting featuring a lovely cafe front featuring the wording, “Sit A Spell- Tell Me Everything.” The colors are cheerful mint green and sherbert pink.

18 x 24 inch cradeled hardboard

Framed in dark brown.

Inspired by Cafe Sant Honore in Paris, France

$1600

An original painting featuring a neon pig flying out of a window in a brick building. The neon spells out the words, “Watch Me.”

$350

Oil painting on Board

Framed in a vintage frame

An original oil painting featuring an altered neon street sign of a fish and martini glass. This piece features the wording, Three Day Limit.” A perfect piece for a guest room. A vintage map has been untilized within the painting.

Inspired by Simon’s in Chicago, IL

Framed in a Bold Dark Espresso Frame

$420

An original oil painting of a storefront facade. The wording of the signage has been altered from the original. Vintage maps have been incorporated into the painting.

Inspired by Alliance Bakery in Chicago, IL

6 x 8 inches

$420

An original oil painting of a brick building with a green awning. The original wording of the sign has been changed. Vintage maps have been incorporated into the painting.

This painting was inspired by Club Garibaldi in Milwaukee, WI

6 x 8 inches

$420

18 x 24 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps

This painting was inspired by a street in San Francisco, CA.

$1600

5 x 7 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This sign was inspired by Union League Cafe in New Haven CT

$420

framed

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by Old Sidelberg sign in New Haven, CT

5 x 7 inches

$420

framed

20 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Inspired by the Thunderbird Restaurant, Utah

Vintage Map: various atlas celestial maps

Framed in a simple wooden frame

$1,600

An Original Oil painting of a neon sign painted on a vintage map of Chicago, IL.

Inspired by

Wolfy’s in Chicago, IL

31 x 38 inches

$3,000

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

38 x 44 inches

Original Sign - Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer - Devine’s - Butler, WI

Vintage Map - Wisconsin

$3600

A Clown on Purpose

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Circus Circus, Las Vegas, NV

Vintage Map: California/Nevada

Framed in a simple wooden frame

$1,200

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Pro Comp Auto Body, Milwaukee, WI

Vintage Map: Milwaukee

$700

Framed in a simple wooden frame

An original oil painting on a collage of vintage maps inspired by a sign in Nashville, TN.

The wording has been changed from the original sign.

12 x 24”

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: The City Center Motel, Burns, Oregon

Vintage Map: Dodge County, WI

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by a street in Chinatown in San Francisco, CA.

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting featuring an imagined neon sign painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by a vintage neon sign located in Chinatown in San Francisco, CA.

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by The Holiday Inn

SOLD

5 x 7 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by Club Garibaldi in Milwaukee, WI

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by a vintage sign in Milwaukee, WI.

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and treet scene painted on a collage of vintage maps

This painting was inspired by a street in Milwaukee, WI

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An oil painting of non existent signage featuring neon on a street in San Franciso.. The image has been painted on a collection of collaged maps depicting an imagined or “non-location.”

SOLD

Inspired by Litle City Market, San Francisco, CA

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This painting was inspired by a vintage sign in Chicago, Il.

$400

18 X 24 inches

An oil painting of non existent signage featuring neon on a street in New York City.. The image has been painted on a collection of collaged maps depicting an imagined or “non-location.”

SOLD

Inspired by Superior Florists in New York City, NY

5 x 7 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This sign was inspired by a bar sign found in Boston, MA

SOLD

5 x 7 inches

An original oil painting of an imagined neon sign and street scene painted on a collage of vintage maps.

This sign was inspired by Peacock Liquors in Chicago, IL

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Ho Toy, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Midwest USA

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

14 x 18 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Inspired by: Drexel Theatre, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Ohio

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Hi-Road Drive-in Kenton, Ohio

Vintage Map: Midwest US

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

An imagined neon sign painted onto a collage of vintage maps affixed to hardboard. The maps have been collaged as to create a fictitious place.

This sign was inspired by:

Gross Hardware at the American Sign Museum on Cincinnati, Ohio

12 x 16

SOLD

Framed in a simple wooden frame

9 x 12 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Cocktails, Whitewater, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Smoky’s Club, Madison, WI

Vintage Map: Madison, WI

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

Oil painting on Vintage map

16 x 20

original sign- Bosch Tavern, Hales Corners, WI

vintage map - Milwaukee area

$1,100

24 x 18 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Stockman's Cafe Bar, Missoula, MT

Vintage Map: Montana

Framed in a simple wooden frame

$1000

14 x 18 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Planter’s Peanuts, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Midwest USA

Framed in a gold frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Badger Liquor- Madison, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Skyway Drive In, Door County, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

$600

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original Sign: Cave City Motel, Cave City, KY

Vintage Map: Minnesota

Framed in a simple wooden frame

NFS

5 x 7 inches

Oil painting on vintage map

Original sign: Beach Front Inn, Door County, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame.

SOLD

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Robber’s Roost Green River, UT

Vintage Map: UTAH

SOLD

Framed in a simple wooden frame

16 x 12 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original Sign: Miller Park Stadium, Milwaukee, WI

Vintage map: Milwaukee

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Arby’s, Warsaw, IN

Vintage Map: Indiana Toll Rd.

Framed in a rustic wooden frame

SOLD

8 x 10 inches

An original oil painting featuring an imagined sign on a storefront.

This painting was insired by a storefront in Chicago, IL.

SOLD

14 x 16 inches

Original oil painting of a neon sign painted onto a collage of vintage maps affixed to hardboard.

Inspired by: Ben’s Cafe, Utah

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

An oil painting of a neon sign and a roadside sign painted on a vintage map of Wisconsin affixed to hardboard.

Vintage map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame.

SOLD

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Motel- Las Vegas, NV

Vintage Map: California/Nevada

SOLD

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Jack’s Bar-B-Que- Nashville, Tenn

Vintage Map: Kentucky/Tennessee

SOLD

Framed in a simple wooden frame

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Hawk Bowl, Whitewater, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Dairy Maid, Maine

Vintage Map: Maine

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: King’s Inn Motel, Madison, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

9 x 12 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Skateland, Waukesha, WI

Vintage Map: Milwaukee

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

16 x 20 inches

Original Sign - Sleepy Hollow Motel, Green River, UT

Vintage Map - SW United States

SOLD

framed in a simple wooden frame

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Eat Jessica’s Restaurant, Whitewater, WI

Vintage Map: Midwest, Great Lakes region

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

24 x 18 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Bruno’s Lake Geneva, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: 40 Motel, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Toll Road Milwaukee -Philadelphia

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Ater’s Drive-In, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Midwest, Great Lakes region

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Rubino’s Pizzeria, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Maps: Various North American

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Capital Motel, Columbus, Ohio

Vintage Map: Great Lakes region

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Oliver’s Bakery, Kenosha, WI

Vintage Map: WI

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Hawk Bowl, Whitewater, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Firth’s Bait & Supply, Live Bait and Tackle, Gulf Shores, AL

Vintage Map: Alabama

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Ray's Wine and Spirits, Wauwatosa, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin maps

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Mayer Rexall Drugs, Kenosha, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

SOME DAY

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Club Tap, Wauwatosa, WI

Vintage Map: Northern Central United States

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: 1 Hour Martinizing Cleaning, Milwaukee, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

16 x 20 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Lunch, Kenosha, WI

Vintage Map: Milwaukee

SOLD

Framed in a simple wooden frame

Common Ground

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Grebe's Bakery, West Allis, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

Because You Are

24 x 18 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Bernie's Fine Meats, Port Washington, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

BELIEVE

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Hobnob, Racine WI

Vintage Map: Northeastern United States

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

GOOD KARMA

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Golden Krust Bakery, Kenosha, WI

Vintage Map: Midwestern United States

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Moon Motel, Howell, NJ

Vintage Map: United States of America

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Patio Drive In and Motel, Door County, WI

Vintage Map: Door County, WI

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

TAKE YOUR TIME

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Twin City Plaza, Grafton, WI

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Town Motel, Birmingham, Alabama

Vintage Map: Alabama

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

12 x 16

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Big Bill's Used Cars, Milwaukee, WI

Vintage Map: Milwaukee

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

5 x 7 inches

Oil painting on vintage map

Original sign: Kearney's Hammer Motel, Kearney Nebraska

Vintage Map: South Dakota

Framed in a simple wooden frame.

$220

12 x 16 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Jan's Drive In, Belton, MO

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Pink Motel, Cherokee, NC

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

24 x 36 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Grebe's Bakery, West Allis, WI

Vintage Map: Milwaukee

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

11 x 14 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Holiday Motel, Cave City, KY

Vintage Map: Milwaukee, WI

Framed in a simple wooden frame

NFS

18 x 24 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Braunger Steak Company, Sioux City, Iowa

Vintage Map: Chicago

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

11 x 14 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Firebird Motor Hotel, Cheyenne, WY

Vintage Map: Wisconsin

Framed in a simple wooden frame

SOLD

11 x 14 inches

Oil painting of a neon sign on a vintage map affixed to hardboard. The original wording of the sign has been changed.

Original sign: Sea Shell Motel, Wildwood, NJ

Vintage Map: Wyoming

Framed in a simple wooden frame

$375