By the Irish-born artist who came to America as a youngster, WILLIAM J. HENNESSY (1839-1917), this is a charming, intimate little oil on canvas, 6 1/4" by 4 3/4" (11" by 9 1/2" in the 19th century frame), depicting an old man reading by candlelight in an interior, a red cloth in his right hand, the left hand splayed towards a comforting glowing fire in the hearth. Apparently he is alone on a quiet winter's evening, reading the way people had to read before electricity's arrival on the scene...

Oil on canvas, " by " (" by " framed), the subject a peaceful glen deep in a forest, painted in a luminous style reminiscent of the American Hudson River School, likely Fairy Glen in North Wales, signed at lower right by the noted well listed English artist WILLIAM MELLOR (1851-1931). Mellor was a highly prolific (I see over 1,200 auction records) artist, born in Barnsley, England. He traveled widely, painting often in Wales and Yorkshire...

A still life painting by the listed Texas artist and teacher, Pattie Richardson East (1894-1994). East studied with Jose Arpa, Birger Sandzen, Harry Anthony De Young, and Joseph Fleck and exhibited extensively. The painting measures about 20" by 24", frame about 28" by 32". Fine example of her work.

A pair of 8" by 10" oil on canvas paintings, unframed, one signed "Anton", the other "Chapman". One is dominated by lime green colors, with white birches, the other an autumnal scene of barn next to a creek at sunset. The former has "Shuk Ha Carmel, Tel Aviv" written on stretcher, along with "Birthright Trip December-January 2014-2015", the latter "Mountain House 2016/Franklin, NC". The autumnal scene has some paint losses around the edges from frame abrasion...

A beautiful, accomplished watercolor landscape painting of a gully with running water, 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" (19" by 22 1/2" in early 20th century gold frame), signed at lower left by the noted California art pioneer WILLIAM LEES JUDSON (1842-1928). The work is in unusually fresh condition, the colors true and not faded. I note a small, obviously very old water drop at extreme upper right, where the tree line meets the right edge...

An American contemporary theorem still life painting in the traditional 19th century familiar style, signed by artist Esther M. Attridge and dated on reverse framing paper 1973. The work measures 10 1/2" by 13 1/2" and about 12 1/2" by 15 1/2" in the gold framing. Some contemporary artists have made names for themselves by copying the old American folk art theorem style. Similar works by one latter-day artist named David Ellinger are highly sought after and are auctioned...

Oil on Masonite painting of coastal rocks and waves, framed in an interesting and appealing vintage wood frame, signed at lower right by artist J. Wessely. I do not see a listing for the artist, who created an attractive and dynamic composition. The painting measures 18" by 24" (22 3/4" by 28 3/4" framed). It could date to about the early 1950's, judging from frame and board. The frame has a rugged, "Cabin Art" feeling with bold outdoorsy carving...

Oil on canvas painting of what appear to be roses or possibly peonies in a vase on a tabletop, signed with initials at extreme lower right, and measuring 15" by 12 1/2" (19 1/2" by 17" framed). At first glance this appears to be a fine old vintage work of the 19th century or even earlier, but closer inspection reveals that this is actually a late 20th century work painted in that earlier style, including the detailed drops of water on the leaves...

Circa 1950's oil on canvas of a mountain with cross on top, and what could be a small body of water in the foreground, painted in an impressionist hand. The scene could possibly be Mount Cristo Rey, a landmark with Christ cross on the summit, at the extreme southeast corner of New Mexico, overlooking the El Paso, Texas area. The work measures 16" by 18" and 21 1/2" by 24" framed. Sadly this became badly damaged at some point, with catastrophic tears through the composition...

Oil on wood panel landscape in the Netherlands, 13" by 10" (22" by 19" in old, likely original frame), signed at lower left corner by the listed American artist and illustrator EDWIN H. KIEFER (1860-1931). This antique painting features a classic windmill, and a woman classically dressed, carrying a basket, in the left foreground. The late 19th century work is very dirty; a cleaning would work wonders. There is a long vertical crack in the panel at upper left as shown...

A fine color gouache landscape drawing in the Old Master 17th century style, the imagery including feathery trees, old classical buildings, a roaring river, mountains, and two tiny figures at center. There is no signature though on the old backing in an old hand someone wrote "Claude" (an acknowledged and widely recognized reference to Claude Le Gellee Lorrain (c. 1600-1682), a highly important French classic master of such scenery)...

Brooks Pettus (1918-2003) was a noted western American artist who passed away in Kennewick, Washington, leaving behind a large body of work in watercolor and oil that only recently appeared on the market. Pettus earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico, and spent time in Albuquerque and Taos in the early 1940's. New Mexico's artistically inspiring landscape stimulated Pettus' aesthetic sense as it has for countless others. Even though he became a professional engineer, mo...

Something of a mystery piece that has resided for some time in my inventory, a pastel on paper, 7 1/4" by 18 1/2" (13" by 22" in a simple protective frame), with old penciled title on reverse of thin card "Monomy Beach", and with modern inscription in red ballpoint: "I OWNED THIS WATERCOLOR BEFORE DAMAGED - IT WAS SIGNED LOWER RT. A. T. BRICHER (signed) Bob Venger 28 Feb '82". Nearby, written in blue ballpoint, is "BRICHER". The work, by repute, came from the estate of framed American actress...

An interesting and skilfully painted work, depicting a potted cactus on a wood strip floor, evidently in some kind of attic room open to the outside via a door, the result being an image with interesting detail, light, and mystery. Oil on canvas, unframed, the piece measures 28" by 22", and it is unsigned but likely painted circa the last twenty years. Note the detail of the flaking, corroding hardware, painted in an amazingly convincing manner demonstrating the artist's skill and powers of ob...

Gouache on paper painting of a lush tropical scene with a few figures and thatched huts under mysterious palm trees, signed at lower right "KOPP" and the word "Rio" after it. This work was likely created in the 1960's or early 1970's at latest, in Brazil. There is no glass nor mat; over time, at top center left in the tree line, and in the sky, the work acquired small paint loss areas, which are overwhelmed b the busyness of the scenery---and they are easily touched up. Measurements 12 1/2" b...

Offered as a pair, pastel drawings of fruit (an apple, and an orange), each signed by contemporary Alabama studio artist JOHN KELLEY. The drawings are each 4" by 4", and 11" by 9" as framed in light wood. Kelley was born in St. Louis but moved to a rural area near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he works diligently, producing paintings and drawings of fruit, four seasons landscape, and portraits. Technically very adept, Kelley has kept a low profile. A fun and whimsical website including blog sho...

Oil on paper painting, 5 1/2" by 3 3/4" (12 1/2" by 9 3/4" framed), signed at lower right by the noted Alaska artist JEANNE LAURENCE. Jeanne Laurence (1887-1980) was the wife of the famous Alaskan artist Sydney Laurence, and the author of the book "My Life with Sydney Laurence". Jeanne was a talented artist in her own right, her reputation overshadowed by her husband's wide renown in Alaska and beyond. Often she painted, in gouache, Alaskan wildflowers, but landscapes in oil are known, and th...

Circa 1880's painting in oil on a 14" diameter papier mache style plate, unsigned, featuring a winter scene at dusk. This charming antique work by an anonymous artist has nice detail and light. The artist was not professional but certainly had some training and a good eye for color and composition. The work has acquired some small losses, showing as white spots in the imagery, and along the rim. See old original label on reverse with 1880 patent date. Found in coastal New Jersey.