A finely executed watercolor landscape of a forested high rocky cliff overlooking a distant valley, signed at lower left "F Green" and dated there 1873. The work measures 16" by 12 3/4" and 23 1/2" by 20" as nicely framed, with hand drawn mat lines. I am inclined to think the artist was American but suppose he/she could have been English. There are two most-likely possibilities as to artist identity---Frank Russell Green (1856-1940) and a little-known "Francis Green"...

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...

**FIFTEEN** original gouache drawings on commercial art board, varying sizes, the largest 15" by 20", the smallest 10" by 13 3/4", mostly unsigned but several stamped on reverse with name and address in Van Nuys, California of noted Disney studios illustrator in the 1950's and 1960's, FRANS VAN LAMSWEERDE (1924-1969). These works all feature Holy Land subject matter; acquired at the same time, they evidently were together for many years since the artist's death at a young age...

An oil on canvas painting of white flowers in a glass vase on a table top, two small porcelain vessels nearby, the work signed at lower right by artist Minerva Smithers. On the stretcher in pencil is written "Matilija Poppy" and then the artist again wrote her name in longhand. A google search shows a Minerva Smithers born in 1877 in Wisconsin, the woman's residence given in the 1940 census as Hawthorne, in Southern California (very near where this was found)...

A view of Ely Cathedral in eastern England, signed at lower right by listed contemporary British artist KENNETH W. BURTON (1946-), the work painted skillfully in gouache and measuring 9" by 13" (18 1/2" by 22 3/4" in whitish wood frame). Condition of painting and frame excellent. Burton was born in Lincolnshire and has painted widely throughout the United Kingdom, seeking out a wide range of landscape subject matter. See his website for more information on the talented artist.

A painting on canvas, 10" by 14" (11" by 15" in simple modern frame), featuring a New England homestead, likely Connecticut, complete with split rail fence and stone wall, signed at lower right and dated there 1892 by Wisconsin-born artist GEORGE SELDEN ROORBACH (1860-1930). The artist was in the Northeast in the 1890's, living with his young bride in the vicinity of Mystic, Connecticut, and also instructing in art in New York City. He exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1891...

Found in eastern Maine, a fine old still life pastel, the image including an orange, dark blue grapes, a walnut in the shell, and a metal vessel. At lower right are the words "GOOD SHEPHERD BAY VIEW" (???), but no signature. Circa 1900 date of execution judging from frame, which is dark stained walnut with gilt inner fillet. Size 9 1/4" by 12 3/4" (13" by 16 1/2" framed). Allow for a few reflections and some dust on the glass.

An oil on canvas laid on Masonite painting of a young brunette woman, the view from the breasts up, against a neutral dark background, signed in red illegibly at top left corner. The piece measures 17 1/2" by 12 3/4" (24 1/2" by 19 1/2" framed). More than likely the artist is French, judging from the overall style, signature, and the stenciled numbers "1208" on the frame. The artist is probably listed, but my efforts to decipher this signature have been unsuccessful...

For the collector of Oregon or Northwest art, a small (6 1/2" by 8 1/2" in inexpensive wood frame), unsigned contemporary watercolor of a small river running past rugged, arid cliffs, titled on reverse "John Day River @ Black Rock". The John Day River is a tributary of the Columbia River, in north central Oregon. At 243 miles in length it is the third longest free-flowing river in the United States. It is known for its salmon and steelhead fishing...

Watercolor on paper of a small white painted house in a sparse landscape, the sheet measuring 15" by 22", signed at lower right with "N.W.S." (National Watercolor Society) by the listed California watercolor artist ROBERT UECKER (1929-2005). Uecker was born in Los Angeles and won a five year scholarship to the Chouinard Art Institute, where he was instructed by the likes of Rex Brandt, Ed Reep, and Pruett Carter...

Oil on canvas painting, 25" by 34 1/2", unframed, unsigned, after the French impressionist masters Renoir and Monet, who often painted on the Mediterranean in the late 19th century. This is a contemporary work by an anonymous artist. Colors are beautifully handled, as is the golden light...

An old and antique American painting of a seated young man playing a flute in a vaguely defined interior, 24" by 20" (32 1/2" by 28" in mid 20th century frame), unsigned. The talented artist remains anonymous but was obviously talented and probably listed. Note the mantel clock at left and elegant European-style table and chair. Over the years the painting has darkened dramatically, taking on a yellow-brown cast due to decades of grime and smoke...

A very interesting and unusual painting, appearing to be gouache on a prepared gessoed panel (and the piece is accordingly quite heavy for its size), featuring Native American indian dancers and onlookers in the Southwest, likely Navajos of New Mexico or northeastern Arizona. The 22 1/2" by 27" unframed work is signed at lower right "Arline Wyrick". A quick google search did not reveal any obvious links to a known artist, but she was obviously quite skilled, and this bears further research...

This is a very old antique traditional still life of fruits, garlic, and a sliced melon, oil on old coarse weave canvas, laid on Masonite, 22" by 34 1/2" (25 1/2" by 38" in attractive old framing), apparently unsigned. The painting is of the very old traditional style of old master works of its kind...

Oil on canvas painting of a man's smoking pipe and other objects on a tabletop, 13" by 15", 16 1/2" by 18 1/2" in mid 20th century gold frame, signed at upper right by artist Cora (Cara?) L. Sloper and dated there 1899. This is a competently painted work, but I am unable to locate an artist by this name despite an intensive internet search. The name appears to be common in the upper Midwest, but this painting was purchased in Massachusetts, near Cape Cod. Condition is very good for a work ove...

A PAIR of oil on canvasboard paintings, each 20" by 24", signed at lower right by the same artist, "McKee", the subjects a rural farm in autumn, the other an eerily empty Hopperesque old house. These were found in Southern California and the scenes may well be Californian. There are a number of artists by the name McKee so it is difficult to determine who may have created these. Both are in need of varnish, and the house painting has a small spot of missing paint in the sky at left, as well...

A watercolor painting of flowers (perhaps, zinnias) in a vase on a tabletop, painted in an impressionist manner, and signed at lower right by artist "Cara dee" or similar. The work measures 18 3/4" by 14 3/4" as framed. All photos taken through detail-dulling non-glare glass. Condition is excellent.

A small watercolor on paper within an oval, featuring a short vase filled with wildflowers, the piece measuring 8" by 7" as framed; at the lower portion in pencil is an inscription in German: "Die Heimat Blumen Grussen Dich", and "Plauen Mai 1920". This translates roughly as "the flowers of home/homeland greet you". "Heimat" evidently is a German word with no clear translation into English. Plauen is a town in what was the old East Germany, near the border with the Czech Republic, southwest...