Oil on canvas laid on board 9 3/4" by 8", unframed, the subject a red-haired child, signed at lower right by the noted children's art illustrator at mid century, MAUD TOUSEY FANGEL (1881-1968). The work is slightly reminiscent of the impressionism of Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Fangel was a much-in-demand illustrator for east coast-based magazines such as Ladies Home Journal. She came to be something of a celebrity when it came to depicting children awake and asleep...

An impressionist oil on canvas painting of an old late 19th century American church in a western city, as snowcapped mountains loom at right, signed at lower right corner "Crossen '75". This might be by a listed artist, Michigan-born Preston McCrossen (1894-1981), who worked in New Mexico. amd California. I have googled brick churches in western cities to try to identify the subject...

An unframed oil on canvas painting depicting a fence and trees on a hillock with a mountain background by Eva Brook Donly (Canada 1867-1941). Born in Simcoe, Ontario, she studied under Frederick M. Bell-Smith at Alma College and the School for Artisans New York under John Ward Stimson. She also studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City under Jose M. Pino...

Oil on canvas painting of famous Morro Rock, the 500 foot high landmark and sentinel that for time immemorial has guarded the harbor at Morro Bay on the coast of central California. The work is titled on the stretcher "August Sunset by Marjorie Sharpe". Beautifully painted, the artist has captured the wispy clouds that cling to the top of the rock and the reflections of the fishing boats...

Oil on canvas good-sized painting, 21" by 29", (29" by 36 1/2" in gold frame), the subject a small lake or pond with adjacent floral bloom, almost as in a botanical garden or groomed park, that bloom reflected beautifully in the water, signed at lower left by the late California artist KASANDRA F. MARTELL (1925-2019). Martell was born near Mexico City and by the late 1950's was very entrepreneurial for a woman of her day with four children...

A whimsical, colorful painting of a cat, signed at lower right with initials "C.L" and dated there 1980. The work is on canvas, 21" by 25 1/4" framed. The unknown artist was certainly talented. Further research could possibly determine his/her identity. The painting is in very good vintage condition. There is a bit of light soiling here and there but no punctures or other issues.

Oil on canvas painting of a stand of trees by a small pond or lake in early autumn, 20" by 24" (25" by 29" as framed), signed at lower left by the listed California artist RICHARD VERNON JOHNSON (1905-2001, death date sometimes given as 2007). Johnson was born in Montana and moved with his family to Long Beach, California by 1920. He studied at Chouinard Art Institute and the University of Montana. Johnson taught at various institutions in Orange County...

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...

An interesting contemporary painting of a middle-aged man sitting on a stool in a homey, cozy interior, a fireplace, paned window and painting set off by orange pastel colored walls. The unsigned work, by a trained hand, reminds of some of the interior paintings with figures by David Hockney. The oil on canvas, unframed, measures 30" by 24". It is in excellent condition. A silvery, or simple blond wood strip frame might be complementary.

Oil on board painting of waves at a rocky coastline, unframed, 15 3/4" by 20", likely by a listed artist but unsigned. The work was executed sometime around 1950 I would surmise. Condition is good and this should fit nicely into an easy-to-find standard size 16" by 20" frame.

Oil on canvasboard panel painting, 16" by 20" (21 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed) featuring the iconic towering monoliths of Monument Valley, Arizona, with mounted cowboys and Conestoga wagon adding a human touch to the scene, signed at lower right by Southern California artist Billie van Bogart. The work probably dates to the 1960's or early 1970's at latest. Would add a very decorative touch to your Southwest interior...

A portrait of Hollywood actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981), painted by an unknown artist, showing the artist as she would have appeared in the 1970's. The image shows a sultry Wood in her prime, staring at the viewer with her famous brown eyes...

Oil on board painting of old houses in an American town, 12" by 16" (15" by 19" framed), the auto in the scene suggesting a circa 1930 date, unsigned, housed in an old 19th century Victorian style frame with patterned gold inner fillet. The work suggests to me the famous watercolor art of American artist Charles Burchfield, or at least other painters of the "American Scene" and WPA period. The work has been subjected to water which has left a pattern of water drops over the surface...

Acrylic on canvas painting in black, red and blue on white background, 28" by 39 1/2" as framed, signed in the lower left corner "J. Brooks". I am offering this as a bold, modern decorative painting, and NOT as a genuine work of the important American artist James D. Brooks (1906-1992). Condition is excellent and save for some wear on the cream-colored frame, this is ready for display.

A circa 1920 painting of a waterfall emerging from a steep cliff above a gorge, signed at lower right by artist S. P. Christesen. I do not see a listing for an artist by this name, or Christensen, but clearly he/she was talented. The scene would appear to be western American, though I recently viewed photos of the noted Montmorency Falls in Quebec, Canada, and there is a strong resemblance to this scene. A hint to the origin may be on the reverse, where "Fab-Rik-O-Na" is printed on the burlap...

Oil on canvas painting of a desert landscape, 18" by 24" (27" by 34" framed), signed at lower right by the listed California painter AILEEN POWERS STEPHENS (1889-1982). The artist also dedicated it to her daughter Helen, in July 1978, on the occasion of the latter's birthday, in an inscription on the reverse. Stephens was born in Kansas into an artistic family. She was related to the important 19th century American sculptor Hiram Powers. Stephens studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and w...

An oil on canvas painting, 18" by 14", unframed, the scene a sunny urban slice of life, a bridge arching over a canal with light standards and buildings and trees as the sunlight sparkles on the water. The place could be Venice, California, or perhaps Newport Beach. The painting is signed in light purple at lower left with conjoined initials "MZ", which bring to mind the noted California artist Milford Zornes (1908-2008). However, I showed the painting to a close friend of Zornes and an autho...

An oil on canvas painting of garden flowers in a glass vase in an interior near a window, not signed on the front but on reverse stretcher is written in pencil "Rena Patterson" and a phone number with Southern California area code. This is a work of contemporary artist RENA PATTERSON, presently of Malibu, CA but previously a resident of many states from coast to coast. The artist has her own website, showing a number of her works, which include seascape, landscape, still life, and genre subjec...