Impressionist painting signed at lower right with conjoined initials "MP", unframed, 24" by 18", the subject three female black dancers, two wearing festive hats. There is considerable energy in the scene and the stylized figures are by a trained hand. The painting likely dates to the 1960's or possibly 1950's. There are some light abrasions at lower left, a flaked area near the extreme lower edge there and another small edge loss at top, and light overall soiling.

Unsigned oil on canvas, circa 1970's or 1980's, unframed, 28" by 22", the subject a ceremonial dance mask and head wear such as might be seen in use in the course of special events on one of the reservations in Arizona or New Mexico. During the late 1980's I was at Zia Pueblo in New Mexico, and was privileged to watch one of these ceremonies...

An attractive plein air oil on canvas painting of the desert in spring with blooming pink verbena on the dunes, 13" by 15", unframed, signed at lower left by listed California artist GRACE T. HOWELL (1876-1966). Howell was born in Denver and showed early art talent. Married in 1897, she moved to Southern California in 1927, living in La Mesa, near San Diego. She painted the California deserts and coast. This oil could use a light cleaning to bring it to optimum condition...

Found recently in Maine, this is an antique oil on board painting, 12" by 14 3/4" as framed, unsigned, the subject purple grapes and a ripe peach, the autumnal grape leaf suggesting the season of harvest, all on a marble ledge or table, with a distant view beyond. The gray academy board, style and framing suggest a date of execution of about 1880. The painting is very American in feeling, bordering on folk art as there's a naivete. The frame has wear and an obvious loss at lower left corner...

Oil on canvasboard painting of an extensive panoramic desert viewed from forested heights, signed at lower right and signed again with title "Over Mahave Desert Sept. 19, 1944" on the reverse. The work, 10 3/4" by 14", is unframed. Lydia Floret is a listed artist. Several pieces have sold at auction---another desert scene, a boy with a toy train, and a landscape of the New Hope Canal (eastern Pennsylvania's Bucks County)...

Oil on canvas, 18" by 24" and 1 1/2" wide white and gold painted frame, signed at lower left "EH Deffner '51" and inscribed on reverse "Sweetheart Lake/E.H. Deffner 10-'51/$150.00". This is a beautifully executed work by a talented artist, on whom I have not located a listing. From the subject matter I would suspect this work to be from the Pacific Northwest, like Oregon, Washington, or Northern California. There is a decidedly modernistic handling to the leaves on the tree at right...

Oil on masonite painting of a small adobe structure in a landscape, 11" by 14" and narrow frame, signed in green at lower left corner "Clapp". The work is impressionistic, and the subject suggestive of New Mexico. I checked with an authority on the works of Canadian/California artist William Henry Clapp (1879-1954) to see if he thought this might be by that artist, which would enhance its value significantly...

Oil on canvas painting of a white bench in a park or garden, the sun dappled vegetation depicted in colorful palette of purple, yellow, and green, signed at lower right by Southern California contemporary artist PATRICIA SHILLING-STEWART. The work measures 16" by 20" (20" by 23 1/2" in shiny white laminate frame)...

This is an original painting in gouache on paper, 23 3/4" by 23 3/4" square, in a narrow metal frame, apparently by an unlisted artist named Gertmenian. This is an Armenian name, and the painting was found in Los Angeles, where there is a large Armenian population. If you're seeking an eye-dazzler of a painting that contains strong primary colors, consider this decorative art...

Oil on canvas, 24" by 36" (28 1/2" by 42" as framed), unsigned, showing a Victorian/Gothic type castle ruin by a river, by moonlight. ***UNFORTUNATELY THE PAINTING HAS BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED IN SHIPPING (vertical rip clear through---started with a pre-existing three inch tear which weakened the canvas and made it vulnerable to further damage), so, will need major restoration. Call or email me for more details...

(**One of two works by the artist in my shop**). Unlike most commonly seen works by this artist, which are actually serigraph prints, this is an original oil on canvas painting, measuring 34" by 25 1/2" (39" by 31" framed). The scene is of the Golden Gate with the famous bridge half hidden by the fog, as spinnakers of yachts billow in a brisk breeze. The work is signed at lower right "Dietrich" (HERMANN DIETRICH 1916-2003)...

A PAIR of unframed oil on canvas works, one a scene of coastal cliffs and waves, 12" by 12", the other featuring a small lake or pond, 11" by 14" (both unframed). They are each signed by the artist, one M. Mahmoudi. I have not located information on the obviously talented artist, who is likely Californian; found in Los Angeles. Condition is excellent. What appear as white speckles in some images are reflections off the varnish and canvas weave.

A contemporary impressionist landscape of the hills of Texas in the spring when the famous bluebonnet bloom, signed at lower left by artist "Julienne". This is a work of a talented artist, the signature of whom might well be a take-off on the famous and important Texas bluebonnet artist Julian Onderdonk (1882-1922); conversely, the artist may just happen to be named "Julienne". The undulating landscape is quite green, and the bluebonnet in the foreground carpet the ground, so the season is lik...

Oil on canvas painting of grouse in the snow among pines, 16" by 20", signed at lower right "Berta C. Richards 50", and titled in ink on the reverse "Spring Around the Corner/in Colo Foot Hills/Berta C. Richards/1950". I do not see a listing for the artist but this vintage oil is competently executed by a talented hand. The condition is excellent, since this has been protected actually behind glass, in the veneer-type frame often seen on Currier and Ives prints. I think you might well want to...

Oil on canvas, 12" by 15 3/4", unframed and unsigned, the subject a pensive figure, likely a male, seated on a breezy patio with French doors, curtains and a Paris-style small cafe table and chairs, a tea or coffee service on the table. The anonymous artist created a very appealing, contemporary little work, with impressive impressionist technique. The painting is in excellent condition with just a bit of stretcher bar show-through at top. A silvery frame would complement the painting; it wou...

Oil on canvas painting, unsigned, contemporary, unframed, 24" by 36", executed in retro 1960's and 1970's colors: olive, powder blue, orange, white. If your interior is modern and skewing towards the "Pan Am" days, then this will surely please. It has a few light scuffs and soiling that might be removable with light soapy water--see photos.

Vintage still life of fruit executed in a Cubist style, oil on canvasboard, 16" by 20", (19 1/2" by 23" in black strip frame with liner), signed at upper left with a monogram that looks like "MR". The work is nicely worked by a skilled hand and condition is excellent. Frame shows its age. The piece was framed likely in the 1960's.

A vintage California oil on canvas painting of high mountains and the desert at sunset, probably painted circa 1935 through the early 1940's, 20" by 24" (23" by 27" in likely the original frame), signed at lower right by Los Angeles area artist ESSIE KAILEY (1897-1986). Kailey is not apparently a known artist, and was likely a talented amateur. Only due to the wonders of the internet have I been able to determine her birth and death dates and place of burial in Glendale, California at Forest L...