An interesting Southwestern painting of a sunny courtyard in a Spanish-style building (church or mission) of the American Southwest---likely California, or Mexico---glimpsed through a grand old doorway, signed at lower right by artist Laurence McLaughlin. The 18" by 24" painting (26" by 31 1/2" framed) is not old (maybe 1970's or 1980's) but the traditional subject and technique could make it pass for an older work. Surprisingly I have not been able to locate a listed artist by this name...

Richly impressionistic painting on canvas of a small pond surrounded by autumn foliage, 9" by 12" (16" by 19" framed), signed at lower right by contemporary California-based artist RON McKEE (1931-) and dedicated on the stretcher and dated there 1987. McKee is a popular impressionist, his body of work including landscape, coastals, floral gardens and European Mediterranean ports. This work is fresh and clean and absolutely wall-ready in its gold framing...

An impressionist oil on canvasboard painting of coastal cliffs, rocks and waves, likely California, signed at lower left in red by listed American painter DAVID SPURLIN JR. (1923-2009). The 11" by 14" work (18 1/2" by 21 1/2" in distressed style wood frame) features strong wave and action, and the five shorebirds at lower right, and their reflections in the wet sand are all beautifully handled...

Large and complex abstract drawing, possibly in oil stick or oil pastel, 27 1/2" by 18 1/2" (37" by 24 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "Zohar" and dated there "12/89". This is a fairly common Israeli name and there are listed artists by this name but the style and signature do not seem to match up with them, so I am offering this as a great abstract that is sure to please from the decorative standpoint...

Impressionist oil on canvas painting of ships in a harbor, titled on stretcher "San Francisco Bay in 1840", signed at lower right "M. McDOWD" (MARGARET EPENETER McDOWD 1894-1990). The work, 24" by 30", unframed, is masterfully painted. with excellent handling of light and color, all somewhat intentionally hazy and muted...

Large acrylic on canvas contemporary painting, 56" by 48", unframed, titled on reverse "St. Sebastian", also dated 3/81 and signed there, by the well listed, widely-exhibited American artist, RUSS WARREN (1951-). The painting is striking, the figure shot full with arrows in a strange and surreal, magical landscape, mystery and symbolism and allegory surrounding the scene...

Oil on canvas painting of a tabby cat, 7" by 5" (12" by 10" framed), circa 1970 to 1980 judging from the framing, signed lower right "Jody". The artist was certainly talented; the likeness of the cat to reality is well above average. Condition is excellent. Needs to be nailed more tightly into frame.

Oil on panel painting, 25 1/2" by 23 1/2" framed, the subject rather difficult to describe, but bridging abstract and realism with some surreal thrown in for good measure, by difficult to categorize American contemporary artist JERRY MCLAUGHLIN (born circa 1925), now a resident of Santa Cruz, California. McLaughlin's meandering career was described in detail in a Metro Santa Cruz article of 1998, and a New York Times article of 2001...

A circa late twentieth century oil on board painting of steep desert mountains behind a lush golf course with palms, likely in the Coachella Valley of Southern California (Palm Springs and environs), 16" by 20", unframed and unsigned. The work is by a talented hand, though likely still an amateur hand. There are a few light surface abrasions and a small loss area in the sky as seen in the photos...

"San Carlos Borromeo" Oil on Canvas without frame 16" x 8", with frame 24" x 16" Eugene Schmidt was born in Gladbeck, Westphalia, Germany in 1919. He began his professional artistic training in 1934. He received personal instruction from Artists who has studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Schmidt also studied art history, stylistic arts, and perspective drawing during his formative years...

Oil on canvas still life painting, including a red teapot, plates, funnel, cup, and fruit, all on a striped table cloth with further drapery in the background, 20" by 24", unsigned on front and bearing the name "H. HOWARD" and date "OCT. 74" on the stretcher. There is an African-American artist by the name Humbert Howard but this work does not resemble the work I see out there on the net...

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...

A beautifully executed painting on canvas of New Mexico Native American pottery pieces, (perhaps from the Zia Pueblo?), signed at lower left by artist "Angelika". The work, 20" by 24" (24 1/2" by 28 1/2" framed) is painted in a realistic style, so that the pots seem to be three dimensional. This is a highly decorative piece and will complement your Southwest interior. The frame is not especially complementary; a more appropriate one will enhance the presentation.

Oil on canvas coastal scene of a sandy beach with small breaking waves, rugged coastal rock formations in the distance, signed at lower left by contemporary artist Brian Babinski, titled on the stretcher "Baker Beach, Trinidad, California", and dated there 1985...

An exceptional example of the work of Florida's well-listed impressionist artist, EMMETT FRITZ (1917-1995), the 16" by 20" work (20 3/4" by 24 3/4" framed) a view down St. George St. in the historic downtown area of St. Augustine on Florida's northeast coast. This example seems to be a particularly above average effort by the artist, and it is in exceptionally fresh condition, having just come from a Southern California estate. Fritz was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and served in the US Army...

Large impressionist painting of violet mountains, pond and green meadow with white fence, 24" by 30" (31" by 37" framed), signed at lower left by artist HENRIETTA S. RUDDER, further titled "Mountains" on reverse where there is a label of the 1989 Artists Guild of the Norton Gallery Fifth Annual Exhibition (probably West Palm Beach, Florida), providing the artist's name, and the original price of $500. The painting is created primarily with palette knife, the paint richly and generously applied....

An unusual painting that could be described as an allegory of all that is southwestern: oil on canvas, 24" by 20", 30" by 26" in interesting wood frame, signed at lower right "Martin", and with further ink notation on stretcher "Navajo 1981". The artist appears to be Jean Martin, 1924-2011. Martin was born in Massachusetts and educated there in art. In 1952 she moved west to Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband and over the decades became established there as an artist in oils and watercol...

"Last of Winter" landscape painting by Harold Kloongian, 1980, oil on canvas board, 16 inches x 20 inches. Signed lower right, and titled, dated and signed on verso. Excellent condition. In this painting, Kloongian captures a rural Vermont farm house and barn in a golden light at the end of a sunny day in late winter. Harold Kloongian is a Massachusetts painter. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and at the Art Institute of Boston, as well as with the notable artists...