Esther Anna Hunt (1875-1951) is known today in California art circles as a keen observer of the traditional culture as displayed in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her paintings and plaster bust models of young girls in traditional costume make regular appearances in auctions of California art. This work appears to have been created by one of Hunt's many early 20th century imitators. The watercolor is signed at lower right corner "A. Fowler" and is dated there April 1912...

Italian 20th century watercolor of old church or cathedral, 16" by 13" (27" by 23" framed), signed at lower left "Brunacci" or "Brunalli" or similar. There is no listed artist by these names, but the artist was talented in the medium and created a satisfying work. Condition is excellent. Age would be circa mid twentieth century----perhaps a tourist souvenir piece.

A vintage (mid century) watercolor painting of a very old stone church in Central America or Mexico, signed at lower left "Gil". The work is very nicely painted by an obviously talented watercolorist. Note the tiny figures in the composition, and the bright spots of color contrasting with the creamy stone of this circa sixteenth or seventeenth century church. Most likely this would be in Guatemala or one of the nearby countries, or in southern Mexico...

Watercolor on paper painting of the Nile RIver in Egypt and the pyramids of Giza, including date palms, the distinctive local dhows and a camel completing the scene, signed at lower left with the initial "W" by listed artist DAVID VASSILIOU. Vassiliou's biography is not extensive but he was evidently a prolific painter at mid century, most works featuring Egypt, Greece and the Mediterranean region. He seems to have always signed with this capital "W" for some reason...

American watercolor painting on heavy watercolor paper, of trees in a shaded landscape, circa mid 20th century. The unsigned work measures 15 1/2" by 22 1/2" (unframed). Condition is excellent; small pinholes in corners where the artist had this affixed while working on it. Could probably be sent rolled in a tube for savings on shipping.

A miniature or small gouache hillside landscape painting (3" by 4 1/4"), 7 3/4" by 9 3/4" in silvery stand-up frame, signed at lower left "R. Becker". The artist is Russ or Russell Becker, according to a Christmas 1995 hand-written holiday note on the inside of the blue card to which this is affixed. I do not see an obvious artist by this name, but he was clearly talented. The scene appears western, given the reddish rocky outcrop. Condition is excellent.

A nicely worked watercolor of a church dominating over its obviously European village, 15 1/2" by 18 3/4" (21 1/2" by 25" framed), signed at lower right with what appears as "W Kuns" or "Whuns" or similar. The watercolor is clean, with some browning at the very edges from long contact with the mat. Probably executed circa the 1960's, possibly, in the Baltic states (possibly, Latvian) or another part of eastern Europe.

Watercolor painting of a stately ruin consisting of columns and a lintel, the setting a panoramic knoll by the azure sea, an island in the distance, signed in red in Greek. The small work measures 4" by 7" (8 1/4" by 12 1/4" in thin strip frame, not professionally matted). The work probably dates to about the 1960's and may be a tourist piece to remind someone of their Mediterranean vacation. Condition is excellent...

Watercolor on paper painting, each 9 1/2" by 7 1/2" (17 1/2" by 14 1/2" in shiny black inexpensive frame), signed in pencil at lower right by the California artist and fashion illustrator ESTHER WYNN, who passed away in 1990 according to recent information acquired from relatives. So far there is no askart listing for this artist but I imagine that will change. She was a talented illustrator, often, of vintage fashion design, and created designs for cards as well...

A small very nicely painted contemporary work in watercolor and gouache, the subject water's edge with tidal rocks and sand. Measuring 10 1/2" by 12 3/4" framed and nicely matted, the work is signed at lower left corner by artist "Greenaway". The framing sticker on the reverse from San Luis Obispo suggests the possibility that the scene is somewhere on the central California coast.

Circular watercolor painting of grapes, tendrils and leaves on the vine, 26" diameter as framed in circular frame. The painting likely dates to the early part of the 20th century. I do not see a signature. Condition of the watercolor is excellent, though the frame has significant cracks at bottom as shown. Hang this near your wine storage cave.

Finely rendered watercolor painting of a scene of North Africa, likely Tunisia, Algeria or Morocco, signed at lower right in red by listed American artist WILFRID "Wally" BERG (1908-2002). A boy in the foreground in local clothing watches over a herd of grazing sheep, as sun-washed old buildings and mosque fill the background. The work measures 17" by 22" (25 1/2" by 29 1/4" framed). Berg was born in Michigan into a large family...

An impressionist watercolor painting titled on the backing "CHARLES RIVER", 18 1/2" by 29 1/4" inside the present mat, 30" by 42" in attractive grayish weathered-wood style frame, signed at lower right corner by artist JIM HUGHES. This is a likely circa 1960's or 1970's work, the subject the 80 mile long river in eastern Massachusetts that runs in a generally north and east direction from its source in Hopkinton southwest of Boston...

Watercolor landscape, likely of the world-famous view from the Nuuanu Pali on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, painted in a modernist wet-on-wet technique, signed at lower right "Richardson", and dated there '54. The artist's common name makes identification of the work's creator difficult, but the viewer can see the talent. The work measures 13 1/2" by 19 1/4" inside the mat, and 22 1/2" by 28" framed. It is taped at the edges to that matting...

Watercolor coastal scene with rocks and sea birds, tiny sails on the horizon, signed at lower left by artist Wang Zhi Bin (including artist seal) and dated there 10. 1991. A nicely executed work by an artist about which information seems to be lacking. Measures 16 1/4" by 23 1/4" inside the mat, and 23 1/2" by 30 1/2" in light-colored frame. The work is in excellent condition.

Nicely drawn watercolor and pencil work titled "The Entrance" on backing, signed at lower left by German-born contemporary artist and author "Renata Zerner", and dated 1972. The piece measures 17" by 11" and 20 1/4" by 17 1/4" in the period aluminum frame. The image is quite mysterious and dreamy, a male and a female torso standing on either side of a portal of sorts. The artist has left it to the viewer to decide exactly where "The Entrance" leads. Condition is excellent...

Large watercolor painting in impressionist manner, the subject an old boat, the "Virginia", stored in drydock by a coast. The work, 14" by 22 1/2" inside the innermost mat (25" by 34" framed) is signed at lower right with a signature that greatly resembles that of noted American illustrator artist JON WHITCOMB (1906-1988). Whitcomb is known for his commercial art for publication, featuring glamorous young women...

PAIR of watercolor still life paintings of floral subjects, 8 1/2" by 7" inside the mat (16" by 14" framed), circa mid 19th century, likely American (purchased in Maine). Note the exquisite detail and color. Hand drawn mats add to the vintage appeal. Later 20th century gold frames are in good condition. One mat has old browning/possible water damage at lower right, not affecting the art.