Oil on canvas, 13" by 16" (17" by 20" as framed), the subject a glass compote filled with purple plums, the base surrounded by clusters of white and red currants, signed at lower left with a signature that appears to be "Bielard", "Bichard", or "Beclard" or possibly "Bulard". I don't see a listing for any such name but the artist was talented. I'd guess the age as circa 1920 to 1930's or so, judging from the technique, materials etc...

Oil on canvas, 16" by 20", unframed, the subject a cut watermelon, peaches, grapes, a pear and strawberries, signed at lower right "Mabel Lemos" and dated there 1948. This appears to me to be a work by the noted long-time citizen of Santa Cruz, MABEL LEMOS, the wife of painter William Lemos and mother of artist Sydney Lemos...

This is a rather large oil on canvas work, 30" by 39" (43" by 34" as framed), signed at lower right "DeShazo", the subject a landscape with houses, church, and lonely leaning telephone pole. The work is not titled and the artist is not apparently listed...

Measuring 16 1/4" by 21 1/4" (23 1/2" by 28 1/2" in its attractive and clean modern gold frame with liner), this is a beautiful impressionistic painting in oil by the noted orientalist French painter LOUIS MICHEL BERNARD (1885-1962). The subject could be a sunwashed port in the mountainous south of France, or, possibly, in Algeria or elsewhere in coastal North Africa, where Bernard spent much time. The artist was a student of Cauvy at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Algiers...

Watercolor on paper, 8 1/2" by 17 1/2" inside the mat (13 1/2" by 22 1/2" in its very nice circa 1920 vintage frame), signed at lower right and inscribed there "Munich" by the well listed American artist CHARLES PAUL GRUPPE (1860-1940). The subject is a creek or small lake or pond at sunset. Born in Ontario, Canada, Gruppe was in Europe by age 20, where he explored France, Germany and Holland. I imagine that this work would date to that early 1880's period when he would have been in Germany...

Oil on wood panel still life painting of wilting yellow roses in a bluish-green vase on a brown vaguely defined table top, signed at lower right by artist M. Verberckmoes and dated there 1902. There does not appear to be a listing for this particular artist but the name is Belgian in origin. The work, 12" by 16 1/2" (19" by 24" in frame) could use a light cleaning, as there is surface dirt throughout, and there are some surface abrasions that show as white areas in the photos...

Watercolor on paper, 10 1/8" by 13 1/4" (15" by 18 1/4" as framed), signed at lower left with the distinctive signature of California Scene artist JAKE LEE. This is an image of a white fountain framed by a balustrade and mature trees. Jake Lee's works are increasingly sought after by collectors in the wake of his relatively recent passing. This is a clean example in excellent condition...

Oil on canvas luminous landscape of a peaceful Highlands lake ("loch") in late afternoon, 20" by 30" (27" by 37" as framed), signed at lower right by prolific Scottish and English artist FRANK E. JAMIESON (1834-1899). Jamieson painted a lot of paintings, and they are widely dispersed, and though not all are masterpieces, they are very satisfying and easy to live with, and a lot less expensive than those of masters like Alfred DeBreanski...

Oil on canvas painting, the subject a ranchette of the Southwest, likely Arizona or New Mexico, 16" by 20" (24" by 28" framed), signed at lower right corner in the paint by the noted, well-listed American impressionist plein air painter (and National Academician) PAUL STRISIK (1918-1998). The artist was born in Brooklyn and received art training at the Art Students League with Frank Vincent DuMond in the late 1940's...

Pastel on paper, unframed, 14 1/2" by 12 1/4", signed at lower right with the initials "DP". This is a drawing of the distinctive 10,000+ ft. mountain of the Cascades Range in Washington state, Mt. Baker. The artist was obviously skilled in the use of pastel, but I am not able to say who the artist might have been. I thought it could possibly be Dewitt Parshall, California artist, but don't know if he worked in the Northwest...

Oil on canvas, unframed, 30" by 40", the subject large boulders and rocks surrounding a small pool of water, executed in a photo-realist style in muted colors, signed at lower left with the artist's name, copyright symbol, and date 1985, and titled "Slow Water" and signed again on the reverse. This is a relatively early work by the noted Twentynine Palms, California contemporary artist and muralist CHUCK CAPLINGER...

Oil on canvas laid on board, 7" by 11" and 1 1/2" wide beautiful original pie crust frame in good condition, unsigned, but without a doubt the distinctive work of noted and prolific Northern California painter RICHARD DETREVILLE (one of several works by the artist in my shop). Detreville was born in South Carolina in 1864, and by the early years of the new century, he was in Stockton publishing a magazine...

Watercolor on paper, measuring approximately 12" by 16 1/2" (19" by 23" as framed), the subject El Capitan peak, also called Agathla by the Navajo people, a sharp, distinct isolated mountain south of Monument Valley, Arizona, over 1500 feet (457 meters) high. The drawing is titled "El Capitan" at lower left and signed with what appears to be "Turla" at lower right; I don't see a listing for that artist name. Nevertheless the work is nicely done and should appeal to the collector of art of the ...

Hudson River School style watercolor on paper, 13 1/2" by 19" inside the mat, 24" by 30" as framed, signed at lower right "Byron Albee". This is a subtle, delicate, beautifully executed watercolor of trees and a line of stones next to a pond. Because it IS so subtle, it does not photograph impressively; but in person it is appealing. The work has survived the years in excellent condition with only a bit of well balanced overall browning of the paper. The painting is not dated and I do not se...

**PAIR** of watercolors on paper of African American musicians in the famous New Orleans French Quarter jazz spot known as Preservation Hall. Each painting is on a sheet of heavy watercolor paper measuring 15" by 11" (21 1/2" by 16 1/2" as framed), both signed but I am unable to decipher the signature----looks something like "Tortelli" but that is a wild guess. These are possibly paintings for the tourist trade but there is a monumentality to the work that goes beyond tourist art. I would wel...

This is a decorative, peaceful scene of late autumn by a pond or small lake, signed at lower left "Sydney Cooper". Even though the spelling differs ("Sidney"), this could be by or after the well-known English 19th century artist THOMAS SIDNEY COOPER (1803-1902), who was known for his landscapes with farm animals. The painting is unframed and measures 22" by 15 1/2". Condition is good, with even light overall oxidation (browning) of the fairly heavy paper, and some very light water stains at t...

Oil on canvas, somewhat spontaneous and sketchy image of a formally dressed couple at a social event, circa "fin de siecle", 14" by 10 3/4" (20" by 17" as framed), signed at lower right with the distinctive signature of French early to mid century artist YVES DIEY (1892-1984). Diey is well known in France particularly, where his pastels and oil paintings of nude, or semi-clothed attractive women, sometimes in exotic settings, make frequent appearances at public auction. Diey was part of the mo...

Oil on canvas painting of an extensive mountain landscape, 16" by 20", unsigned, unframed. This is a decorative work that needs a cleaning and a frame. Note how the extreme upper right edge, which had evidently been hidden under a frame, shows the true colors of the work. A regular size, framing this should not be expensive, and it's possible that a careful cleaning to remove the soiling might not have to be done by a professional.