A contemporary watercolor painting "Mirror Lake/Yosemite National Park", signed at lower right by Southern California artist Marcia L. Litchfield. The 20" by 14" watercolor (30 1/2" by 25" framed) features a look into the famous valley in late spring, when snow patches remain on the mountainside. The work is nicely done. Oak frame has a small bit of wear, and the Plexiglas is rubbed/scratched so may have to be replaced...

A most interesting circa 1960's work featuring a group of older, mostly one story buildings in a town, those buildings apparently of stone, judging from the earthy colors. A dark blue sky elegantly sets off the earth tones, making for an interesting play of light and color. Brush strokes are vigorous and sure. The painting is oil on canvasboard, measuring 9" by 13" (12 3/4" by 16 1/2" framed), signed with initials that could be "CB" at lower right...

Oil on canvas landscape with a home and small out building, possibly but not at all necessarily a California scene, measuring 10" by 14" (12 1/4" by 16 1/4" as framed), signed at lower right (I think in ink) "....... E. Miller" and dated there '32. The actual first part of the signature is difficult to read, but on the stretcher in pencil is written "E. E. Miller"...

A PAIR of watercolor paintings of scenes of Los Angeles' "South Bay" cities, one featuring the Manhattan Beach Pier (6 3/4"by 9 1/2"), the other the Palos Verdes General Store (6 7/8" by 9 3/4"), one signed by and both bearing the label of talented local artist Sharon Towle. Both are in gold metal frames of identical size (13" by 16"). The artist worked for the commercial side of the art market in graphic design and illustration...

Detailed Indonesian painting in the classic style from the island of Bali, Indonesia, painted in tempera on cotton canvas laid on board, measuring 21 1/4" by 17". The painting is unusually well executed compared to many from this "school" of painting; the artist was of above average talent, though he or she did not sign the work. Note the expressions on the faces, the intensity of the dragon, the spotted mysterious forest creature monster at lower left. Condition is excellent...

Attributed to OLIVE MALSTROM CARL (American 1903 - 1988) A watercolor, double sided each scene is of a red farm house or Barn from different views. On one side the signature was covered over . Classic example of the artist style. Size 15 3/4" by 19 3/4"

Watercolor on paper, 10" by 14" (15" by 19" as framed), signed at lower left with the distinctive signature of California Scene artist JAKE LEE. This is an image of a vintage old house framed by mature trees, a few suggested figures in the foreground. 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...

Painting on canvas of urban skyline with foreground boats, painted in modern and stylish grays, black, white and red, signed at lower right "LF Mark" or similar. The piece, in strip typical late sixties or early seventies frame, measures 18 1/2" by 26". Condition is very good save for a small puncture at lower left that actually blends in with the design and is not all that easy to find. Frame at left and lower right is also ever so slightly askew...

A very pretty impressionist work that appears to show spindly eucalyptus-like trees in a hazy landscape, some small red tile roofs suggesting this could be California or possibly Mediterranean Europe. The piece is signed at lower right "J R HUPPI" or similar. It measures 9" by 12" (canvas laid on board) and 16" by 19" as framed. There is a Salt Lake City framers or gallery stamp on the frame ("Tivoli Gallery"). A light cleaning to remove some yellowed varnish would be beneficial...

Two paintings are offered here for the price of one! The first done in India ink on prepared cardboard, this finely limned profile shows a man facing left with his right hand tucked into his jacket. It is presented in a gilded, stamped sheet metal frame.

The condition is quite good with several unimportant white streaks, mainly in the jacket...

Oil on canvas painting of the arcaded breezeways at the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, 8" by 10", unframed, signed with initials at lower right and possibly again by the artist on the reverse. In addition there is an original old slip of paper giving the artist's biography...

19TH c. French Miniature Portrait, Well executed French miniature painting, depicting an 18th century lady in impressive attire wearing fashionable hat, the portrait is 2.5"H x 2"W housed in a 5.5"H x 4.5"w oval shape wooden frame. Condition report: very fine painting with water damage to the background.

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. The work is colorful and includes many classic iconic symbols of the Southwest, such as the thunderbird, the snake, the saguaro cactus, tipi, and possibl...

Cyrus Seymour works "China Doll" in bamboo frame dated 1991. Dimensions: 28"H x 20"W Age: 1991 Material: Bamboo, gauche

A typical example of watercolor work by the noted New Orleans artist NESTOR FRUGE (1916-2011), 10 1/2" by 8 1/4" (17 1/4" by 13 1/4" framed), featuring a a New Orleans street scene with ornate cast iron balcony at upper right. Fruge painted mostly watercolors and was a familiar and beloved part of the Jackson Square tourist scene in New Orleans for decades. He painted mainly French Quarter scenes but also on occasion works such as bayou swamp landscape. Fruge's art traveled home with innumerable...

An interesting pastel drawing of older high rise apartment buildings in a major city, perhaps New York, signed at lower right with initials "EM" or "EW" and dated there 1939. The work, 15" by 11" (21" by 16 1/4" in simple gold metal frame), deals very skillfully with what could potentially be quite sterile subject matter in the wrong hands. This could be seen as a commentary on the anonymity of high rise living in any city. If you live in a complex such as Peter Stuyvesant Village in New York...

Impressionist watercolor on textured paper painting of a landscape with houses and trees, signed in ballpoint pen in Hebrew script at lower left and dated there 1972 by listed Israeli artist ZIPORA KOVELMAN (1936-). The work is nicely crafted by an obviously talented hand. There is not a lot of biographical information on her but works in oil and watercolor appear with some frequency at auction in Israel. This measures 7 1/2" by 11 1/2" inside the mat and 14 3/4" by 18 1/2" in a pleasing brig...

Watercolor painting of a stand of leafless trees in late autumn, a small stream flowing through, 11" by 8" framed, apparently unsigned. I would imagine this dates to the 1920's or 1930's most likely. I did open up the backing and could find neither signature nor any other information, though I feel the work quite likely by a listed artist. I purchased the painting in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Condition is excellent. The frame has a rustic Adirondacks feeling to it, with a suggestion of sa...

A watercolor painting of a tall pagoda, 20 1/2" by 11" (24 3/4" by 15" framed), signed at lower right by artist JI WON CHANG and dated 1968. This being a common Chinese name, it is difficult to tie this work to a particular artist, and there are no apparent auction records under this name. Nevertheless we see a competently created work, in a difficult to master medium; consider the complex fleshing-out of the tower's detail. Fifty year old mat has discolored and should be replaced with an aci...

A very accomplished pastel drawing in high key tropical-style colors, featuring a bird's eye view of the landscape around San Gimignano, the popular ancient Tuscan hilltop town in Italy, southwest of Florence, much beloved and frequented by tourists from around the world. The work, 13" by 10 1/4" (20" by 16" framed) is signed at lower right by contemporary artist Helen C. Butler. On the backing is a printed sticker of the artist giving the title. Excellent fresh, clean condition. Allow for r...

Watercolor on paper painting of a mid nineteenth century American house, 9 1/2" by 6 1/2" (17" by 13" framed), signed at lower right "Barney Moore" and dated there 1941. I do not see information on the artist but he was obviously talented. The house is of an architectural style that would have been common in the 1860's or 1870's, in many American neighborhoods east of the MIssissippi. Condition is excellent. Someone wrote "Moore 1946" on the reverse paper.

A watercolor on paper of people conversing and socializing in a square or city street, the sheet 15" by 11", the drawing 12 1/2" by 8 1/2" (22 1/2" by 18" in newish gold framing), the work indecipherably signed in red below the linen mat. The signature looks like "Arnold Balg(xxxxx)" or any number of variations of that, but to date I have been unable to tie this to a listed artist. The work came from the liquidated collection of eastern Pennsylvania theatre owner mogul Merton Shapiro (also of ...

A beautifully painted work, 10 1/4" by 14 1/4" inside the mat, unframed, apparently by a Massachusetts artist by the name of Edith Currier Walker. This was purchased in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in a shrink wrap sleeve, with a handwritten label that stated this was by an Edith Currier Walker. The work is not signed on the front but on the reverse is some writing that looks like "E v. C Wa.....". There is a listed artist by this name from Oregon and California, but a google search shows that...

An old oil on gray board painting of a stone bridge over the Seine River in central Paris, in high autumn. The work measures 9" by 12" (11 3/4" by 14 3/4" in attractive maybe 1930's frame). The signature at lower left appears to be "E Turner", the "E" placed on top of the "T". If I am reading this correctly, there does not appear to be a listed artist that would correspond. In any event, the work is excellent, and by a trained hand.

Watercolor and gouache impressionist painting of the Dead Sea in Israel, signed in pencil at lower right in modern Hebrew script as "Hana Bar(-on)" or "Chana Bar(-on) and dated there 1970. Below that in Hebrew is written "iam hamelach" (Dead Sea). I am not able to read Hebrew but was able to show this to a Hebrew reader. The work measures 13 1/2" by 19 1/4", and is presently unframed. It can be shipped between boards or in the plastic poster box in which it is presently loosely housed. Ther...

This is an unsigned, unframed, double-sided watercolor on heavy watercolor paper, 14 1/2" by 10 1/4", one side featuring a partially nude woman with arms behind her head, a decorative flowered textile of some sort covering the lower portion of her body; the other side features an outdoor amphitheater nighttime performance---perhaps, it has been suggested, the Hollywood Bowl. The vintage piece was acquired from a large collection of art that came from the estate of Brooks Pettus (1918-2003). Tho...

Ideal additions to a child's room, these three colorful original paintings, each 8" by 10", unframed, are fine examples of naive or "primitive" art from Haiti. Each is signed by artist "E Maxime". The fantasy landscapes of wild animals surrounded by tropical vegetation of a wide array of vivid colors and unusual shapes are bound to stimulate a child's imagination. But if you are an adult and you also find the color and composition fascinating, you will not be alone. Haitian art is very popul...

Watercolor on paper painting of a classic stone castle with figures outside its portals, 14" by 10 1/2" (26 1/2" by 23" as framed), apparently unsigned. This is a circa 1850 work which has survived in presentable condition. There is foxing in the sky principally, as shown, but no large stains. To be sure, there were a lot of anonymous skilled watercolor artists in the British Isles in the 19th century, though this might well have been created by an artist that would be "listed" today.

Watercolor and gouache painting of a ship or boat on roiling, stormy seas, circa 1970's, signed at lower left by artist "Andro", whose worn business card remains affixed to the backing. The work measures 23 1/2" x 17" and 25 1/2" by 19" as framed. The apparent zip code on the business card, 91203, I believe, is Glendale, California. The work is loose in the framing, slipping around. Frame is worn and will likely need to be replaced.

Watercolor and sepia brown ink on thin paper drawing of swans in a pond surrounded by vegetation, the sheet itself 5 3/8" by 11 5/8", apparently unsigned/undated, and with no watermarks I can see. If I had to guess as to age and origin I would say circa 1800 English, possibly later 18th century. The drawing is in very good condition for its age, with quite fresh colors. Someone in more recent times affixed it with adhesive to the overmat, but only at the bottom margin where there was original...

Watercolor on paper painting of the famous belfry towers and facade of the St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, possibly signed at lower right (illegible), 10 1/4" by 7 1/2" inside the mat, 16" by 10" framed, circa 1960's or 1970's I believe. The work is framed in an old, beveled dark oak quality frame that likely considerably pre-dates the art. When framed, someone wrote the title "St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans" on the mat below the image. Condition is excellen...

Colorful, heavily impressionistic acrylic painting with palette knife, the subject beached wooden boats in a sunny Mediterranean coastal landscape, signed at lower left by listed French artist PIERRE MAS (1933-). The work measures 11 1/4" by 27" as framed. Mas used copious amounts of wet-looking, lush paint, creating an interesting surface and texture. Colors are very complementary and harmonious, the turquoise particularly pleasing. Overall, the painting is a most attractive Mid Century wor...

A watercolor painting of a steep hillside with trees, several structures filling the lower portion of the composition, unsigned, 13 1/2" by 10 1/2" (24 3/4" by 20 1/2" in the dark simulated wood framing. The painting does have some age and would likely be by a listed artist. Mat got wet at some point at bottom and will need to be replaced. Art itself is in excellent condition, the colors fresh. There is a water stain on the reverse side of the paper, unrelated to the mat situation; but there...

An unframed oil on canvas painting of a dreamy waterfall, the deep and mysterious gorge featuring palm trees and at left a small flower-bedecked modest home, the 24" by 18" work signed at lower right "Carolyn". Condition is excellent, the work needing only a frame. The rendering of the palms reminds a bit of the way Filipino artist Romeo Tabuena painted such scenes.

A familiar scene that brings back fond memories to travelers who have experienced the pleasures of browsing the famous bouquiniste bookstalls along the Seine River in the heart of Paris---Notre Dame dominates the background, while a lively scene transpires, with a yellow-shirted artist and his easel at left, and a mother and her impatient young child at right, leafy trees framing the activity. The work is on canvas and measures 9" by 10 3/4" (15" by 16 1/2" framed). The artist, Andre Rousseau,...

An impressionistic watercolor painting of trees on the bank of a small lake or pond, signed at lower right by artist "M. MASAHIRO". The vintage work is very faintly painted, almost in the manner of artist Yamada Baske. The tree trunks are the most distinct features, while much of the rest of the scene is filmy, gauzy, ephemeral, foggy. An impressive little work (6 1/2" by 13", 11 3/4" by 18" in metal frame). Allow for reflections in some images. Due to the fuzziness of the imagery itself, t...

Watercolor on paper, 14" square and 3 1/4" frame and mat, unsigned, of flowers in a vase. This is the work of a skilled and likely listed artist but I do not see a hint of a signature. It was purchased near Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the reverse framing paper shows what appears to be a Houston, Texas address. Condition is excellent with no stains or foxing.

Offered as a pair, pastel drawings of fruit (an apple, and an orange), each signed by contemporary Alabama studio artist JOHN KELLEY. The drawings are each 4" by 4", and 11" by 9" as framed in light wood. Kelley was born in St. Louis but moved to a rural area near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he works diligently, producing paintings and drawings of fruit, four seasons landscape, and portraits. Technically very adept, Kelley has kept a low profile. A fun and whimsical website including blog sho...

An old unframed watercolor of an Asiatic-looking man in traditional clothing, with pencil writing in Russian at right including the date 19.II.1920. A Russian-speaker informs me that there is no name of an artist, but that the subject is identified as a Buryat. I take from online information: "The Buryat people are descended from various Siberian and Mongol peoples that inhabited the Lake Baikal Region including Kurykans, who are also the ancestors of the Siberian Turkic speaking Yakuts. Then...

A circa 1950's watercolor on heavy paper featuring a brick 19th century home on an orderly property including white split rail fencing, and a barn at right. Perhaps this is a gentleman's farm property in the eastern states, anywhere from Virginia through Ohio and up to New England. The artist, WILLIAM NETHERY, signed the watercolor at lower left and wrote "Passing Storm" on the mat at lower left, while also signing the mat again at lower right. I have not been able to discover any information...

Richard Faralla american artist 1916-1996 1992 watercolor " The Great Mill Petaluma CA" 1992 Many original works by this artist are in the SF Museum of Modern art. Matted sight 7" by 4" matt 12" by 15"

Beautifully executed in black and gray with minimal color, understated still life of an old style tin coffee pot, cooking pot, and white cup, 8" by 10 1/2" inside the mat, 15 1/2" by 17 1/2" as framed. There is possibly a monogram in lower right corner but I cannot attach it to any particular artist. The item is in a frame that evidently once came with a work by American landscape artist George Renouard, as the title on the label is "New Jersey Farm"---and there are old Butterfields auction la...

Oil on canvas landscape of a red-painted fishing shack or summer cottage on an idyllic lake, other cottages in the distance, 15" by 18 1/2" (20" by 22 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "K. Andor". I thought this scene perhaps Swedish, but the name Andor is Hungarian. There are several listings for an Andor with first name beginning with "K", such as Karoly, Kern, Kantor; I am not certain if this painting might have been created by any of those so it is listed as just an attractive and dec...

A nicely executed watercolor painting of a Mediterranean or Spanish style courtyard, the stuccoed white buildings with red tile roofs and grills on windows. Apparently unsigned, the work measures 10" by 13 1/4" (18" by 21 1/4" in circa 1960's or 1970's frame). This could be a scene of Spain, Central or South America, or, even, Southern California. Condition is excellent.

A pleasing watercolor painting of a small sail boat on a lake, trees beyond, painted in an impressionist hand. Unfortunately the talented artist did not sign the work, which is laid down on a card. Framing circa mid 1960's included the old fashioned detail-dulling non-glare glass which should be discarded. The work measures 14" by 10" inside the mat and 19 1/2" by 14 1/2" framed. Condition is excellent other than being laid down, and rusted tack holes in each corner, easily hidden by framing...

Nicely executed little watercolor of a woman in her nineteenth century finery, 11" by 7 3/4" as newly framed behind quality Tru Vue glass, unsigned. Her dress looks like circa 1860 but I do not know for sure that this would have been painted then. It would make for a pleasing addition to a woman's bedroom or sitting area.

In the style of the well known Gianni family of artists, is this watercolor painting of the famous trellised terrace on the world famous dramatic Italian coast, signed at lower right "A. Hunt" and titled there "Amalfi". The piece measures 7 1/4" by 13 1/2" (14" by 20" as framed). The work has some oxidation of the paper and a small dig hidden in the coastal promontory at right center but overall it has survived quite well, considering its travels without glass. The **FRAME** is quite attracti...

Early California watercolor painting, circa 1920's or 1930's I would guess, possibly earlier, titled at lower left Cathedral Peak/Emerald Bay, signed at lower right "A.L.M.". This is a view of Lake Tahoe and the grand scenery at the south end of that famous mountain lake. The painting measures 11 1/2" by 8 1/2" inside the mat, and 16 1/4" by 14 1/4" as simply framed. The style suggests the artist might have been a student or possibly familiar with the work of influential Northern California w...

A watercolor of a lighthouse on the Maine coast, 9" by 13" (15" by 19" in wood frame), signed at lower right by artist Donna Sabaka (1946-). On the reverse is written "The Nubble Light"/York/Cape Neddick, Me.". The artist signed again there and wrote "Kennebunkport, Me. 1986". The lighthouse is in the extreme southern portion of Maine, in the heavily visited coastal strip of that state---a large tourist draw in summer. Judging from information on the internet, Sabaka is apparently still a ve...

Watercolor en grisaille drawing of the ornate entry area of a 19th century American home, complete with trellis, shutters, clapboard and fine woodwork, unsigned, measuring 18" by 14" (20 1/2" by 16 7/8" framed in brown wood frame. There is also a pencil study of the doorway on the reverse (see last photo). Any number of artists could have created this. It reminds me of a home you'd see in a watercolor by Edward Lamson Henry. I'd date this to about 1910 through 1930. Condition is very good a...

Found in Connecticut, this beautifully drawn still life features poinsettia in a blue and white vase, other props including a Greek or Russian icon, a book and a plate, the work signed at lower right by artist Charlotte Newton. There is an askart listing for an artist of that name, born in Missouri in 1839, a resident of Los Angeles by 1880, who passed away in 1914. The presence of the poinsettia leads me to believe that this might well be a work by this California artist, but it is difficult...

For the Anglophile, this is a piece of classic old England, a watercolor, 10" by 14", (16 3/8" by 20" as framed), signed at lower left by artist MICHAEL VICARY, the scene a narrow riverboat barge on the Thames under the classic view of Windsor Castle outside London. A few pieces by Vicary have crossed the auction block, but the main appeal of the work lies in its fine detail and craftsmanship. Note the five swans, the two figures rowing in the foreground, the fine reflections, tiny figures on ...

If you're looking for an Asian accent piece for your interior, consider this oil on canvasboard, 23 5/8" by 17 5/8" (a little over 31" by 25" as framed), signed at lower right "Bill Parrish" (or Perrish, or Porrish), not dated but likely mid century from late 1940's to early 1960's, the subject a young Chinese woman in traditional colorful costume, with what I believe is an important Chinese character for something important like "life", "luck", etc. at upper right background. I do not see a li...

Oil on board painting of the famous Matterhorn in Switzerland, two small wooden structures in the foreground and elegant trees at left completing the composition. The work is signed at lower right "M M Cole" and is dated there 1981. On the reverse of the frame is written "Miriam '81", so, we likely have an American woman as the artist. Measurements are 18" by 22" and 21 1/2" by 25 1/2" as framed. The artist has really done an especially impressive job at depicting the towering peak, arguably ...

Attractive, nicely worked pastel landscape of California in the fall, 14" by 17 3/4" (24" by 27 1/2" presently in gold metal frame), signed at lower left "Dorothy Dennison" and dated there 1962. The piece is very clean and fresh. The artist was obviously a skilled practitioner when it came to this difficult to master medium.

Banksy is world-renowned for graffiti art with political themes and dark humor. His spontaneously-appearing works are found on walls, and bridges in many nations, and his art has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon, genuine paintings and prints bringing very large sums at auction. This work, on canvas, unframed, measures 8" by 24", is not a genuine work of the artist, but could be said to be in his style. Very contemporary in feeling, we see a heart at left with a figure with spiked hair a...

Oil on canvas painting of fruits, bottles and other objects, painted in a highly impressionist style, 12" by 16", unframed. The painting bears a signature "G d E" at lower right, added later (very obviously "floats"---dark under UV light) for French artist Georges d'Espagnat (1870-1950). So we have here a likely American painting, I think circa 1950's or so, that is very nicely done and quite decorative. There's very small paint loss at lower edge from past frame abrasion. Canvas is not perf...

Oil on canvas, 27 1/2" by 22 1/2" (36" by 30" as framed), the subject a young man wearing a colorful bandana, intently working on some objects in his hands, a traditional ethnic mask in the upper right background. The painting is signed in red at lower right "S. C. YUAN", (1911-1974), who was an important Chinese-American artist from the Monterey, California area, however, this is definitely NOT a work of that well-known artist (I showed images to several auction houses and a gallery or two). ...

Unframed oil on paper on board painting of a desert Southwest landscape, 8 1/2" by 12", signed at lower right M. Edwards. The painting probably dates to the 1920's or 1930's I would guess. It has accumulated a lot of soiling and varnish has yellowed, so it desperately needs a cleaning. Note the left extreme edge, which must have been behind a frame, to get some idea of the potential after cleaning. There is also a small dig at right edge, and upper right corner of the paper is missing. This...

A contemporary original watercolor painting dated 2009, the subject very much a fantasy summary of the Peruvian Andes----including whitewashed old colonial buildings and stone foot bridges, traditional garb, bowler-hat wearing women carrying their babies on their backs, and the quintessential llamas of the region. The work, measuring 9 1/2" by 13 1/2" (20" by 24" in interesting dark faux bamboo frame) is signed at lower right "E Garces '09/Cusco Peru". No doubt this piece came to the US in the...