An oil on canvas painting of white flowers in a glass vase on a table top, two small porcelain vessels nearby, the work signed at lower right by artist Minerva Smithers. On the stretcher in pencil is written "Matilija Poppy" and then the artist again wrote her name in longhand. A google search shows a Minerva Smithers born in 1877 in Wisconsin, the woman's residence given in the 1940 census as Hawthorne, in Southern California (very near where this was found)...

A painting on canvas, 10" by 14" (11" by 15" in simple modern frame), featuring a New England homestead, likely Connecticut, complete with split rail fence and stone wall, signed at lower right and dated there 1892 by Wisconsin-born artist GEORGE SELDEN ROORBACH (1860-1930). The artist was in the Northeast in the 1890's, living with his young bride in the vicinity of Mystic, Connecticut, and also instructing in art in New York City. He exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1891...

An old and antique American painting of a seated young man playing a flute in a vaguely defined interior, 24" by 20" (32 1/2" by 28" in mid 20th century frame), unsigned. The talented artist remains anonymous but was obviously talented and probably listed. Note the mantel clock at left and elegant European-style table and chair. Over the years the painting has darkened dramatically, taking on a yellow-brown cast due to decades of grime and smoke...

A very interesting and unusual painting, appearing to be gouache on a prepared gessoed panel (and the piece is accordingly quite heavy for its size), featuring Native American indian dancers and onlookers in the Southwest, likely Navajos of New Mexico or northeastern Arizona. The 22 1/2" by 27" unframed work is signed at lower right "Arline Wyrick". A quick google search did not reveal any obvious links to a known artist, but she was obviously quite skilled, and this bears further research...

Oil on canvas painting of a man's smoking pipe and other objects on a tabletop, 13" by 15", 16 1/2" by 18 1/2" in mid 20th century gold frame, signed at upper right by artist Cora (Cara?) L. Sloper and dated there 1899. This is a competently painted work, but I am unable to locate an artist by this name despite an intensive internet search. The name appears to be common in the upper Midwest, but this painting was purchased in Massachusetts, near Cape Cod...

A PAIR of oil on canvasboard paintings, each 20" by 24", signed at lower right by the same artist, "McKee", the subjects a rural farm in autumn, the other an eerily empty Hopperesque old house. These were found in Southern California and the scenes may well be Californian. There are a number of artists by the name McKee so it is difficult to determine who may have created these...

A circa 1900 oil on canvas painting of roses against a simple dark background, 12 1/2" by 18", and 20" by 24 1/2" in likely original bright gold frame. There does not appear to be a signature. Roses were a popular subject of painters during that period, with many young ladies especially encouraged to take up painting. The American painter George Cochran Lambdin often used dark or black backgrounds for his floral still life works...

A vintage impressionist oil on board painting with modernist touches, unsigned, 20" by 16". The work is probably by a listed artist but alas there is no signature. The almost Cubistic handling of the cloth and rear drape and the foreshortened space are most interesting. The work probably dates to about the 1940's. Unframed, and with some small faults common to older paintings, including light soiling, a few minor losses, edge losses etc.

An old oil on canvas painting of a swift-running river in a steep mountain canyon landscape in the fall, 24 1/2" by 20" (32 1/2" by 27 1/2" in circa 1920's pie crust style frame, unsigned on front, with "Herman Herzog/Storm at Yosemite" written on the back of the canvas in an old style hand (difficult to photograph, I have provided two images)...

Oil on canvas American painting of a clipper foundering in a storm, 20" by 27" (22 1/2" by 29 1/2" in a nice old gold period frame), unsigned, circa 1870's. The work strongly resembles that of American marine artist CLEMENT DREW (1806-1889) but is unsigned. The painting is in poor condition currently. It appears to have had a reline decades ago, and likely overpainting. Now there is craquelure throughout, flaking paint and other issues...

A decorative impressionist landscape painting of autumnal trees in an intimate space, perhaps a shallow arroyo, oil on canvasboard, 18" by 14" (25" by 21" framed), signed at lower left by artist Alison Lowe. It is framed in gold frame with clean liner and all in all is a solid decorative picture for moderate cost.

Oil on canvasboard painting of a woman with basket on head in tropical town street, 12" by 16", 17" by 21" framed, signed at lower right Paul Katzman. The FRAME is most interesting, with a geometric cross-hatching pattern that would complement a Southwest themed painting.

A contemporary, unsigned oil on canvasboard work, 9" by 12" (12 1/2" by 15 1/2" in simple black frame), the subject small boats at a dock, one likely a fishing boat. The work was likely painted rather rapidly by an artist of talent. It is clean and ready for the wall.

A late 20th century acrylic on canvas painting of an old New England mill by the mill pond in winter snow, 12" by 36" (15 1/4" by 39" framed), signed at lower right by recognized contemporary Rhode Island-based artist GERALD A. ROBILLARD. The peaceful work captures beautifully the peace of a mid winter New England day while the snow falls. One can almost hear the roar of the falls at right, typical of a mill pond...

Early landscape painting of a likely imaginary, idealized, pyramidal mountain peak of California, (doesn't really resemble Mt. Shasta, but I suppose it could be), 20" by 16" on the stretchers, painted on canvas, 25 3/4" by 21 3/4" in a fine old gold 19th century frame, signed at lower right by artist "C...

An American oil on panel painting, unsigned, likely circa 1920, unframed, featuring a landscape including a lake, some distant low mountains, and yellowing foliage in foreground suggesting autumn as the season. The piece measures 14" by 22". Surface is dirty---could really use a cleaning/varnish---and there is paint chipping along left, top, and bottom edges, as well as a small loss at left center in the foliage. Needs some TLC but the essentials are all there. On reverse is written "(May?) ...

A most unusual painting on wood panel, 24" by 30", unframed, featuring some gritty, tough-looking downtown Los Angeles men in a claustrophobic, vertiginous streetscape of old hotel buildings. The Hotel Rosslyn and annex were built in 1914 and 1923, respectively, and were fashionable places to stay, in their day, at Fifth and Main in old downtown. The medium used is likely casein or other non-oil, water-based paint. The painting takes from older Social Realist painting and murals of the early ...

Oil on canvas painting of a farmer by a water pump in an open field, two dray horses at center and left slaking their thirst. The work measures 11" by 12" and 15 1/2" by 16 1/2" in frame that may well be the original. The painting is signed faintly yet distinctly at lower left corner "S.S.C.", which is one of the known signatures of American artist SAMUEL SIMPSON CARR (1837-1908). Other known signatures include "S.S. CARR" and "S. CARR". Carr was born in England and for a time studied at the ...

Oil on canvas painting of white and pink roses in a blue bowl, signed at lower right "Strachan". The work, measuring 18" by 24" and 23" by 28 1/2" in likely original frame, has tiny losses in background and lower left area. The frame also has light wear, and losses on back of left edge. Overall, a very shabby chic piece in feeling. There is an old Los Angeles framer's sticker on reverse backing.

Oil on canvasboard painting of a dirt road through a pine woodland, signed at lower right by artist ADDIE SYLVESTER. On the reverse side it is titled "Deep in the Heart of Texas", signed again and dated 1950. I do not see information on the artist. Curiously there was a woman by that name who passed away in 1989 in Manhattan, Kansas area; on the backing paper, most of a label is missing, but the remaining letters of what would be the town in the address are "MAN...". There may or may not be ...

A very pretty contemporary oil on canvas landscape of trees, a cluster of pink flowers in the left foreground, signed at lower right by California Art Club associate member DULCIE ADAMS. Biographical information seems to be lacking on this obviously talented artist. The work measures 18" by 24" (26 1/2" by 32" nicely framed). Painting is in excellent condition; linen liner has a small stain that could probably be removed.

Oil on canvasboard painting of gulls flying above the waves, the stern of a boat at left, 12" by 16", (17" by 21 1/2" framed), signed in ink on reverse ("Painted by Edith Fite"/XXX Magee 1951"). The scene reminds of how hungry gulls loyally follow the back end of a fishing boat. I have not located information on the artist. The painting could well benefit from a cleaning after about 70 years.

A nicely painted oil on canvas still life of flowers in a Chinese vase or pot, balancing between trompe l'oeil realism and impressionism, signed at lower left by artist ELIZABETH CAMPBELL. This is a contemporary work, likely less than thirty years old, measuring 28" by 22" (33 1/2" by 27 1/2" framed). There is a listing by this name but I do not believe it to be the same artist. Condition is excellent save for a small scuff at upper left.

A circa 1960's vintage oil on Masonite painting, 30" by 18" (36 1/2" by 24 1/2" as framed), unsigned, the subject a peaceful creek or marsh land area in late autumn, one tree in full autumnal colors. This is a very nicely painted work, which could benefit from a light cleaning, but you would not have to have that done. Condition is excellent, frame has a bit of wear consistent with age. The artist handled the light and reflections beautifully.

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...

Three oil still life works on canvas by the same hand, each signed "G. Gillson", circa late 20th century, all painted in an earlier style. Measurements are 12" by 16" and 9" by 12", and frames 1 3/4" wide on a side. I do not see a listing for an artist by this name. These are nicely painted and will complement your traditional interior. The dark, wood frames have some scratches and you might want to replace them with gold, which would dramatically improve the overall presentation. The 12 by...

Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Painted Miniature Brooch

Oil-on-canvas, unsigned

Mid 19th Century

Painting: 20 ¼” x 16 ½”
Frame: 24 ¼” x 201/4”

Impressionist oil on panel painting of a hardy desert shrub in the California desert, 20" by 10 1/4" (22 1/2" by 13" as framed), signed at lower right corner M. Gustafson. On the reverse is a rubber stamp of De Ru's Fine Art of Bellflower, CA, a well-known source for vintage California paintings. Near that rubber stamp is written in pencil "1970", likely a date of framing or possibly when the work was created by an old-timer---the style of the signature suggests it is by an older person I beli...

A nicely painted oil on canvas of flowers in a vase, 20" by 16" (22" by 18" in original frame), signed at lower right by Canadian-born, California impressionist artist GEORGIA P(ERKINS) FOSTER (1881-1965). On the reverse is the original label of the Oakland Art Gallery, giving the artist's name and address in Berkeley, and the title, "Marigolds". The impressionist technique is skilled and pleasing, and the work is in good condition, though a cleaning would be complementary. Foster came to Cal...

A circa 1960's to early 1970's oil on board painting in earth tones of dark brown, tan and cream, unsigned, 9" by 22" as framed in black with gold and an orange velvet liner (pure 60's!). The imagery could be purely abstract though to me, a skyline and reflection of that skyline in water is suggested----such as Manhattan from the New Jersey side of the river. A very Mid Century addition to your interior.

Impressionist small contemporary painting of a knoll in sunlight and shadow, 8" by 10", unframed, unsigned. This is a quickly executed work, almost a sketch in oil, by an anonymous but skilled artist. It is in excellent condition. The regular size would facilitate buying a suitable frame at a modest price.

A still life on board, of fruit on a green table cloth with white pitcher, unframed, 12" by 16", signed in the wet paint by listed Connecticut woman artist SUSAN GRISELL (1946-). The work is in excellent condition, and needs just a (standard size, easy to find) frame. Grisell is a New Milford, Connecticut native and has lived her life mostly in Litchfield County in the scenic northwestern part of the state. The area has a rich artistic history, having attracted painters since the 19th century...

Oil on panel, 12" by 9", unframed, signed at lower left "Brandon" or "Granlee"; hard to decipher, but the signature has a professional look to it. The work features flaming yellow aspen in fall, it would appear. Rapidly painted with highly impressionistic strokes, the work is complete. The sticker on back with 888 phone number indicates a date of execution after 1996. Put a standard size 12" by 9" frame around this and hang it on the wall.

A primitive, circa 1880's oil on gray board landscape painting in the Hudson River style, with trees, water, and tiny figures completing the view. Measurements are 18 3/4" by 24 1/2", unframed. There is no signature. The board is slightly warped from old moisture exposure, which caused paint instability/flaking/losses at top couple of inches, as shown, and cracking at lower right. There are also a few light abrasions as shown.

Oil on canvas painting of autumnal trees in an extensive landscape, signed lower right by artist SAIMA SYVERSON (1891-1978). The work, 24" by 30" (29" by 35" in circa 1950's attractive frame) is an impressive size, and the rich impasto brushwork adds to the appeal. Condition is excellent save for a 1" small narrow loss at extreme top left, and there is a small piece of the frame missing at bottom center. According to a great granddaughter of the artist, who kindly contacted me, the artist was...

Oil on canvas contemporary painting of a young woman in a sundress and stylish sun hat, on the deck of a ship, not signed. The work, 19 3/4" by 19 3/4", is unframed and unsigned. Condition is excellent overall, though I note two very light scuffs at right to the left of the lifesaver ring. A cute whimsical work for your wall.