Oil on canvas of a clapboard cottage by a lake in spring, 18" by 24" with 3" frame, signed at lower left "J.C. FRANCES". I do not see a listing for the artist but he or she was obviously at the very least familiar with the paintings of Henry Pember Smith (1854-1907) and George W. Drew (1875-1968), who painted eerily similar scenes. This painting shows a gambrel roofed cottage with blooming pink blossomed trees and ducks----an idyllic spring idyll in New England or New York state perhaps...

A circa 1880 American painting on canvas of a white clapboard house on a farm or rural land, the structure surrounded by bare trees, white fences and outbuildings, a sitting dog strategically placed at center staring directly at the viewer. The work measures 18" by 22" and 22" by 25" framed...

Wonderful old oil painting on board of two hunting dog puppies quizzically studying a frog. Signed "Ida Graham" in lower left corner, in frame it measures 12" x 14", sight size 9" x 11".

A very attractive floral still life, 30" by 24" (37" by 31" framed), quite light and airy with white predominating, signed at lower right by by the hand of noted California-born artist PAUL MATHENIA (1946-). This is a beautifully worked oil on canvas painting of flowers in a table top vase, signed at lower right with the artist's typical signature. Mathenia was born in Bakersfield, California and showed early artistic talent as a youngster...

Oil on masonite, circa late 1940's or early 1950's, 16 1/2" by 23 1/2" (22" by 31 1/2" as framed), signed at lower left by Pittsburgh artist PERRY DAVIS. This is a beautifully painted work by an obviously talented artist, although I have not to date found a listing on him. There's a label on the reverse of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, 37th Annual Exhibition with the title, and artist's address. The painting has a strong WPA feeling to it...

Contemporary painting of a young woman in summery attire, teasing the viewer as she clings to her white wide-brimmed hat, 24" by 36", unframed, signed at right by contemporary American artist R. BAILEY. I do not see information on an artist by this name. The painting is reminiscent of classic 20th century pin-up illustration art. It is in excellent display condition.

Oil on canvas painting of high snowy mountains framed by aspen in late autumn, 12" by 16" (17 1/4" by 20 1/2" nicely framed) signed in the wet paint by well listed American artist EDWARD NORTON WARD (1928-). This might well be a scene in northern New Mexico or southern Colorado, but the artist was known to have painted in many locales in the American west, including Montana, Oregon and Alaska. Ward, a native Californian, moved to the Monterey area in the mid 1950's...

Oil on board painting of whitewashed, red tile roof typical California architecture, a garden in bloom in the brilliant sunshine, painted circa 1940 by an anonymous artist. The impressionist technique is outstanding, and I believe that were this signed, we would see the name of a listed artist. Written in old hand in pencil on the reverse of the board is "Pomona College Claremont"...

Oil on canvas landscape oil, unmounted/unstretched, contained loosely in a decorative and complementary modern white metal frame, measuring 5" by 7" (7 1/2" by 10" as framed), signed at lower left "A. Schilling". I would date this to the late 19th century or early years of the 20th. Schilling (1859-1937) exhibited in Chicago at the Art Institute, St. Louis at the world's fair, at the Pennsylvania Academy, and elsewhere...

A vintage still life oil painting of yellow and orange flowers in a brown jug on a table top, unframed, 30" by 36", signed at lower right by listed Southern California artist BERTHA TOWNSEND COLER (1865-1948). Coler was born in Ohio and studied with Robert Henri and William Merritt Chase in New York City...

Oil on board painting of two clipper ships in full sail on the high seas, 21 1/4" by 27" (25" by 31" framed), probably executed circa 1970's to about 1985, signed at lower right by the artist, AUSTIN DWYER of Seattle. There is a website maintained by the artist, with a host of biographical information, and images of works for sale, both original and giclee prints. Dwyer was born in Ireland but became a U.S. citizen...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a greatly simplified vase with flowers, unframed, 16" by 12", signed at lower right "Dieter" and bearing on the reverse the title "Spring Bouquet" and "W. D. ZANDER/25 EAST END AVE/N.Y N.Y 10028". This is a work, possibly circa 1970's or 1980's, by a long-lived gentleman with an extraordinary life history, who happens also to have been a very talented artist. Zander was born in Germany in 1915, and educated in Neuchatel, Switzerland...

A 24" by 36" oil on Masonite painting (30" by 41 1/2" as framed), titled on reverse "The Essence of Autumn", July 2002, signed there and again at lower right by listed California contemporary artist ROBERT ALLISON RICHERT (born 1947). The artist in the early 1970's received his Bachelor's Degree in Art at California State University, Long Beach. He describes being attuned to the outdoors while still a child, exploring the natural world. California impressionist landscape paintings by his hand...

(ONE OF SEVERAL BY MERRIAM IN MY SHOP) An oil on canvas, 30" by 40", unframed), the subject a Southern California desert mountain wash and canyon, a cluster of desert palms grouped towards the center of the composition, the painting unsigned by undoubtedly by the talented California painter JAMES MERRIAM (1880-1951). This brushstrokes, size and subject matter of this particular example is very typical of the artist's work; I will stand by its being "a Merriam". Merriam was born in Canada and was...

Original oil painting on canvas by Eugene Szirovecz (American, 1936-2008). This painting is beautifully framed and measures 24" by 36" (painting alone). It is signed and dated l.m. It is offered in excellent condition. Szirovecz was a California artist who specialized in painting the nude. One of three works by this artist currently available. Provenance: estate of the artist.

A Fine Painting by the Listed Oklahoma Artist, Eula L. Grimes. Painting measures about 22" by 26" and is signed lower left. Does have a little wear and a couple of scratches, but shows well. Great Mid Century look.

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.

A fine example of California plein air art by listed woman artist MARY MAISON (1886-1954), unframed, 16" by 20", signed at lower right. The work is painted directly on wood panel. Image is of a high mountain, like Mt. San Jacinto or Mt. San Gorgonio near Palm Springs, seen in early spring when snow remains on the summits as the desert blooms far below. The former Mary Cox was born in Bethlehem, PA and studied art in Paris and Philadelphia. By the early 1920's she had settled in Southern Cali...