Oil on canvas painting of a small house in the trees, 22" by 26" (28" by 32" framed), signed at lower right "Stahl" and dated there "42", titled on reverse "In Laurel Canyon" and signed and dated again there. This is an early work by the important, well-listed American illustrator artist and art educator BENJAMIN A. STAHL (1910-1987). Stahl was Chicago-born, and traveled to Mexico and apparently California as well, before settling into Weston, Connecticut and eventually, Sarasota, Florida...

For the fans of the "Big Eye" paintings, here is a pair of mid century retro style works in oil on board, each 23 1/2" by 11 1/4", and each signed at lower right. The signatures are hard to decipher; I'm guessing "Balmiani" or "Dalmiani". If I am reading them at all correctly, I am not able to tie these names to any of the listed, recognized big eye painters. Regardless of authorship, these are sure to please the devoted big eye collector...

Oil on canvas, simply framed in wood, the canvas measuring 35 1/2" by 30" (90 cm. by 76 cm.) on the stretchers, signed at lower right in the wet paint and dated there "10-4-1996". This is a work by a popular and well regarded Indonesian painter, DJOKO PEKIK (1938-). The works of Pekik (sometimes spelled Pekek) have sold to at least the $40,000 level at auctions of Southeast Asian paintings in Singapore and Hong Kong...

Oil on canvas still life of white flowers in a vase on a table top, a decorative curtain at left, 30" by 25", unframed, signed at lower left and inscribed there "For Mother & Dad", by the listed California artist EUGENE DUNLAP (1916-1999). Dunlap studied with the likes of Jack Wilkinson Smith, J. Mason Reeves and Nell Walker Warner. An exhibitor at the Golden Gate International Exhibition in 1939, he for a good part of his life was a part of the Laguna Beach art scene...

A charming impressionistic oil on canvas painting of a French village, 21" by 29" (26" by 33 1/2" framed), signed at lower left by the well-listed prolific French artist GEORGES LAPORTE (1926-2000). The work, painted in grays, browns and greens, reminds a bit of the work of Maurice Vlaminck; note the French-style telephone pole at center. LaPorte painted the French coast of Normandy down to Burgundy, still life, and village scenes. Auction records exist to $9400...

Oil on canvas modernistic still life, 12" by 20" (13" by 21" in a narrow wood frame), signed at lower right "R. FORTIER" and dated there 1948. The work reminds me a little bit of Braque, Picasso or some of the other 20th century giants who painted modern still life. This painting was evidently owned by a heavy smoker or was in a bar or restaurant where smoke was very much a part of the scene, as it is very heavily yellowed and smells of smoke...

Oil on canvas painting of a young ballerina, 50" by 30" (60" by 40" as framed), signed at lower left by noted American painter SAUL SCHARY (1904-1978). This is a large and impressive work that reminds one perhaps of the painting styles of Raphael Soyer, Robert Brackman, or Robert Phillipp. The young dancer is shown in her tights against a plain background that does not distract the viewer from her lovely figure and stance...

An exceptional example of the work of Florida's well-listed impressionist artist, EMMETT FRITZ (1917-1995), the 16" by 20" work (20 3/4" by 24 3/4" framed) a view down St. George St. in the historic downtown area of St. Augustine on Florida's northeast coast. This example seems to be a particularly above average effort by the artist, and it is in exceptionally fresh condition, having just come from a Southern California estate...

Oil on quality canvas painting of a body of water glimpsed through trees in a foggy, veiled atmosphere, titled on reverse "On the Train to Paris 2003", and signed there by what appears as "Lantin Gunison" or similar. The title captures beautifully a particular scene that would appear only very momentarily on a long train ride, never to be seen again. Surprisingly, given the quality of the work, I am unable to locate an artist by that name or similar (though, I may be misreading the signature)...

"Two Women at the Opera" oil on canvas 19 1/4" x 24 1/8" w/o frame, 29 1/2" x 34 1/2" w/ frame. Robert Philipp, painter and etcher was born February 2nd, 1895 in New York City. He studied at the Art Students' League whith Frank Vincent DuMond and George Bridgman from 1910 to 1914...

Desert scene with distant mountains, possibly a scene in Texas or New Mexico, in oil on artist's board, 8 1/2" by 12 1/2", unframed, signed at lower right "M. Edwards", not dated but likely circa 1920 to about 1940, judging from the technique, soiling and the black board. I don't see a listing for the name but he or she was obviously talented. The painting is very, very dirty and would be a wonderful candidate for a cleaning, which would really transform it. Obviously it needs a frame too, bu...

Oil on canvas, 36" by 40" and a narrow black wood frame, circa 1970's, signed at lower right "JMac". There is a website for this artist's work, set up by the artist. I believe the type of painting might well be called "hard edge", there being sharp delineations between strips of color. This is a large and decorative work that will enhance any modern or mid century interior. The painting needs a simple cleaning, as over the years it has acquired some superficial brownish drips and soiling. Th...

Ideal addition to kitchen or pantry area, a well-painted little still life of green and yellow zucchini squash, and an onion, 7 1/2" by 11 1/4" inside the linen mat, 11" by 15" framed, signed on the back of the canvas "Duffy '95". The framer's label is from Chicago so our artist may have been from Illinois. This is a decorative work and the skill of the artist is obvious. There is light wear to the frame. I had to open up the backing to find the signature and date.

Oil on canvas or board behind glass (not examined out of frame), 15 1/2" by 21 1/2" (25" by 31" as framed), signed at lower left, and inscribed there "Bettys-y-Coed" (not dated). This is a well known and picturesque part of Wales, an area that attracted many artists in the 19th and early 20th century. The artist may possibly be the listed EDWARD or EDWIN Masters. The works of those artists have sold at Christie's South Kensington auctions in London. Condition is good as it has been protected...

Here's an unusual item, a painting on white milk glass, in oil, measuring 5 1/2" by 7 1/2" and 8" by 10" as framed. The somewhat folk art feeling work is not signed. I would judge the age as anywhere from about 1880 to about 1920----a nautical type could probably date this more accurately by noting in which decade such a ship would have existed. Condition is good with minor paint losses from scratches and aging. However the small losses are not really noticeable at normal viewing distance. ...

Large oil on canvas, 30" by 36", 40" by 46" as framed , signed at lower right and dated "11" by listed American artist R.A. KISSACK (Robert A. Kissack, 1878-?). This painting seems to draw some of its inspiration from the famous work of Whistler's Mother....with the profile view, and the simple background, which consists here of a Japanese style framed print at upper left and a slag glass type early century lamp. The lamp and dim interior also lends an Arts and Crafts feeling. The St. Louis-born...

Oil on canvas of a verdant, flower-filled sunny courtyard, 16" by 20" and 1 1/2" wide frame, inscribed at lower left "Para Antonio y Cuca" and signed by the artist CARLOS S. SIEGER and dated 1945. I have researched the name online and elsewhere and cannot seem to come up with a listing, though the artist was skilled. I purchased this art in Miami Beach, so a Latin American origin is probable. The painting has a two inch split in the taut, thin canvas at lower right, hidden in the foliage, and...

Oil on canvasboard, 16" by 20" (19" by 23" in its simple wood frame), the subject Motif #1 in iconic Rockport, Massachusetts harbor at the tip of artists' paradise Cape Ann, circa 1950's or 1960's, signed at lower right by the artist. This is rather typical subject matter for Garabedian, who worked on the north shore, in Maine, and even away from the coastal areas, always painting in an impressionistic hand. This painting has lots going on: the famous red shack itself, a number of boats, seve...