Colorful oil on canvas unframed painting (24" by 20") featuring lily pads on a woodland pond, signed at lower right by listed California artist JOHN MARTIN HISS (1891-1972). It likely dates to about the 1950's. Hiss was essentially a talented hobbyist artist; he is best known as a physician and orthopedic surgeon who devised remedial treatments for disorders of the feet. The work is in excellent vintage condition. I note an inconsequential hairline scratch at mid right.

A beautifully painted unframed work by an anonymous talented hand, late 20th century or later, on canvas, 26 1/2" by 22 1/2", featuring an old-country view of house and courtyard in a valley setting. The flickering, spontaneous impressionist brushwork is impressive. Sadly, the artist did not sign the piece. Excellent condition, needing only a frame.

Oil on Masonite painting of coastal rocks and waves, framed in an interesting and appealing vintage wood frame, signed at lower right by artist J. Wessely. I do not see a listing for the artist, who created an attractive and dynamic composition. The painting measures 18" by 24" (22 3/4" by 28 3/4" framed). It could date to about the early 1950's, judging from frame and board. The frame has a rugged, "Cabin Art" feeling with bold outdoorsy carving...

Oil on masonite panel painting of a Texas landscape with oaks and bluebonnet in the spring, 16" by 20", unframed, signed at lower left by artist Nancy McDonald. According to the daughter of the artist, Nancy's paintings were sold in the San Antonio area. She belonged to the River Art Group for many years. McDonald passed away in 2011. The painting is attractive and squarely within the "Bluebonnet School" tradition of Texas art...

Lovely still life painting, oil on canvas of basket of fruit, either peaches or plums, in gilt gesso frame with floral designs. Measures 16" x 21 1/4", stretcher is 12" x 17". Unsigned, well painted, artist likely had some academic training. Lush image of fruit spilling from a basket, against a dark background, very typical of still life paintings from mid to late 19th century, American school. Frame is wood with gesso finish consisting of floral and foliate designs over a textured backgroun...

Oil on board painting titled on reverse "MORNING FOG", with artist's Laguna Beach stamp nearby, 16" by 20" (22" by 26" framed), signed lower left and dated there 1954, the subject a coast with rocky promontories and foreground beach, by listed artist Edward L. Fernsten (1892-1980). Fernsten was born in Oakville, California in the Napa Valley. He was largely self-taught but did have some instruction time under Boardman Robinson and Robert Graham...

A decorative oil on canvas painting of a winter forest and pond scene, executed in predominantly blues, browns and white, the generous and liberal amount of paint quite vigorously and impressionistically moved around by the artist, JULIAN RHINEHARDT (1915-), who signed at lower right. The 24" by 20" work (34 1/2" by 30 1/2"as framed) is in excellent condition. Painting probably dates to the 1970's or early 1980's. Rhinehardt's biographical information seems to be elusive...

An oil on canvas painting of a clipper in full sail on the high seas, 16" by 20" (19 3/4" by 23 3/4" framed), signed at lower right in red by artist PAUL MASON and dated there with what appears as 1936. The work features attractive impressionist technique and colors. A search for information on the artist was not productive. There is a framer's label from Boston's Beacon Hill area, so we can likely assume that the artist was a New Englander...

Oil on canvas landscape of a snowy peak towering above lower mountains, a lone figure in a row boat at lower right in the lake, signed at lower right "Wm. Rennison" or similar. The early 20th century work measures 14" by 24" (17 3/4" by 28" in modern-day antique style framing). The work reminds of the Hudson River School. If I am reading the name correctly, I am not able to locate a listed artist by that name...

Oil painting of the front of a noted cafe, "La Bonne Entente", signed at lower right by artist "Vanet". This 8 1/4" by 10" (14 1/4" by 16 1/4" framed) work is by a Bulgarian woman artist by the name IVANKA PETROVA-TZEKOV, born 1956. She has been in France since 1983, painting colorful, figure-filled works of nightclubs and other scenes with multiple figures. She was a 1982 graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia...

For the den or man cave of the fly fisherman, here is a rustic painting on plywood panel of a trout leaping to catch what appears to be a large yellow moth or butterfly flitting just above the water's surface. The painting is actually titled "Butterfly" at bottom center. At right corner is the name of the artist, W. L. Mohl or Mahl, and "White Pine Pk. 1939". There is a "White Pine Peak" in both Utah and Nevada...

Oil on canvas painting, unframed, 24" by 18", titled on stretcher in artist's hand "TAKING IN THE SIGHTS ON ROMANTIC CHURCH STREET, CHARLESTON", and signed at lower left by the late San Diego county artist and poet NATALIE REED. Reed was a familiar name in the arts community in the San Diego area, creating paintings and sculptures and even murals in large scale for public buildings, including a work for the Federal Building in downtown San Francisco. She was a traveler, painting along the way ...

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.

Painting of two children hugging tenderly, 24" by 20", unframed, signed at upper left by the noted Brazil-California 20th century artist OZZ FRANCA (1928-1991). Franca is perhaps best known for his paintings of Native American women, and "Big Eye" children, but he also painted a wide range of other subject matter. The Askart listing says he painted, among other subjects, fantasy, dreams/mystery, female figure, still life, cityscapes, seascapes, and pure abstraction. The artist grew up in Sao ...

For the collector of early, 19th century California art, here is an east coast-style still life work, 10" by 14 1/2", unframed, signed at lower right "Bertie L Emery" and dated there 1892. The shallow dish holds oranges, grapes, a banana, and possibly slices of cake or bread, the dish resting on a white cloth, on an unseen tabletop. Interestingly for art history, Emery signs her first name as "Bertie". The artist, BERTHA LUCE EMERY (1873-1957) is today closely associated with watercolors of M...

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. The painting is in good condition, with just a pinpoint los...

An oil on board painting, (19" by 16", and 27" by 23" framed), of a French landscape, by the French mid century impressionist artist ROGER ETIENNE (1922-2011). The painting is signed at lower left by the artist and dated there 1975, and at lower right he wrote a dedication to previous owners "Pour Balli & John". The scene, an avenue leading into a small town or village, is at once impressionist and also Expressionist, with strong brush strokes especially in sky, and some points of bright color. ...

Oil on masonite still life painting, 24" by 18" (33" by 26" framed), signed at lower left by California artist CLARETTA ELLIS WHITE (c. 1915-2002). This is a briskly painted work by an artist who was quite active in the Southern California art scene at mid century. An unusually detailed and complete website, evidently created by relatives, gives a complete history of her active life. The artist was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma into a cultured family. She grew up in Tulsa and went on to work as a s...