Contemporary unframed American painting (24" by 36"), the subject a middle-aged man, seated, superimposed on a complex patterned background, signed at lower right corner "Tayler". I have been unable to link this to a known artist, but the painting is quite edgy and advanced, and technically skilled, reminding of the work of known artists who paint in what I imagine might be called the "Contemporary Realism" style. I am reminded a bit of David Hockney...

(ONE OF TWO BY THE SAME ARTIST, THE OTHER WORK SIMILAR----). Oil on board painting of a Native American woman balancing a traditional pot on her head, signed at upper left by artist Lee Willke. The work measures 18" by 14" and 22" by 18" in simple oak frame. The expression on the woman's face is precious; that by itself propels this into the "whimsical" category. The pottery is beautifully observed and note the subtle yet complex background work...

Antique watercolor painting, beautifully executed, the image featuring a wrapped ceramic vessel, old leather-bound books, and a pair of red ornate slippers, the work signed at lower right in pencil "Emily J. Hare 1892". The painting, paper laid on a thin board, measures 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" and 14" by 18" framed. Despite the obvious skill of the artist, the only online references I see to this name are to a woman born circa 1871 in Maine to English and Canadian parentage...

A pair of late 18th or early 19th century portraits, one showing a well dressed gentleman seated at a secretary bookcase, the other of his wife, seated and holding a flower. Painted in oils on canvas, the detailing, especially in the man, is stunning. He is wearing a blue coat, an elaborately ruffled shirt, and a silk waistcoat. The edging and every button on the jacket and waistcoat are beautifully rendered in multiple colors...

A nicely executed large watercolor painting of a vase with lilies and cattails, on a table top with candlestick prop, the entire sheet 27" by 22 1/2" (31" by 27" framed), signed under the mat by listed American artist LONA MILLER KEPLINGER (1876-1956). The work has an Arts and Crafts feeling. Colors are rich and not sun faded. The artist was born in Indiana and is most closely associated with Maryland, where the 1930 census information shows her living in Bethesda...

Oil on canvas painting of an attractive brown-eyed brunette with floppy sun hat protecting her on a summer day, unframed, measuring 24" by 24". There is no signature but the artist was talented. The work is in very good condition, with just a bit of dark foreign matter at left edge as shown, likely removable. The painting would lend a contemporary, lively feel to home, beach house, or dorm room.

*One of two works by the artist in my shop**, this is an oil on board painting of what appears to be a wooden fence in a tawny landscape. The painting measures 11 1/2" by 14 1/2" and 15" by 18 1/2" in early gold framing. The work is signed at lower left. This artist, HALDANE DOUGLAS (1893-1980), was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was in Southern California by the early 1920's...

Large 27" by 33 1/2" (33" by 39" framed), oil on canvas still life cornucopia painting of fruit and flowers including tulips and carnations, in a basket set on a vaguely defined table top against a dark background, apparently unsigned, circa mid 19th century but in the tradition of 17th century Dutch still life. This came recently from a fine area home, where it was proudly displayed in the living room. I do not see a signature...

Oil on masonite painting of grapes, apples and pitcher/plate on a table top, 16" by 20" (20" by 24" in oak frame), signed at lower right and again on reverse in pencil by California artist Marion Ellison (1898-1997). Ellison was a Midwesterner who moved to Southern California, becoming involved there in the art scene...

Very antique drawing of a building, maybe a hotel/drinking establishment combination, large for its time and place, dominating a street scene filled with a number of tiny yet interesting figures, including a drummer at right; two horses; and even a dog. This work, apparently unsigned, measures 9 1/4" by 13 3/8". The artist used a soft paper and some kind of gouache or tempera, which allowed him to show fine detail, as well as a light pastel touch in the sky...

I thought this at first a print, the detail is so life-like and convincing, but closer examination revealed that it is indeed an original drawn work on paper, measuring 9 1/2" by 7" (15" by 13" framed). The artist must have had tremendous patience, or lots of time on his or her hands, to have created each leaf and flower. The work probably dates to the 19th century...

An impressionistic andscape painting of a cottage by a pond in the spring, circa 1960's or 1970's, a flowering tree providing color as geese enter a pond. The unframed work measures 16" by 20" and is signed at lower right by artist KAROLY SINKA (1934-) The style is very reminiscent of Hungarian painter Laszlo Neogrady (1896-1962) and also of Hungarian painter Dande (1911-)...

A very beautiful, elegant landscape painting of a somber, late autumn day in the Northeast, probably Connecticut, 14" by 26" (19 1/2" by 31 1/2" framed), signed at lower left by the quite well regarded American artist WILLIAM MERRITT POST (1856-1935). The scene is of a small brook running in a boggy meadow area, scattered trees either bare of their leaves or about to lose them in the growing autumn chill. Colors used are somber and respectful of the season portrayed. Post was strongly influen...

Oil on canvas painting, unframed, 15" by 23", the subject a traditional farmhouse in spring, surrounded by trees in pink and white blooms, the season's clouds billowing in the sky, and chickens pecking in the yard, apparently fed by a lone figure, at center. The painting is signed at lower left Louis Soonius. I am offering the painting on its decorative merits only as I do not believe it to be by the noted Dutch artist Louis Soonius (1883-1956). (Soonius was a Hague School painter known for hi...

Oil on canvas painting of vegetation and a structure in center, subdued elegant grays predominating, in a surprisingly modern style for the year in which it was painted, 1924. The artist signed at lower right, near the date, "Sanita" or a close variant. The area around the signature being very dry and "blanched", I moistened the area in order to make it easier to photograph the signature and date. Very surprisingly I have been unable to attach the work to a listed artist. The work, 30" by 23...

Pastel on paper drawing of a dramatic cliff likely somewhere in southern Utah's red rock geological wonderlands, 17 1/2" by 22" (23 1/2" by 29 1/2" in original metal framing), signed at lower center in pencil and inscribed there "Utah 1969". Despite numerous efforts I have been unable to decipher the signature though I suspect it to be by a listed or recognized artist. The drawing shows it was created by a talented hand, and the rich colors make for a most attractive landscape work. The drawi...

A pastel drawing titled on label "Gentle Current", 1998, featuring a western river at sunset, the clouds reflecting the colors of last light. The work measures 12" by 8" (23 1/2" by 19 1/2" in silvery framing). The artist, BRUCE PARK (1955-) is a resident of Bozeman, Montana. He attended Humboldt State University at Arcata, California, and the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1979. He subsequently earned a Master of Fine Arts ...

A beautifully executed original watercolor painting of Sacre Coeur church and surrounding street in Montmartre district of Paris, titled at lower right "Paris Place St. Pierre" and signed at lower left by artist "G. Meraut". There does not seem to be information on this artist but the talent is obvious. Certainly he or she was familiar with Maurice Utrillo and his famous renderings of this special part of Paris. The work measures 10 1/2" by 15 1/2" inside the mat and 19" by 24" in wood frame ...