A circa turn of the century oil on canvas painting of a creek and surrounding woods in the autumn of the year, 11 1/2" by 22 1/2", on canvas, and 17 1/2" by 29" in likely original frame, apparently unsigned. The work has survived over a century in excellent condition. No punctures or problems. There are a few chips missing from the frame. A pleasing, easy to live with scene that brings a sense of calm and reflection.

A vintage (mid century) watercolor painting of a very old stone church in Central America or Mexico, signed at lower left "Gil". The work is very nicely painted by an obviously talented watercolorist. Note the tiny figures in the composition, and the bright spots of color contrasting with the creamy stone of this circa sixteenth or seventeenth century church. Most likely this would be in Guatemala or one of the nearby countries, or in southern Mexico...

An oil on canvas painting, 18" by 14", unframed, the scene a sunny urban slice of life, a bridge arching over a canal with light standards and buildings and trees as the sunlight sparkles on the water. The place could be Venice, California, or perhaps Newport Beach. The painting is signed in light purple at lower left with conjoined initials "MZ", which bring to mind the noted California artist Milford Zornes (1908-2008)...

An interesting contemporary painting of a middle-aged man sitting on a stool in a homey, cozy interior, a fireplace, paned window and painting set off by orange pastel colored walls. The unsigned work, by a trained hand, reminds of some of the interior paintings with figures by David Hockney. The oil on canvas, unframed, measures 30" by 24". It is in excellent condition. A silvery, or simple blond wood strip frame might be complementary.

A circa 1920 painting of a waterfall emerging from a steep cliff above a gorge, signed at lower right by artist S. P. Christesen. I do not see a listing for an artist by this name, or Christensen, but clearly he/she was talented. The scene would appear to be western American, though I recently viewed photos of the noted Montmorency Falls in Quebec, Canada, and there is a strong resemblance to this scene...

Oil on board painting of old houses in an American town, 12" by 16" (15" by 19" framed), the auto in the scene suggesting a circa 1930 date, unsigned, housed in an old 19th century Victorian style frame with patterned gold inner fillet. The work suggests to me the famous watercolor art of American artist Charles Burchfield, or at least other painters of the "American Scene" and WPA period. The work has been subjected to water which has left a pattern of water drops over the surface...

Gouache on paper landscape drawing, 14" by 21" (27" by 33 1/2" framed), signed somewhat illegibly in the lower right corner in pencil and dated there "43", the subject a small village on the shore of a lake or ocean. The scene, including small white church steeple, reminds me vaguely of the quaint coastal tourist town of Mendocino north of San Francisco. There is no hint as to where the subject is, so, we will just have to guess. The signature might be "Pien" or "Pian" or similar...

A Southwest watercolor on paper painting of fanciful characterizations of a Latino heritage boy and girl, signed at lower right by noted Tucson, Arizona artist GERRY PEIRCE (1900-1969). The work, which measures 14" by 20" (20" by 26" framed) reminds ever so slightly of works by Southwestern noted artist Ted DeGrazia, who Peirce would have no doubt known. Peirce is likely best known for his delicate etchings, but he also painted landscapes and other subject matter...

An oil on canvas painting of garden flowers in a glass vase in an interior near a window, not signed on the front but on reverse stretcher is written in pencil "Rena Patterson" and a phone number with Southern California area code. This is a work of contemporary artist RENA PATTERSON, presently of Malibu, CA but previously a resident of many states from coast to coast...

Oil or acrylic on board, large and impressive wall-filling size at 33 1/2" by 45" (41 1/2" by 53" as framed), in a very contemporary style incorporating the complex geometric small squares repeating patterns of artist Robert Natkin, with the addition of various swirls and carefully placed parallel lines. The artist was surely familiar with Natkin's work...

Etching on paper, the sheet 6 3/4" by 9", 12 1/4" by 14 1/2" framed, the subject a group of children floating playfully on a makeshift raft, pencil signed at lower right by noted English artist and illustrator, author and poet EILEEN SOPER (1905-1990). The work is titled, I believe, "Voyage of Discovery". Eileen was the daughter of artist George Soper. By 1920 she had submitted work to the Print Makers of California, and it was chosen for exhibition...

This is a superb charcoal on paper drawing laid to an old board, signed at upper right (look carefully to find it, in the final photo) Ernest W. Scanes. The paper measures 17" by 22". I would date the work to the 1930's or 1940's, judging from the excellent WPA regionalism style. Indeed, this greatly resembles a number of "AAA" (Associated American Artists) lithograph prints of the period...

Oil on canvasboard panel painting, 16" by 20" (21 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed) featuring the iconic towering monoliths of Monument Valley, Arizona, with mounted cowboys and Conestoga wagon adding a human touch to the scene, signed at lower right by Southern California artist Billie van Bogart. The work probably dates to the 1960's or early 1970's at latest. Would add a very decorative touch to your Southwest interior...

A small unframed oil on Masonite painting, 8" by 10", signed at lower left indecipherably, the work a fantasy landscape painted very much in the style of acclaimed California artist Eyvind Earle (1916-2000). The neon green sunlit strip, the surreal shadows cast by rocks there, the bare tree, the hillside, all are reminiscent of Earle's work. A silvery frame might work on this. Surface is a bit dusty, and heavily varnished. There are some very light drips of something at right center.

Oil on canvas winter landscape painting in an impressionist hand, a snow-covered road leading to a cluster of houses in the distance, 16" by 20", unframed, signed at lower right by listed American woman artist CHARLOTTE LIVINGSTON (1898-1991). The painting captures the quiet solitude in early winter after the first snow (a lot of autumn color remaining suggests the winter season is not all that far advanced). Livingston was born in New York and studied at the National Academy and the Art Stude...

Oil on canvas painting of a desert landscape, 18" by 24" (27" by 34" framed), signed at lower right by the listed California painter AILEEN POWERS STEPHENS (1889-1982). The artist also dedicated it to her daughter Helen, in July 1978, on the occasion of the latter's birthday, in an inscription on the reverse. Stephens was born in Kansas into an artistic family. She was related to the important 19th century American sculptor Hiram Powers. Stephens studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and w...

PAIR of framed Chinese or Japanese landscape watercolor paintings in traditional style, each featuring a mountain landscape, a small river in one and a waterfall in the other running into the lake or ocean. Blue-roofed buildings pine trees add to the beauty of the scenes. Each has a red chop mark and some calligraphy at lower right, presumably the name of the artist. Measurements 12 3/4" by 9 3/4" each (23 1/4" by 15 1/2" framed).

Pastel on paper, 10 1/2" by 23 1/2" and 2" inch wide very attractive and complementary oak Arts and Crafts appearance wood frame, unsigned, the subject bananas, peaches, and a basket, circa 1920. This is a typical example of the early 20th century American pastel school. Reaching back to artists who created pastels late in the 19th century, pastel artists like William Joseph Chandler, Glatthaar, and others created works for homes that would exhibit more quality than mere reproductions. Excell...