Oil on canvas painting of an extensive mountain landscape, 16" by 20", unsigned, unframed. This is a decorative work that needs a cleaning and a frame. Note how the extreme upper right edge, which had evidently been hidden under a frame, shows the true colors of the work. A regular size, framing this should not be expensive, and it's possible that a careful cleaning to remove the soiling might not have to be done by a professional.

Oil on canvas, 17" by 9" and thin original wood frame, signed lower left "M Stuart", depicting a young woman in greenish gray paint. This is more a work of figural art, really, than mere portrait. The sitter is unknown, as is the artist; there is a listing for a Mimi Stuart (1959-) but I am not convinced this is by that artist. Signature looks as if it could be by a British hand, judging from the style of writing. It is a professional signature, though, and this is not a work by an amateur...

A circa late 1800's or circa 1900 antique painting on gray art board of a lake at sunset, a steep outcropping with ruins at left and a small boat completing the composition, unsigned, by an amateur hand, 13 1/2" by 8 3/4" as framed. The work is in an ornate turn of the century frame with a few missing chips that could be easily painted over in gold. What more is there to say---it is a classic little painting of its era, perfect for a small or narrow wall.

Oil on canvasboard painting of a home and greenery with a high mountain backdrop, signed at lower left faintly "J. F. Gasser" and inscribed on reverse "Original/by Rev. J. F. Gasser/April 1937/La Crescenta Calif". The work measures 12" by 16" (16" by 19 1/2" framed). The artist does not appear to be listed or known but was talented. An early scene in what is today a highly desirable upscale Los Angeles suburb backing up to the scenic Angeles National Forest.

A contemporary painting of the famous Lone Cypress clinging to the rocks along the Seventeen Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula, near Carmel on California's central coast. The oil on canvas, 12" by 16" (14" by 18 1/2" framed) is signed at lower left by artist Florence Antree. The work is clean. I note a small hairline abrasion/puncture in the branches at upper left, largely hidden by the composition. A little appropriately matched watercolor around it would hide the issue completely...

Oil on canvas painting of a tabby cat, 7" by 5" (12" by 10" framed), circa 1970 to 1980 judging from the framing, signed lower right "Jody". The artist was certainly talented; the likeness of the cat to reality is well above average. Condition is excellent. Needs to be nailed more tightly into frame.

Impressionistic oil on board painting of an early 20th century American house, probably in the Midwest as this was framed in Missouri, 11 1/2" by 15 1/2" (14" by 18" framed). The scene is one of tranquility and prosperity. The house would have probably dated to about 1920, but the painting is contemporary. The signature appears as possibly "Ursula Lee". This is ready for the wall.

Large impressionist painting of violet mountains, pond and green meadow with white fence, 24" by 30" (31" by 37" framed), signed at lower left by artist HENRIETTA S. RUDDER, further titled "Mountains" on reverse where there is a label of the 1989 Artists Guild of the Norton Gallery Fifth Annual Exhibition (probably West Palm Beach, Florida), providing the artist's name, and the original price of $500. The painting is created primarily with palette knife, the paint richly and generously applied...

Impressionist small contemporary painting of a knoll in sunlight and shadow, 8" by 10", unframed, unsigned. This is a quickly executed work, almost a sketch in oil, by an anonymous but skilled artist. It is in excellent condition. The regular size would facilitate buying a suitable frame at a modest price.

A primitive, circa 1880's oil on gray board landscape painting in the Hudson River style, with trees, water, and tiny figures completing the view. Measurements are 18 3/4" by 24 1/2", unframed. There is no signature. The board is slightly warped from old moisture exposure, which caused paint instability/flaking/losses at top couple of inches, as shown, and cracking at lower right. There are also a few light abrasions as shown.

An interesting, folky, oil on canvas painting of a house with stone chimney set in a lush open valley, apparently set in Salinas Valley in California, signed by artist Sharon Moree Giambrocco Ebina, who wrote a long story on the back of the canvas. In that story she explains how the painting is inspired by the movie made from the John Steinbeck book "East of Eden". She also touches on the Japanese inspiration she feels, her signature incorporating the Japanese character for "valley"...

Acrylic on canvas contemporary painting of palms, depicted in yellow, pinkish-red and greenish-blue against an electric blue background, 18" by 24", unframed, signed at lower right by the artist, Shannon Casey. This is a nicely decorative, breezy work that will surely add a touch of the tropics to your interior. There are a very few minor spots of soiling or abrasion that hardly detract from the overall effect.

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...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a young girl, in the style of Margaret Keane and the "Big Eyed School" of the period, 24" by 18", unframed. The work is signed, charmingly, at lower right "Grandpa Friedman" and is dated there "64". The board is curved---a bit concave, or convex, as you might put it---but otherwise the painting is in good condition. A nice addition to your mid century Retro collection.

Oil on canvasboard painting of red tulips in a bright yellow vase on a tabletop, two apricots or peaches at lower left, unsigned, in a gold frame in wall-ready condition. This is likely by the hand of a talented amateur painter, but it all "works", with bright attractive colors and a clean overall appearance. The entire work as framed measures 16 1/2" by 13 1/2". See a number of other floral works in my shop.

A small tight little contemporary acrylic or oil on canvas painting for that small wall, 7 7/8" by 7 7/8", unframed, with reverse dedication "For Shell Sam and Mina", and signed there on stretcher by artist Warren Boothby. Condition is excellent. Found in the Pacific Northwest; the style resembles that of the influential, famed artist associated with that area, Mark Tobey.

Old horizontal format landscape, oil on board, featuring trees, a creek or lake, the only sign of man a picket fence near the group of trees at center, signed at lower left "Ferguson". The painting likely dates to about 1925 or 1930. Measurements are 14 1/2" by 25" (19" by 32 1/2" in frame that dates to about 1965). There is stable authentically old "alligatoring" of the paint (a crackling pattern related to how quickly the paint dried)...

In the tradition of Victorian rose paintings of the late 19th and early 20th century, here is an unframed work, canvas laid on board, 11 1/2" by 21 1/2", signed at lower right "IDMAY". The painting likely dates to the early years of the 20th century, a time when young girls were encouraged to take up the "ladylike" skill of flower painting. "IDMAY" might have been Ida Mae----one of these young ladies. Our artist was of average skill, but her handiwork has outlived her...