A circa 1910 watercolor painting of a blue-eyed young girl wearing a light yellow dress, a bow in her red-blonde hair, signed at lower right by Scottish-born, American artist JESSIE FISKEN (1860-1935). Fisken was born in Helensburg, Scotland and came to America with her parents and five siblings in 1888, apparently to the Seattle area (the way paved by her father's brother). By 1890 she was already listed as an artist. Portraits and miniatures are known by her hand...

A PAIR of very early works (each dated 1889, when the artist would have been in only his mid twenties), each 9 1/2" by 14" (15 1/2" by 19" framed) signed at lower right by Northern California artist JULES MERSFELDER (1865-1937). The pair features coastal scenes of boats off of a coast and several small beached boats with tiny figures. Mersfelder was born in Stockton, east of San Francisco and a gateway to the gold fields...

Original watercolor and ink drawing of a tropical orchid species, 20" by 16 1/2" (24" by 20" in mid 20th century simple framing), the botanical name Onsidium luxidum at lower right in pencil. A window in the reverse backing shows, written on a small piece of paper in brown ink in flowing early hand, "From Nature by T. Allport/Enville Hall April 1834." Enville Hall is today a classic English country estate and manor house in Staffordshire, in west-central England...

Watercolor on paper painting of a scene in old historical Saint Augustine, Florida, 4 5/8" by 6 1/2" (9 1/2" by 11 1/2" framed) titled on reverse in another hand "Fatio House", and signed at lower left corner by the listed American artist ROY C. CLARK (1889-1956). Clark was born in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, and died in Washington, D.C. Evidently he traveled widely, having studied with W. L...

A drawing with ink, pencil, watercolor and gouache on laid paper depicting a harbor scene very much in the manner of the French artist Claude Vernet (1714-1789). Perhaps there is a print source for this drawing. The work is signed in the lower right, “Tho. Ryves. 1770.” The most likely artist is either the father Thomas Ryves (1721-1788) or his son Thomas (born 1753) from the distinguished Dorset, England family...

This appears to be an original painting on silk, circa 1960's or 1970's, 15" by 17 1/4" framed, Chinese calligraphy and red seal at left. I say "appears" because there is a Windsor Art Products label on the reverse, suggesting this would be a print or multiple of some type. Having examined it very closely, however, it does still look to me like original work, and not a silkscreen. I believe that original work was sold by Windsor, it having paid artists to create art in bulk...

Circa 1960's drip painting on paper, 22 1/2" by 18", unsigned, mounted to a thin board. This is not a Jackson Pollock or Sam Francis, but it is a work of art and it has age. The thin paper is glued down at least at the edges and possibly in the center as well. The paper is browned where it has been under the mat for many years, (about 1 3/4" to about 1/2") and there is puckering where the paper has been glued...

A pretty watercolor of a lakeshore, titled on backing "Reservoir Cristaline/France", signed at lower right illegibly and dated 1959. The work measures 12" by 15 1/4" inside the mat and 21" by 24" in a gold frame. The signature reads something like "B N Fleur" or "Fleury" but to date despite considerable efforts in that direction, I have not been able to identify the obviously talented artist. Watercolor is in excellent condition, frame has wear, especially on bottom and right sides...

A detailed watercolor over ink and slight highlighting with gum Arabic of a man with a donkey loaded with two conical panniers of fresh vegetables approaching a man working at a board over a large cask of water with a stand of fresh vegetables behind him. The man with the donkey is probably from the country and trying to sell his produce to the stall owner. The page is roughly 12 7/8 x 16 5/8 inches (33 x 42 cm). The opening for the image is 11 ¼ x 14 ¼ inches (28.5 x 36 cm)...

A watercolor on paper of a fruit seller’s stall or shop with a display of many different fruits while the merchant weighs fruit for two children, a woman turns away with figs in her basket and a young man in the shadows of the awning looks out, perhaps at the young woman with the figs. The watercolor shows touches of gouache and a few places the dark heightened with gum arabic...

An impressionist work, possibly mixed media on paper or board, the scene a birds-eye view of a house on steep hillside surrounded by pink-blooming trees, a view to a plain beyond. The painting, 7" by 9 3/4" (14 3/4" by 17 3/4" framed) is signed at lower left by the noted Utah artist KIRK RANDLE (1952-). Randle, a Utah native, received a Presidential Scholarship in 1971, which he used to further his studies at The University of Utah. He maintains a studio at his home in Bountiful, Utah. The art...

A beautiful, accomplished watercolor landscape painting of a gully with running water, 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" (19" by 22 1/2" in early 20th century gold frame), signed at lower left by the noted California art pioneer WILLIAM LEES JUDSON (1842-1928). The work is in unusually fresh condition, the colors true and not faded. I note a small, obviously very old water drop at extreme upper right, where the tree line meets the right edge. Viewing out of the frame revealed no further information such as ...

An American contemporary theorem still life painting in the traditional 19th century familiar style, signed by artist Esther M. Attridge and dated on reverse framing paper 1973. The work measures 10 1/2" by 13 1/2" and about 12 1/2" by 15 1/2" in the gold framing. Some contemporary artists have made names for themselves by copying the old American folk art theorem style. Similar works by one latter-day artist named David Ellinger are highly sought after and are auctioned. A pleasing work fo...

Brooks Pettus (1918-2003) was a noted western American artist who passed away in Kennewick, Washington, leaving behind a large body of work in watercolor and oil that only recently appeared on the market. Pettus earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico, and spent time in Albuquerque and Taos in the early 1940's. New Mexico's artistically inspiring landscape stimulated Pettus' aesthetic sense as it has for countless others. Even though he became a professional engineer, mo...

PAIR of watercolor paintings of young women, one walking on a path, appearing very young, sweet and naive, a pitcher in hand (possibly a milk maid), the other a more sophisticated lady in a sun bonnet and elegant dress, watering can in hand, attending to her potted geraniums. Although the works themselves are of the same size, and frames are identical in style, the frames differ slightly in size. The lady in bonnet measures 12" by 7 3/4" (19 1/2" by 15 1/2" framed), the other, 12 1/4" by 7 3/4...

Watercolor on heavy, pebbled paper, 8 7/8" by 6 1/2" (13 1/4" by 11" in simple framing), signed at lower right and dated there 1830 by the listed French artist JOSEPH FRICERO (1807-1870). The subject is a young, bearded man who appears almost as a religious figure. The drawing is heavily foxed in the field, adding to its antiquity. Some words are written in French on the reverse but the only one I can decipher is "bois" (wood). For a long time I had thought this possibly an Old Master drawin...

A watercolor with white gouache of a barn and another structure on an overcast, gray, snowy day, an old buckboard wagon at right center, the work signed below the mat GENE R DREW. I do not see a listing for the artist, who likely painted this around the year 1970 judging from the framing and non-glare type glass (which will be discarded before shipping). The piece, on Crescent art board, measures 18 3/4" by 25" inside the mat, and 25" by 31" in worn dark oak framing. The scene is poetic and p...

Three small watercolor paintings of classic scenes of Japan, two signed by artist "Kyo" or similar, each measuring 6 1/4" by 2 7/8". The three are mounted together and framed as one (measuring 13" by 20 1/2"). One painting is of a peaceful village scene; one of a small platform with lanterns; and one of a torii gate. These likely date to the early years of the 20th century. Condition is excellent. The frame has some beading loss, especially at lower left. I have one of the missing pieces ...

Old (pre 1920, possibly as early as late 19th century) watercolor of coastal rocks, 10" by 14", the frame in which found measuring 18 1/2" by 22", signed at lower right "T. G. Stowers". The work, found in New England, was mounted on an old board years ago. As it was loose in the frame, I have removed it for photography, and will ship it between boards. The old frame has some losses and is available at no extra cost. Research to date has not led to a listed artist name that would correspond. ...

Contemporary watercolor painting of a sun-filled, arid landscape with eucalyptus, spiky yucca-like plants, and a lizard (Australian goanna?) in the foreground, the painting signed at lower right "Meg Hocking". The piece is likely from Australia, as the goanna and eucalyptus would suggest. An internet search does not turn up an artist by this name but obviously she knew watercolor painting. The work, unframed (is matted, though) measures 13 3/4" by 9 7/8" inside the mat. Place a frame around ...

Large, impressive watercolor painting of mountain laurel shrub and its delicate blossoms (the state flower of Connecticut, growing naturally in the wild, especially at higher elevations, and blooming in the month of May), 19" by 28 1/2" (27 1/2" by 35 1/2" framed), signed at lower right and dated there 1890, by the well listed Massachusetts artist RICHARD ANDREW (1869-1956). Andrew was born in Belfast, (Northern) Ireland and died in Gloucester, Massachusetts. After receiving a fine art educati...

Watercolor painting of docked small boats and their rigging, 13" by 9 1/2", 20 1/2" by 17 3/4" framed (no glass), signed at lower left by the artist, A. Romanet (ANDRE ROMANET, 20th century French). The talented watercolorist seems to have worked in the south of France on the Riviera before the war, there being watercolors of Saint-Tropez and Saint-Raphael. Colors are bright and condition is very good overall; I note a tiny puncture in sky at upper left, but it is tiny. You will need to re-ma...

Circa 1900 watercolor of the heart of Venice, Italy, including the familiar sights of canal and gondola, St. Mark's Basilica church and the famous clock tower on the Piazza San Marco, signed at lower left "E.K. Coomber". This work measures 12" by 6 1/4" inside the mat and 18 1/2" by 12" framed. The artist though apparently unknown was talented and a master of the watercolor medium. The artwork is clean, although the photos suggest otherwise; there is foxing and soil on the inside of the glass...

Circa 1960's watercolor painting of a snowy street in New England, a white church at left and bare elm trees framing the scene at right, signed at lower right corner by artist William Carpenter. I do not see a listing that would seem to fit but the artist obviously was talented in the watercolor medium. Condition is very clean. All images were taken through detail-dulling non-glare glass of the period. Measurements 10 1/4" by 11 1/2" (16" by 17" framed).

Watercolor painting of flowers in a vase on a tabletop, 16" by 18 1/2" (20" by 22" framed), signed at lower left corner by noted artist GUY DE BOUTHILLIER. The artist, born in France in 1893 to a French political minister, is said to have studied with Monet, Picasso, and John Singer Sargent (see printed label on reverse, with short biography, from the old Beverly Hills-based Martin Lowitz Gallery). He was in Southern California by 1932, exhibiting that year at the Hatfield Gallery in Los Angel...

Watercolor on paper painting of a lovely young woman in turn of the century Italy, likely Venice, 13" by 10 1/4" inside the mat, 21" by 17 1/2" in pleasing coppery gold frame, signed at lower right by artist D. G. ANGIOLINI. The artist is obviously highly skilled. Paintings by this D. G. Angiolini generally feature genre scenes of Venice, or views of Venice. At least one online offering of a painting thus signed suggests that this is a pseudonym for highly important Italian 19th century artis...

A PAIR of highly realistic, detailed watercolor paintings one of pears, one of peaches, the peaches 10" by 14", (18" by 21" as framed), the pears 9 1/2" by 15 1/2", (16 3/4" by 22 1/4" framed), both in blond wood frames, behind Plexiglas, both signed in gold paint by Los Angeles area contemporary artist GRACE SWANSON. An online biography reveals that the artist displayed talent while still a youngster; she went on to degrees in art from Loyola Marymount College in Los Angeles. In 2010 an exhi...

Watercolor painting of a young ballerina-like ice skater on a frozen pond, 9" by 12 1/2" (17 1/4" by 20 1/4" framed), signed in red at lower left by gallery artist Craig Smith. There seems to be little internet information on the artist, though another work in my shop by him, an oil, comes with a business card showing that he exhibited at a Carmel, California gallery in the mid 1980's. The present work seems to pre-date that by a number of years----perhaps circa 1950's or 1960's. The artist p...

Watercolor painting of a stand of leafless trees in late autumn, a small stream flowing through, 11" by 8" framed, apparently unsigned. I would imagine this dates to the 1920's or 1930's most likely. I did open up the backing and could find neither signature nor any other information, though I feel the work quite likely by a listed artist. I purchased the painting in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Condition is excellent. The frame has a rustic Adirondacks feeling to it, with a suggestion of sa...

Fine old marine art drawing, in compromised condition, as found in Rhode Island, unframed, 13" by 19 1/2", signed at lower left corner "F R Smith". This is almost certainly by late 19th century American artist F. ROLLIN SMITH, who painted watercolors and oils of marine scenes. Little seems to be known of the artist but works do appear at auction. This drawing is a survivor, found in a portfolio of drawings in Providence, Rhode Island. It likely dates to the late 1870's or the 1880's; many of ...

A large watercolor painting, apparently unsigned, 20 1/2" by 28 1/2" (52 cm. by 72 cm.) and 27 1/2" by 36" framed. The antique work has been laid on a thin card, earlier in the 20th century, so if there was information on the recto it is hidden. The fascinating scene contains at least 20 figures going about their business, two horses, numerous boats, and windmills in the distance, and carefully rendered architectural facades. The artist must certainly be someone known. I sent photos to Chr...

An original watercolor drawing of a familiar California theme: surfers at the beach, with lifeguard tower, palms, and two parked classic late 1940's Woodies vehicles. The work is signed at lower left "Dry......" ("Drysbock", or similar?) and measures 4 1/2" by 6 1/2". It comes matted but with no frame and glass. Likely is a contemporary work. Looks like a print but guaranteed to be original work.

Recently acquired from a Southern California German-American family liquidating a household, are twenty-one watercolor paintings by "Uncle Max" (Markus "Max" Hansen, 1898-), featuring mostly Old World landscapes and street scenes, with a few interiors in the mix. Some are framed in wood, some unframed, some have glass, some do not, some are signed, some are not. The artist was talented but is unknown outside of the family. Born in 1898, he lived in Eppertshausen between Frankfurt and Darmstad...

A watercolor painting of a steep hillside with trees, several structures filling the lower portion of the composition, unsigned, 13 1/2" by 10 1/2" (24 3/4" by 20 1/2" in the dark simulated wood framing. The painting does have some age and would likely be by a listed artist. Mat got wet at some point at bottom and will need to be replaced. Art itself is in excellent condition, the colors fresh. There is a water stain on the reverse side of the paper, unrelated to the mat situation; but there...

A pleasing image of what appears to be a colonial church, perhaps in Brazil, or elsewhere in Latin America, or Mediterranean Europe (Portugal?----the architecture of the building suggests Brazil or Portugal) where palm trees grow; the apparently unsigned work, 7 1/2" by 5 1/2" (12" by 10" in gold framing) is, I believe, a monotype. That would be something of a hybrid bridging printmaking and drawing---a unique work made by the artist pressing paper against a glass or other surface on which the ...

Late 19th century watercolor painting of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, an historical church forming the backdrop to a scene still iconic today. The painting is signed at lower left "Conti"; it is possible it is a work of the listed artist Tito Conti (1842-1924) but I cannot say for certain that he was the artist. The piece, which measures 12 3/4" by 8 3/4" inside the mat, and 22 1/2" by 18" as framed. Note the exceptionally fine detail throughout; the traditional clothing of the foreground ...