MEDIA: Chinese brush painting TITLE: Playing cats SIZE: 17 ½ inches x 18 inches ARTIST: Chen Liang is a talented artist who is currently the chairman of the Literature and Arts Cooperative in Fudu, Heilongjiang Province. He specializes in detailed landscapes and pictures of flowers, birds and animals. He also uses the sobriquets Quan and Bi Guang. He has exhibited in the former Soviet Union, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

A French oil on canvas painting of a flirting couple, the male dressed as a pierrot clown, she in an elegant ornate dress, the work signed at lower left with what appears as "Jos. Bellet". The work could possibly be by JEAN PIERRE JOSEPH ALFRED BELLET DU POISAT (1823-1883), but further research may be required to confirm the artist. Measurements are 13" by 9 3/4" (20 1/2" by 16 3/4" in old gold frame)...

A vintage mid century oil on board or oil on canvasboard painting of a dirt track in the Arizona desert, the landscape filled with the classic saguaro cacti, and at right a yellow flowering tree, causing the painting to be titled "Lluvia de Oro Tree" ("Shower of Gold") on the backing paper, where the artist, LOUIS ELMORE SMITH, also dated it April 1961. He signed it on the lower right corner. Painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition...

A black ink on paper drawing , unframed, 19 1/2" by 16 1/2", signed at lower right with the "F.M." initials of noted American artist, muralist and illustrator FLETCHER MARTIN (1904-1979). The subject is a cavalier-type man and a woman in 18th century dress. This might have been executed as illustration of a published story or book, or perhaps as stage design. There is some white gouache at upper right...

Richly impressionistic painting on canvas of a small pond surrounded by autumn foliage, 9" by 12" (16" by 19" framed), signed at lower right by contemporary California-based artist RON McKEE (1931-) and dedicated on the stretcher and dated there 1987. McKee is a popular impressionist, his body of work including landscape, coastals, floral gardens and European Mediterranean ports. This work is fresh and clean and absolutely wall-ready in its gold framing...

20th Century American School 1900-1999 American Artists This is an original watercolor and gouache painting, artist unknown, most likely American circa 1930. The image of what appears to be a writer or Poet giving a talk in a park setting. The image measures 8 1/4X5 1/4 inches. Nicely framed with archival materials. This work, done on a blue toned paper is in very nice condition, clean and bright.

Colorful watercolor on paper of a ceramic figure with copper pot and summer fruit, measuring 6 1/2" by 5 7/8" (13" by 12 3/4" as framed, no glass), likely the work of noted American artist FREDERIC GRANT (1886-1959). The work is apparently unsigned, but, on the original framing paper appears in a modern hand "BY FREDERICK GRANT"; originally there was also an old framer's sticker from Chicago but it has apparently dropped off since I purchased this...

Highly impressionistic watercolor painting of a small boat in a foggy harbor, 14" by 20", unframed, signed at lower left by the listed American artist JOSEPH MARGULIES (1896-1984). Margulies was born in Vienna and by the 1920's was studying art in New York at the Art Students League, one of his instructors being Joseph Pennell. He also received training at the National Academy, Cooper Union, and in Europe...

Watercolor on paper of a large ship at the dock, 13 1/2" by 17 1/4" (21" by 26" framed), signed in the image at lower left and also on the mat at lower right "Herbert Manasse", and titled "ENSENADA 'L.'C.I." on the mat at lower left. The artist is HERBERT MANASSE (1891-1965), who according to the AskArt listing was an artistically talented attorney. He was obviously quite familiar with the medium. Note the wet-on-wet technique in the sky...

Unframed oil on canvas laid on Masonite painting of a desert scene in California, high rugged mountains in the background, measuring 12" by 16", signed at lower left by listed California artist WILLIAM P. KREHM (1901-1968). The tawny scene is very understated and pleasing, with shades of tan and brown interspersed with violet in the mountains. Krehm was born in Kansas City...

Oil on canvas painting titled at lower left "Morn. nr. Frinsbury Kent", signed at lower right "Alf. Bennett 87" (and titled again and signed again by the artist on the reverse canvas), 20" by 30" (27" by 36" as framed). The scene feature a filled hay barge at left with two figures aboard, two houses in the middle distance, and tall ships in the far distance. Frinsbury is in southeastern England, east south east of London, not far from the mouth of the River Thames...

Impressionist oil on canvas painting of the famous beach at Laguna Beach, California, signed at lower left by the well-listed Russian-born artist who made his home in the Southwest, CONSTANTINE CHERKAS (1919-2011). The work measures 18" by 24" (25" by 31" framed). Cherkas was born in Moscow and showed unusual early talent. He studied there and later in Vienna and Munich, his life disrupted by World War II, during which he was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a camp...

Framed Size: 27 W" H x 33" L x 1 1/2” Thick
The size of Image: 25 1/2" H x 31 1/2” L
Artist: H...

ONE OF TWO BY THE SAME ARTIST IN MY SHOP, IDENTICAL SIZE AND FRAMING, oil on board, 18" by 14" (22" by 18" framed), signed at upper right "LEE WILLKE". This work shows a Plains Indian with full roach and faintly mischievous smile. The complex surface is heavily worked. Both of these whimsical works likely date to about the 1950's, and were found at the same location in Maine. I have not been able to locate an artist of this name. I would prefer to sell them as a pair. Please contact me abo...

A hand-painted oil on canvas of two ladies in elegant 19th century garb chatting in an intimate sun-dappled small garden, 16" by 12" (23" by 19 1/2" in dark red simulated wood frame), unsigned. The contemporary work is painted in the style of the grand French impressionist masters of the later 19th century, such as Renoir. This is a highly decorative work in excellent condition. There is a small area of loss on the frame at lower right; you can fill/color it in yourself, or find a new (easy, ...

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...

Watercolor painting on heavy watercolor paper, 21" by 30" (32" by 40" framed), the subject a lake bordered by trees and low mountains, on a cloudy day, waterfowl taking wing at right, signed TRICIA KINNEY. This is a quality large size work in excellent condition. I do not see a listing for an artist by this name at the moment. The painting is nicely framed and is behind Plexiglas for easier, safer shipping. It needs to be re-mounted as it is slipping around behind the mat. Would make a ni...

Oil on canvas painting, 20" by 28" (24" by 32" framed), the subject a great clipper ship of the 19th century silhouetted against the setting sun (or dawn) on a calm sea. The painting is signed at lower left by the artist, William P. Lawrence and is dated below that either 1938 or 1928; difficult to discern. I don't see that he is a listed artist but obviously he was talented. The scene has a fine luminosity and clearly shows the painter's understanding of light and backlighting. CONDITION: ...