I can't read this artist's name, can you? 3 canvases over wood frame

I imagine these will be gone from the store, but even if so, I would like to know if anyone recognizes this artist's signature. There are 3 paintings unframed, canvas stretched over wood, that go together. Thank you.

 

Look decorative to me.

 

How can you tell the difference between a decorative piece and a legitimate painting?

 

They appear to be decorative to my eye too. The type of thing sold in HOME GOODS, for example. Minimum effort/maximum impact.

Debora

 

Or maybe by Overstock. I think this may be similar.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Gard...anvas-Art-Set-of-3-Multi/4082140/product.html

 

Very.

Debora

 

I think it is a swear word, with that exclamation mark.

 

It's a look though, decorative, my kids would like it.

 

Oh....about 20 years of experience looking at and handling fine works of art......and couch art that ends up at the thrift store...

 

I've only recently begun collecting paintings, and I'm still in the process of learning to distinguish between the factory art (couch art, decorative art) and actual art.

I bought a 5$ painting yesterday because I liked the color palette, but I'm thinking it might just be factory art.

Could you tell me what you see when you look at my painting? (It doesn't matter to me if the painting is bad, I'm just trying to learn).

 

The frame provides a clue. It appears to be modern which would lead one to believe yours is a reproduction of an older work. (Of course, I could be wrong; paintings can get reframed in their lifetimes.) Other clues are provided by the back. That's why it's always helpful to post a photograph of the back including frame. Some characteristics of factory art are: 1) they often appear to be have been painted in haste and 2) they don't appear to have been painted from nature which will gives them a strangely inert feeling. If you haven't already done a Google Image search with your painting, I suggest you do so. Coming up with a match is one way of identifying it as a reproduction.

Debora

 

it takes study...and time..
but an observation...
the sun is coming thru the clouds....u can see it on the side of the hill and the ground......so why are the trees one solid color with no shading from the light..

and ...the work itself....while nice.....seems muddy and not crisp ...

 

Could be "dunes" by Jan van Goyen?

(Image below is the back of my factory art hahaha, because of the lack of lighting you can't see it, but on the frame are written a bunch of numbers).

 

Yeah it is a bit muddy, but not printed. As far as I can tell there is no varnish on it. Is that another sign of factory art?

I wasn't sure what to make of it, because I also read that you should wait 6 to 12 months before putting on the first layer of varnish. I do think a layer of 50/50 shiny/matt varnish would make the colors come out. But if it's factory art, it would be silly to put varnish on it. Since I only paid 5$ for it, the varnish would be worth more than the painting itself hahaha.

Do you like this painting better? (lol I feel like a kid showing a drawing to an adult, I like them, but clearly they are not up to the standard).



It's not a print, and in real life it's more white and colorful. It is signed and you can see the indenting of the pencil onto the canvas.

 

Canvas? It looks like a watercolor in which case it should be on paper. Sweet. That palette was popular in the 1980s so could date to then. Artist more assured with floral than architectural so suspect the work of a Sunday painter.

Debora

 

Oh yeah, that does make sense. I didn't even think about that. I just looked at it, saw some kind of weaving texture on the image and assumed it was a canvas.

Definitely a Sunday painter, there is no information about this person. Still, I like the idea of buying something someone put effort into, like buying a piece of someone haha.. ok well that sounds weird, but something like that anyway.

What shows great skill in a water painting? Is it the same like with oil paintings? (Sky, water, hands, feet, face).

 

@komokwa
@Debora

Thank you for replying to the questions I had. I learned new things thanks to you two

 

Thank you. Glad I didn't get them, although I was tempted.

 

Great skill is demonstrated by the whole, not the bits. But in the case of the watercolor, such an interesting composition the artist is a bit unsure on 3-point perspective.

Debora