Featured Thrift store art....

There were only 30,000 people in Portland, Maine in the mid-Victorian period. Why don't you contact a local historical society to see if they can be helpful?

Debora

 

This is one of the recent things,that I like the most. From a home clearance. Apparently the owner of the house was the artist. In the one cupboard there were several sketches.Very 80’s? Great Penguin/Batman look.

 

Very Jack Nicholson-esque. Caricature sketches were popular for a while in the 50s. It was probably professionally done at a resort somewhere.

 

Was thinking The Penguin (Danny de Vito in Batman)

 

I didn’t see the other sketches from the house. But the guy from the auction house/secondhand store said that there were several sketches (mostly unframed) in a cupboard.

 

Haven't been finding too much. These are all finds since my last posting in April. Can't believe it has been that long.

This small pastel of an owl has a quirky look to it. Looks like the signature reads Roseen (?). Couldn't pass it by for $2.00.



As indicated on the back, these two paintings were sold to different people on the same day in 1950. It was later indicated that they were sold to one person in the 70s (written on a Tupperware label of all things). Maybe I should write my info on the back as well? One is signed, Sellers. Clearly by the same hand. I have not been able to attribute them. Medium in size. Bought for $3.00 each.




This large watercolor is by local artist Shoshanna Bauer. I find it on the internet available as prints for more money than this originally cost. In deference to the artist, I am not going to say what I paid for it....

 

This medium watercolor is signed D. Bestor '61. I find another watercolor by a Dorothy Bestor also from the 60s. Can find no other information. Bought for $4.00.


This is paper cut-work in different colored papers and layered. No signature. Medium size. Bought for $6.00.


This small watercolor has a nice loose modernist feel. Unsigned. Thought this might be a print of a known work, as it has a familiar feel to it. Could not find anything. I have not examined it out of the frame as of yet but I am pretty sure it is a genuine watercolor. Bought for $3.00.

 

The internet says the paper cut-work is folk art from Poland, Łowicz specifically.

https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2023/10/paper-cutting-in-owicz.html

Debora

 

Like the little watercolor. Looks mid-century, older than the frame.

Debora

 

I like the little owl too, for no known reason. The Jewish art is definitely Jewish art. Someone who's Hasid probably wouldn't hang it, but most others would.

 

One good find and a couple that are just ho-hum.

This meduim sized kitsch 3-D plastic Last Supper had to come home with me for $3.00.


Medium sized acrylic on board. Signed, Ann James. Haven't found her yet but think it has to be a local or regional artist, given the subject. Bought for $5.00


My best find is this large-ish etching from 1931 by well-listed artist, Luigi Kasimir (1881-1962). Subject is El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I find a few other examples and it is described as a multi-plate color etching. Incredible buy at just $3.00.

 

I like the grain silos....... very Americana

 

Like 'em too. And how appropriately framed.

Debora

 

Now that's Country decorating that I can appreciate.

 

That was my favorite of the group - very cool

 

I liked it when I bought it but now not so sure. Pretty sure it’s art class student work. What do you all think?

 

I'd think a student work. And one reason it looks so funky is it uses a variety of light sources -- from the left, from the right and straight on.

Debora

 

Thanks for comment Debora,was also thinking student work. So different light sources (I will have to do some reading)

 

Easy for the eye to see once you know what to look for. Bottom row, for instance. The light casting a shadow on the orange in left hand corner is coming from the right. The light that brightens the lemon in center left is coming from straight on. And the light on the vase in right hand corner is coming from the left (and a bit forward.) Can't think of any reason to do that unless it was an art class exercise.

Debora

 

...Or, you're painting outside, by sunlight, very, very slowly-- like from dawn til dusk.