Note: The following oil on board was painted in '59 (we presume in 1959; if any readers know for certain please email the blog host at gloves24@hotmail) by the artist solely listed as "De". This painting measures "20 x 24".

The work below is an unmistakable copy of that classic by Degas entitled "Two Ballerinas", the original of which is currently on exhibit at the Courtauld Institute Gallery in London, England. Our research has determined that this original has not recently been on auction by either Sotheby's or Christie's. We would imagine that the auction price would be somewhere between $7.5 to $45 million.

One of America's top current collectors of Impressionistic works is billionaire Steve Wynn, who has been known to spend up to $45 million within a 24 hour period. A few years ago, Mr. Wynn at a chance meeting at the Piano Bar at the Pirate's Cove in Las Vegas, conversed with our blog host J. Henry. After a half hour chat, our blog host found Mr. Wynn to be a very amicable, down to earth individual. He thoroughly enjoyed conversing with this hotel mogul and art savant. If the opportunity arose, he would enjoy continuing the conversation in the future.

- ed.




The above mystery artist has demonstrated, through use of fine brush strokes and blending pastel backgrounds, their ability as an established expert in Impressionistic painting. Starting from the top, we notice in the first two images an incredible similarity to Degas' work with ballerinas. How can work by such an unknown artist look so much like the original ?

The above three images demonstrate the artistic work of early pioneer plein air painter Amy Difley Brown (1896 - 1987). Her paintings grace the Serra Museum in San Diego, and their subject matter was influenced by her horseback travels through the deserts and coastlines of southern California.

Blog host's personal thoughts: Blog host is quite proud to own this original painting, as part of his grandiose art collection.

The painting below closely emulates the work of pioneer woman painter Eliza Rosanna Lamb Barchus (1857 - 1959). Barchus was among the most popular pioneer artists in Oregon, who for unknown reasons moved with her Mormon husband from the mid-west to Portland in the early 1880s.

Early 19th century painting, circa 1840s, from Germany. Oil on board, "18 x 24".

Scrafitto - from the Latin, meaning "to scratch", this exquisite technique is primarily used on expensive Italian wood frames. Here we have a prime example of such a frame; notice the gold leaf scratched into the rouge colored background. (Artist Dan Burgess)

"Mauve Woodlands" - This countryside oil painting exemplifies a style referred to as Pointillism, made famous by George Seurat and Paul Signac.

A countryside pastoral, extreme close-up of a typical Dutch morning of a prior era.

Turquoise and Yellow Boundary - Where curling waves meets backlit sunlight and where clouds gently touch upon surface waves.

Seagulls floating over brown-tipped rocks. Gray mist looming over sandy shore, white foam marking the coastline.

Mysterious seascape painting done by an apparent unsung hero of the art world. Original painting signed solely as "Van."

A lively burst of saturated colors spanning the color wheel from crimson red to emerald green....iridescent sunset on the glistening waves...

A surrealistic tone-poem painting of an ocean sunset.

A close up of translucent green capped waves. No one is seen on this deserted beach. However, as the orange sunset draws to a close, nocturnal creatures (ex: Komodo Dragons) make their scene on nature's stage.

Jaguar! Jaguar! Lurking tight
Perched on branch, prey in sight

- Apologies to Wm. Blake - ed.

Here we are struck by the dynamic potential energy of the muscular jaguar (ready to strike!), against the soft billowy forest background which is so similar to the style of Japanese paintings.

It's a lonely life in the hot steamy jungles of central America for this hermit-type feline.

Close up view of the painting described below.

Nicely executed desert flora original oil painting. Wispy white Palo Verde trees, with shrubs amid quartzite rocks, animals and insects hiding from the blazing mid-day sun.

A tiny gem: Yacht race from Del Mar, California; idyllic sailboats before the storm; boating fans with umbrellas; sailors bracing for inclement weather.

Shades of gray clouds and waves of emerald green, with boating fans scurrying all make for a hectic scene.

Poetry by blog host.

The three images below, of the same original oil painting, depict Rue De Saint-Michel, Paris France, "24 x 36".

Horses, carriages and cars: reflective rain-soaked cobblestone streets, road apples, brisk windy streams of air, yellow shop keeper's store window lights getting us through la tombee de la nuit.

Beatnik poetry by blog host.

An unsigned oil painting with a plethora of color, done in impasto. Our astute readership will recognize this most famous of our national parks: Yosemite.

Zoomed-in middle ground of following work of art.

A "dreamy blue" placid mountainscape. {Oil on canvas skillfully executed by J. Gonzales. - ed.}

Full-scale original panoramic painting (detail seen below) of this rectangular non-standardized European frame size. Like a peacock strutting its feathers, the artist R. Tomanik paints in a stunningly detailed Vibrato style showing off the exquisite colors of the festival. Note: This painting has the feel of Old World Renaissance 15th century works of art by Botticelli and Raphael . - ed.

We have ascertained that this original oil painting by R. Tomanik (estimated to be from the mid-1930s) most likely depicts the Venice Carnival's Parade of Gondolas on the Grand Canal near St. Mark's Square. Note: As seen in the middle ground, the people standing on the dock are at the foot of the Doge's Palace. Seen in the background is the Campanile (Campanile di San Marco), the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy. It was originally erected in 1514 and collapsed in 1907 (Wikipedia claims 1902). - ed.

"Alaska Winter" - A finely wraught example of a palette knife technique by Erline W. Webster, November 1973.

A local lucky find of a Tonalist seascape, original oil painting by listed California artist Drake F. Seaman. Purchased locally by blog host. The provenance posted above lends credence to the belief that the painting was done in Santa Barbara, California in 1970.

A large format original oil on canvas, 24'' x 36'', somewhere on the Arizona desert floor.

A well executed watercolor on board, in our estimation presumed to be painted in plein aire and depicting the West Cornwall Covered Bridge, a.k.a. Hart Bridge, Cornwall, Connecticut. It was built around 1864 and over the Housatonic River.

An untitled original watercolor, artist to be named later, which emulates the work of Winslow Homer's "Gulf Stream" painting, as seen below.