Frank Bensing

Little Girl and the Conductor

1944

Original advertisement for JAX Beer (Jackson Brewing Company, New Orleans, LA), circa 1940s. In this autumnal scene, a hunting party is enjoying JAX beer at their campsite when a bu...

Medium: Oil on Board Signature: Signed Lower Right Subject matter features pirates watching a ship burn from a distance a small rowboat with a figure returning to the ship after set...

keywords; surrealism, portrait, oil painting, earth tones, figurative painting, strangeness, contemporary surrealistic, unsettling, contemporary figurative painting, dreams, symbolic composition, dream, men , romantic, flesh tones, portrait, earth tones, tonalist, nostalgia, early 20th century, naturalist, illustration, woman, flora, grey art, yellow shoes...

"Lovely Gal" is a charming oil on board painting by Martin Saldaña (1874-1965), a self-taught outsider artist known for his vibrant, whimsical depictions of childhood memories and rural life. This semi-abstract figurative work features a colorful palette of bold hues, with flowers and birds that reflect Saldaña's deep connection to nature and his Mexican heritage. The painting is presented in a custom frame with outer dimensions of 30 ¾ x 25 ⅜ x 1 ⅝ inches, and the image size is 24 ½ x 19 ⅛ inches. About the Artist: Martin Saldaña was born in 1874 at Rancho Neuvo, Mexico, and led a modest life, working as a cook at Denver's iconic Brown Palace Hotel. At the age of 76, Saldaña began attending children’s art classes at the Denver Art Museum, sparking a late-blooming artistic career. Over the next 15 years, he vividly captured memories of his childhood in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, focusing on ranch life, landscapes, and his love for animals. Saldaña's work is noted for its bold, geometric figures and vibrant colors, often evoking the influence of Mexican tapestries. His paintings are considered to be naïve and folk art, characterized by their simple, direct, and highly personal style. Saldaña's prolific output—creating a new painting nearly every three days—resulted in an impressive collection of artworks that continue to be celebrated today. Saldaña’s endearing style continues to captivate art enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into a rich, nostalgic world filled with vibrant colors and heartfelt simplicity. ©David Cook Galleries...