American Impressionist Art

Melanie Parke’s latest selection of still lifes looks at quotidian interiors and imbues them with magic. All of the elements of the still life are present: a stem in glimmering glass...

Mid Century Garden Landscape, "In the Old Spanish Garden" by Florence Nuez A charming Spanish home is the focus of this lovely mid century landscape painting by Santa Cruz, Californ...

"Ridge Oak" Northern Mt Tamalpais California Watercolor 1991 Perfectly executed plein air watercolor looking out towards Mt. Tamalpais in spring by J. Gal...

Five-Panel Thumbnail Sketches of Desert and Canyon Landscapes in Ink on Paper Collection of landscape line drawings by listed Maine artist Laurence Sisson (American, 1928-2015). Fiv...

Beautiful mid century watercolor of a little store in Aptos, California by listed artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). Signed "Jon Blanchette" lower right. Presented in a new...

This artwork "Lanscape with House" c.1950 is an oil painting on canvas by noted California artist Clifford Holmes 1876-1963.Signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The canvas...

Beautiful colorful impressionist landscape of Bay Area rural hills of Woodside, California barn by artist C. Romero (American, 20th Century), c.1990. Signed lower right corner. Pres...

Charming portrait of a young girl with red hair wearing a typical mid-century frilly dress and high-cut bangs, by an unknown artist (American,...

Small landscape with large trees by M. J. (Charles) Karnoff (Russian-American). Several large trees occupy the left side of the frame, lining a simple fence. There are some rolling hills in the background, with smaller trees on the horizon. Initialed "M.J.K." in lower right corner. Presented in a new off-white mat...

"Looking out the Window", a Bay Area figurative painting with two nude figures gazing out of a window at the San Francisco Bay by Patricia Gren-Hayes (A...

Charming and bright watercolor of the coastal village of Rio Del Mar by Aptos, California artist Virginia J Hughins, (Virginia Brubaker DeWolf), (American, 1923-2004). Signed "Virgin...

Impressionist Style Landscape Painting, Swamp, Water, Oil on Panel, Jill Hackney "A native of New Orleans, Jill Hackney studied painting at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Louisi...

Nude figurative lithograph by Jim Smyth (American, b. 1938). Numbered, titled, signed and dated "5/12", "Study 2", "Smyth 74” along the bottom edge. Unframed. Jim Smyth has studied at the Academia de Belle Arti in Fiorenza, Italy, Ecole des BeauxArts in Geneva, New York Academy, and the Art Students League. He is also a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Fine Art. Although academically trained, Smyth practices and teaches a more impressionistic style of painting, focusing on the Alla Prima technique. He is particularly knowledgeable about drawing, perspective, color theory and the human figure, his passion. Smyth, with extensive academic knowledge, has a profound love of all human representations as illustrated by his humorous quick sketches from life. He also practices and teaches oil painting and pastels. When not in Provence, or Southeastern France, Smyth teaches intensely in art schools, art centers and several colleges in the Bay Area. He is a beloved instructor and his classes fill in quickly as he is very knowledgeable. On his return to the United States, he began studying with Mr. Alanson Appleton at the College of San Mateo, San Mateo, California. Smyth was a founding member of the Appletree Etchers, Inc., an etching print shop organized by Mr. Appleton and his students to develop and promote color intaglio. Smyth served as Master Printer at the studio for many years perfecting the techniques of intaglio and developing the color theories of Mr. Appleton as applied to the deeply etched plate. Smyth received his degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1972 and holds the California Community College Certificate and an Adult Education Certificate. Smyth was invited to teach "Anatomy for Artists" at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, California, as a result of his many years of dissection of the cadaver and developed the course of study of Perspective for the college. During this period, he began teaching Life Drawing at the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, Palo Alto, California. During the following thirty years Smyth has taught an average of twelve classes per week at the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, the Palo Alto Art Center and the Burlingame Recreation Department among others in all phases of drawing and painting. He has conducted many workshops for the California Academy of Painters in many aspects of drawing and painting. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor of Drawing at the College of San Mateo, San Mateo, California. He is an authority on the materials of painting and drawing, techniques of traditional drawing and painting, color theory, perspective and anatomy for artists. In his career in Life Drawing, Smyth has made over two hundred thousand drawings from the model. In addition to studies at Berkeley, Smyth has studied at the College of San Mateo, Foothill College, De Anza College, Mission College, and West Valley College, all in California. One of the pivotal points in his career was studying with Mr. Maynard Dixon Stewart at the University of San Jose, California. He spent a year at the New York Academy of Art where he was offered a full scholarship and at the Art Students League of New York. He concurrently attended classes at the National Academy of Design in New York. Among others, Smyth studied with M. Andrejivec, Ted Schmidt, Elliot Goldfinger, Gary Fagin, Ted Jacobs, Leo Neufeld, David Leffel, Jack Ferragasso, Jim Childs and Everett Raymond Kinstler and Kim English. Smyth has also studied with the noted painter and colorist, Ovanes Berberian...

Majestic vintage seascape with dynamic waves crashing along a rocky coast by H.T. Wert (American, 20th Century). Signed lower right. Signed "H.T. Wert...

This artwork titled "California Landscape" c.1990 is a watercolor on paper by noted California artist Arnold A. Grossman, 1923-2016. It is signed ...

Vibrant impressionist pastel still-life of red tomatoes by California artist Karen Colby (American, 20th Century). Signed "Karen Colby" and dated "1-95" lower right. Presented in a b...

Nathan Hoffman Brighton Beach, July 31, 1946 Signed, dated, and estate stamped on the reverse Oil on artist's board 10 x 13 1/2 inches Provenance: Esta...

After the Chores comes Cold Lemonade with Milking Stool Still Life Country Style Milk Stool and Hay Fork with the reward of cold lemonade after all the chores are done. P. Etheridge, a Pacific Grove art...

Geraldine Sanger Untitled, 1983 Oil on canvas 22 x 27 3/4 in. Framed: 24 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. Signed and dated lower right

Serene coastal landscape by Monterey California-area artist Patricia Gillfillan (American, 1924-2016). Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection o...

Early 20th Century Miniature Etching, Portrait of an Old Woman by Ralph Sweet Compelling early 20th century small-scale figurative etching of an old...

A gorgeous American Impressionist watercolor painting of a serene lagoon in a brown/orange monochrome palette by Ritchie Allen Benson (American, 1914-1991). Titled "Misty Lagoon." Presented in a wood frame. Signed "R. A. Benson" lower left. Framed size: 25"H x 31"W. Image: 23.5"W x 17.5"H. Ritchie A. Benson grew up in the Los Angeles area during the World War 11 era. By the late 1950s, he was studying watercolor painting and by the 1960s was exhibiting on a national level. He spent a great deal of time painting along the California coast and was most interested in producing works which pictured boats and harbor scenes. His watercolors were sold through the Challis Gallery in Laguna Beach and through art association exhibition sales. Although he continued to paint occasionally in Southern California, most of Bensen's later works were done in Mendocino, California, or farther north in Washington state where he spent a lot of time painting on the beaches...

This artwork "Landscape #IV' c.2000 is an original color monotype by American artist Thomas (Tom) Monaghan, b. 1961. It is hand signed and numbered 1/1 in pencil by the artist. The image (plate mark) size is 8 x 15.75 inches, the sheet size is 15 x 22 inches. it is in excellent condition, has never been framed. About the artist: Born in Chicago in 1961, Monaghan received his MFA from the University Northern Illinois. He moved west to Sonoma County in his mid-twenties and starting showing in galleries in San Francisco in the early 1990's, his move having a profound impact on his painting. The first impression of that sparkle on water upon the great lakes in Chicago continue his drive to seek out natural beauty in the landscape. Monaghan has had regional acclaim and International showing, include, International Art Fairs in San Francisco in 2011 and 2012. Selected exhibitions 1993 Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA., 1993 Heirloom Gallery, Chicago, I., 1994 Marinscapes., 1995 John Mallon, Editions Limited, Indianapolis, IN., 1996 Marinscapes., 1997 John Mallon, Editions Limited, Indianapolis, IN., 1998 Ira Wolk Gallery, St. Helena, CA., 2000 Erickson & Elins Gallery, San Francisco, CA ., 2001 Ira Wolk Gallery, St. Helena, CA, 2002 Ira Wolk Gallery, St. Helena, CA., Erickson Fine Art Gallery 2008. Selected collections The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, LaSalle National Bank, Chicago Mercantile Exchange...

Quaint pastoral landscape of a figure and dog walking down a country lane amongst tall autumn trees with beautiful fall foliage by Cal Donna Zell (American, 20th Century). Signed "Ca...

Beautiful close up portrait of a gray whale named "Pearl" feeding on kelp in the dark blue ocean by Aptos, California artist Lise Lang Crowley (American, 20th century). Great texture...

Augustus William Dunbier (American, 1888-1977) Signed: Augustus W. Dunbier (Lower, Left) " Nature Morte Chinoise " circa 1950s Oil on Canvas 20" x 16" Housed in a 2 1/2" Gold Frame Overall Size: 24 1/2" x 20 1/2" Biography: Born on a farm in Polk County, Nebraska, during the famous blizzard of 1888, Augustus Dunbier became Nebraska's most prominent and widely traveled artist in the early to mid 20th century. Working until the year before his death at age 89, he painted landscapes, still life, and portraits in a style that others, but not he, labelled Impressionist. At age 10, he saw his first professional art work at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in Omaha, and this exposure set the direction of his life. A year later, he returned with his parents to Germany from where his family had emigrated, and in 1907, he enrolled for seven years of study at the Dusseldorf Academy, known for its instruction in genre and history painting. However, Impressionist Adolf Munzer...

About the artist: As an American artist, Wright’s travels have taken him to paint and/or teach throughout the United States and visiting over a dozen National Park sites in addition...

A beautiful landscape oil painting depicting a stately tree with green mountains in the background by California artist Genevieve Rogers (American, 20th Century). Unsigned but acquir...

Tending the fields - Line Drawing Landscape in Ink on Paper Bold landscape line drawing by listed Maine artist Laurence Sisson (American, 1928-...

Oil painting of figures interacting with a large rock formation on a beach in California. A lone figure has climbed atop to sit perched up on the rock, and through the alcove, we see...

Hidden Barn is a contemporary oil landscape painting on canvas 24 x 24 painted by Texan artist Steve Parker that conveys his understanding of Texas landscapes and the use of native...

Summer Seas, Mid-Century Asilomar California Seascape by William Clothier Watts A beautiful and substantial mid-century seascape by William Clo...

Scenic countryside landscape of a barn and cows in front of Mount Washington by Mark Henthorn (American, 1943-2018), 1980. Signed and dated "Henthorn '80" lower left. Displayed in rustic wood frame. Image size, 12"H x 16"L. Mark Henthorn was an American painter with a love of nature and strong respect for light. His work depicts a mood of peace and serenity seen in the spaciousness of the Western landscape. He spent over thirty years as an award-winning architect and illustrator. His art has been displayed in galleries in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and in the Port Townsend...

Lido (Venice) Etching on chine collee, 1880 Part of the artist's "Venice Set" Signed upper right in plate :Otto H Bacher" (see photo) Signed with the estate stamp, Lugt 2002 recto lower right beneath image. (see photo) Created October 20, 1880 Reference: Andrew Venice No. 29 Provenance: Estate of the Artist Otto H. Bacher (1856-1909) Otto Henry Bacher was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a family of German descent. He first studied art at the age of sixteen with local genre trompe l'oeil still-life artist, DeScott Evans. Although he studied with Evans for less than one year, Bacher's early work, comprised mainly of still lifes, betrays Evans's influence. After a short period in Philadelphia, where he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Bacher returned to Cleveland and met Willis Seaver Adams, an artist from Springfield, Massachusetts, who had just recently arrived upon the Cleveland art scene. Soon the two artists were rooming together. Adams was instrumental in the founding of the Cleveland Art Club, as well as the establishment of the Cleveland Academy of the Fine Arts, to the board of which Adams had Bacher appointed. Also during this time, Bacher began to learn the process of etching from local etcher and landscape painter Sion Longley Wenban. In 1878, Bacher and Adams left for Europe. After stopping briefly in Scotland, Bacher went on to Munich, where he enrolled at the Royal Academy. He quickly tired of the rigors of the academy, and soon he was studying with Cincinnati artist Frank Duveneck, the prime American exponent of the Munich School. In 1879, Bacher made a trip to Florence with Duveneck as one of the celebrated "Duveneck Boys." Early the following year, the group proceeded to Venice, where Bacher and several other artists established studios in the Casa Jankovitz. By this time an avid printmaker, Bacher had his etching press sent from Muni ch, and it was in his Venice studio that he taught Duveneck the rudiments of etching. Soon Bacher, Duveneck, and other members of the Duveneck circle were experimenting in printmaking. Among the group's contributions were some of the first American examples of monotypes, which they called "Bachertypes" because they were printed using Bacher's press. It was also in Venice that Bacher met the venerable American expatriate artist, James McNeill Whistler. On learning of Bacher's press and his collection of etchings by Rembrandt, Whistler made himself a regular visitor to Bacher's studio, and he eventually took his own room in the Casa Jankovitz. Bacher spent much of the rest of 1880 with Whistler, the two artists sharing etching techniques. From Whistler, Bacher learned tone and line graduation; from Bacher, Whistler learned his etching techniques, including better ways of using the acid bath which produced less tedious and more efficient work. Bacher visited Whistler occasionally in the years that followed, and in 1908 he published With Whistler in Venice, his famous recollections of his time with the great artist. Bacher spent the next two years traveling extensively throughout Italy, with Venice as the center of his operations, and he produced a number of important etchings of Italian subjects. Bacher sent several of these works to America in 1881 to be included in the Society of American artists exhibition that year, and had a similar group of works shown at the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers' first exhibition at the Hanover Gallery in London. Following the exhibition, Bacher, along with several other of the American contributors, was elected a Fellow of the Society. Bacher collected twelve of his etchings of Venetian subjects and sold them in bound volumes through his New York dealer, Frederick Keppel. Bacher returned to Cleveland in January 1883 as a fully cosmopolitan artist. He set up a lavish studio furnished with exotic items and objets-d'art he had collected on his travels, and began to hold art classes as a means to supplement his income. He soon joined with Joseph De Camp in forming a summer sketch class in Richfield, Ohio. Bacher and De Camp also planned the Cleveland Room for a major loan exhibition in Detroit that year. During this period, Bacher increasingly painted in oil, and he began to produce sun-dappled canvases in an impressionistic mode. Unable to sell any paintings from this early period, however, Bacher left Cleveland for Paris in 1885, where he planned to undertake further studies. Stopping first in London to visit Whistler, Bacher stayed only briefly in Paris before heading to Venice, where he spent the remainder of the year. In January 1886, Bacher returned to Paris and enrolled at the Académie Julian, and also entered the atelier of Emile-Auguste Carolus-Duran. The life of the student seems never to have suited Bacher, as he stayed in Paris only through June, before departing again for Venice. For the next six months he, Robert Blum, and Charles Ulrich...

This artwork titled "Untitled #1" c.1980 is a painted wood bas-relief by noted California artist Arnold A. Grossman, 1923-2016. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. ...

About the artist: As an American artist, Wright’s travels have taken him to paint and/or teach throughout the United States and visiting over a dozen National Park sites in addition...

Mt. Lassen Lake - Plein Aire Landscape in Acrylic on Canvas Vibrant mountain landscape by California Plein Aire artist Nick White (American, 1943-2009). The viewer stands at the edg...

Mountain Lake - Plein Aire Landscape Acrylic on Board Lush mountain landscape by California Plein Aire artist Nick White (American, 1943-2009). The viewer looks out over a mountain ...

"Gone are the Miners, Mokelumne Hill, California" by Laura Mahan (American, b-1942). Presented in a wooden frame. Signed and dated lower right. Artists logo and titled "Gone are the ...

This artwork titled "Keukenhof" 2000 is an original color wood block print by noted California artist Arnold A. Grossman, 1923-2016. It is signed, dated, titled and numbered 1/25 in...

Wonderful two-sided mid century pulp art figurative painting of a woman at party in black evening gown and formal gloves, and on verso couple dancing by unkno...

Midcentury Pacific Trail Landscape Beautiful mid century landscape of a path leading through the woods by California artist Florence Belle Boosey (American, 1906-1999), c.1960. Pai...

Dale O Roberts' "Oxidized Boxcar" is an original, hand made encaustic painting that depicts a rusting boxcar in an industrial setting. About the artist: Born 1959 in Waterville NY, ...

Mid Century landscape of a Yosemite's beautiful Tuolomne Meadows stream by Elsie Leona Staben (Trowbridge) (American, 1898-1963).Presented in a wood frame. Signed "Elsie L. Staben" a...

This artwork titled "Fish" is an original color lithograph on Laid paper by California artist Robert Holdeman, 1912-1994. It is hand signed and dated ...

A beautiful watercolor painting of a small house surrounded by green mountains and palm trees by Les Anderson (American, 1928-2009) on Strathmore laid paper, from a collection of his...

Beautiful large-scale figurative landscape watercolor of a vibrant village scene with several people and a cow amongst interesting architecture by William Howard Knowles (American, 1...

Snow-Capped Mountain Lake - Line Drawing Landscape in Ink on Paper Bold landscape line drawing by listed Maine artist Laurence Sisson (American, 1928-2015). A snow-capped mountain stands above a lake with a tree in the foreground. This drawing was likely a preparatory sketch for a larger painting. This piece is unsigned, but was acquired from David Sisson, the artist's son. Letter of authentication included. Presented in a new black mat with foam-core backing. Mat size: 8"H x 10"W Image size: 3"H x 6.63"W Laurence Sisson, was a student of Herbert Barnett (1910-1972), he was one of America's preeminent realist painters today. His work may be found in the permanent collections of museums nationwide including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Portland Museum of Art, Maine. Laurence Sisson painted landscapes for sixty years. He was known for his paintings of the Maine coast and landscapes of the southwest. His style ranges from plein air watercolors to large oil landscapes...

Beautiful seascape by California artist Hartzell Harrison Ray (American, 1896-1991). Signed H. Ray lower right. Titled "Rolling Sea" on verso. Unframed. Image, 24"H x 36"W. Dr. Hartzell Harrison Ray was Born in Kansas on June 10, 1896. Ray was a long-time resident of San Mateo...

Beautiful mid-century Bay Area hills landscape watercolor of the distinctive peaks of Mount Diablo, with a small house, blue and green tree, and telephone...

Elegant mid century figure study in pastel on brown paper depicting a seated nude woman with a hat and rose, by by American artist Louis Nadalini (Italian, 1927-1995). Signed Nadalini upper right. Presented in a simple wood frame, with new mat and new foam core backing. Image size: 29"H x 19.5"W. Signed and dated "Nadalini 85" lower right. Unframed. ARTFORUM article: Louis Nadalini In the last couple of seasons, San Francisco has lost several of its galleries. Some others have just recently begun operating but often with an entirely new group of artists. Some members of those apparently secure gallery stables that went out of business have found their way into other stables, but a larger group is without a place to show. I decided to look into such a person’s studio in my endeavor to find out what is really happening in the Bay Area art world. I went to see Louis Nadalini. His latest painting continues with the lattice of slats protruding forward with two variations of the painting painted on the sides of the slats which are viewable when standing to either side. This was always a very abstract method and he had quite often painted pure abstractions which centered quietly into hypnotic devices of exceptional color richness, but which gave a kaleidoscopic change as you moved past it. Untitled #42 (the most recent painting) has subject matter and was done in a much more painterly way. The side variations were flat in color, and there were some elements seen only in the side views, a skeleton’s arm and a black hand, for example. Nadalini says that he may abandon the lattice altogether if it gets in his way, but so far it seems to work better than it did with the abstractions. He is enthusiastic about the work he is doing, felt very free about making changes, and was, at the same time still happy about work from several years ago and unwilling to think that older work and new work should not be exhibited together. He hasn’t been thinking about galleries for a while. Nadalini goes to sea periodically which gives him time for contemplation as well as for renewing his resources. by —Knute Stiles...

"I See a Robin," a figurative oil painting of a boy in a window by Veon Zentner (American, 20th Century). Presented in a rustic wooden frame. Signed "Zentner" lower left. Titled "I S...

"Yeow! Pt, Death Valley", a black and white landscape photograph that borders on abstraction by Jeff Nixon (American, 20th century). Signed "Jeff Nixon" lower right. Titled "Yeow! Pt, Death Valley" on verso. Unframed. Photograph size: 8"H x 9.5"W. Mat,12"H x 15"W. Jeff Nixon began photographing in the late 1960's, and by the end of the millennium had acquired an impressive list of credentials; many years as a year round resident of Yosemite Valley, noted instructor in the techniques of black and white photography which he gleaned from his years of working with Ansel Adams, and learning the Zone System from the master himself. Jeff has been an instructor for two California Junior Colleges, Modesto and Columbia, has led extension courses for UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, and taught and lectured in numerous seminars and classes. He has taught workshops and has had many showings nationwide, working with Morley Baer, Chris Rainier, Rod Dresser, and John Sexton...

Artist: Bart Perry (American, 1906-1992) Title: Lake Tahoe II Year: 1951 Medium: Watercolor Paper: sketch paper Image size: 13.25 x 15.75 inches paper size: 13.25 x 15.75 inches Signature: Signed lower right in pencil by the artist Condition: Excellent About the artist. Bart Perry studied at the California School of Fine Arts, MFA, 1928. Fine Arts, Mills College, Berkeley, CA. 1955. Selected Exhibitions: Lucien Labaudt Gallery with Wm. Mayo, 1946; California School of Fine Arts, Roy...

This artwork "Abstract Landscape s" c.1970 is a watercolor on paper by California artist Robert Holdeman, 1912-1994. It is hand signed at the lower rig...

Vibrant watercolor of bell peppers by Kathy Garvey (American, b. 1949). Initialed and dated "KG 2017" in the lower right corner. Notes by the artist along ...

This artwork "Nude" 1998 is a watercolor on paper by American artist Betty Rees Heredia A.K.A Betty Snyder Shapiro, 1919-2011. It is signed and date...

Beautiful watercolor of boats next to a dock with tall trees in the background by Mike Strouth (American, 20th Century). Signed "Strouth" lower ri...

Artist: Arnold Grossman (American, 1923-2016) Title: Oaxaca Playtime Year: c.1980 Medium: Watercolor Paper: Watercolor paper Image size: 12.25 x 16 ...

Vintage watercolor portrait by Doris Ann Warner (American, 1925-2010). Signed "Warner" in the lower right corner. Dated "1978". Unframed. Doris Ann Warner began as an Abstract Expre...