Alexander James Paintings

"Couple on Bench at the Beach" is an original pastel drawing on paperboard by Francesco Spicuzza. The artist signed the piece in the lower left. This drawing depicts two figures sitting on a bench in front of a body of water. The artist used mostly pastel colors for this piece. 6 7/8" x 9 7/8" art 18 1/2" x 21 3/8" frame Francesco J. Spicuzza, born in Sicily on July 23, 1883, came to America at the age of 8. He supported himself as a fruit peddler until a newspaperman gave him $4 a week to go to school. He attended classes at the Milwaukee Art Students League, where he studied under Alexander Mueller. There he learned to paint in the then-fashionable "Munich School" technique, with detailed realism in heavy browns and grayed-out hues. Spicuzza completed eight grades in four years, and then in 1911, three businessmen advanced him enough money to allow him to study in New York under artist and teacher John Carlson. It was during this time that Spicuzza changed his style of painting, developing an impressionistic use of color, form and atmospheric renditions. After a period of grinding poverty, one of Spicuzza's pictures won a major New York competition. It was the first of 60 wins, both in the U.S. and Paris. He became a fashionable painter, and many of the leading collections have his work. Spicuzza's typical works were beach scenes, still life, landscapes and portraits done in pastels, oils, ink, charcoal and watercolors. Much of his work traced the history of Milwaukee in the early 1900s. He was probably best known for his scenes of women and children splashing in the waves...

Mt. Tamalpais and Stream in the Spring circa 1900 Stream above Lake Bon Tempe with Mt. Tamalpais in the background. A warm spring day in Northern California and the Bay Area. Excell...

Wonderful pastel of early Avalon, Santa Catalina Island by Guy Bedford (American, 1866-1916), 1898. One of two estate pieces purchased; one was signed and ...

"Hallman's" is a landscape with figures and farmhouse, by American Impressionist painter Albert Van Nesse Greene. The painting is a 13.5" x 19....

An Impressionist drawing painting of a cat and flowers on a deck by contemporary artist Erik Freyman. Oil and pastel on board, signed in pen Size: 14...

"The Golden Hour" is a colorful and vibrant fall foliage landscape in a warm autumn color palette by American Impressionist painter Albert Van N...

Beautiful pastel by Sid Willis of the Newbury Marshes. Signed lower left, 10" x 18" sight, 14.5" x 22.5" framed. Sidney F. Willis (Sid) (1930-2021) was born in Bennington, New Ha...

Elena Degenhardt's "Ocean III" is a poignant representation of the relentless and eternal spirit of the sea. Crafted in 2022, this exquisite original artwork measures 4 x 6 inches, rendered in soft pastel on paper, and comes elegantly framed in a custom 8 x 10-inch frame that complements the hues of the ocean's waters. Degenhardt's mastery in pastel techniques...

Artist Statement I've been working in pastel full-time for the last twenty-nine years and have been teaching workshops for the past fifteen. My artistic influences range from Paleol...

Lakeside Cabin - Pastel and Watercolor on Paper Watercolor and pastel painting depicting two wood cabins along the lakeside. Vibrant green trees surround t...

Elena Degenhardt's "Ocean IV" is a poignant representation of the relentless and eternal spirit of the sea. Crafted in 2022, this exquisite original artwork measures 4 x 6 inches, rendered in soft pastel on paper, and comes elegantly framed in a custom 8 x 10-inch frame that complements the hues of the ocean's waters. Degenhardt's mastery in pastel techniques...

Artist Statement: "We have a metal rocker in the backyard that has a certain aesthetic about it that I like to use amongst the flowers when they are in full bloom. It's an old chair ...