Mary Spain was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1934. She studied art at Syracuse University and moved to Ohio in the 1960s to teach art at Chagrin Falls High School. She was a frequent exhibitor in the May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art during the 1970s and early 1980s, where she won several Juror’s mentions for her paintings. Characteristic of her work is a flattened frontal gaze or a total profile view of her figures that recall Renaissance portraiture. Additionally, most of her characters are seen wearing odd or unusual hats. Spain believed that these hats identify the figures much like they do for professions such as chefs, clergy or law enforcement. The hats also act to contain the characters. While her figures often appear cute or innocent, Spain felt they were filled with mischief. Without their hats, she imagined that they might just explode. Spain’s interest in antique dolls and toys lends insight into the construction of her figures. Many figures have marionette-like qualities with blocky, out of proportion limbs, suggesting that perhaps they are not entirely in control of their actions. During her struggle with cancer, Spain used these figures to express her feelings of pain and sadness. While her deeply personal vocabulary and symbolism might be lost to the viewer, the narratives and embedded emotional substance remain.
Surrealist Flying Fantasy Figure, Cleveland Woman Artist
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934–1983) Flying Figure, 1970s Oil on canvas Signed lower right 17.5. x 21.5. inches 22 x 26 inches, framed Set in a realm of fantasy, Mary Spain’s work exhib...
Oil
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Sphinx and Moon (Self Portrait) 1980s Pastel, Cleveland School Artist
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934-1983) Sphinx and Moon (Self Portrait), c. 1980 Pastel on paper 9 x 16.5 inches 17. 5 x 25 inches, framed Set in a realm of fantasy, Mary Spain’s work ex...
Pastel
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Man with Feather in His Cap 20thc Figural Abstract Cleveland School Woman Artist
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934-1983) Man with Feather in His Cap Mixed media Signed lower right, signed and titled verso 11.5 x 7.75 inches 19.25 x 15.25 inches, framed Set in a realm o...
Oil
$4,160Sale Price|51% Off
Janet and Bill, Surrealist Painting of Woman and Cat w/ Party Hats
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934–1983) Janet and Bill, 1970s Oil on canvas Signed middle right, titled verso 26 x 30 inches 32.5 x 36.5 inches, framed Set in a realm of fantasy, Mary Spai...
Oil
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
The Happy Couple, Mid Century Surrealist Fantasy Landscape by Ohio artist
By Mary Spain
Located in Beachwood, OH
Mary Spain (American, 1934-1983) The Happy Couple Oil on canvas Signed middle right, signed and titled verso 22 x 26 inches Set in a realm of fantasy, Mary Spain’s work exhibits oddly distorted figures in a child-like manner with an underlying sense of absurdity. Through her toylike and primitive style, Spain created surrealistic dramas that puzzle and entrance the viewer. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mary Spain studied art at Syracuse University and moved to Ohio in the 1960s to teach art at Chagrin Falls...
Oil
Woman with Bouquet (Lady Liberty by Moonlight)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Woman with Bouquet (Lady Liberty by Moonlight) Oil on canvas, 1974 Signed and dated by the artist lower center (see photo) Titled in pencil on stretcher, verso Housed in the original...
Oil
Quicksand (Small) #18
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Quicksand (Small) #18 Colored pencil on raw sienna laid rag paper, 1980 Signed and dated by the artist on the image upper right (see photo) Titled and described by the artist verso C...
Color Pencil
Two Boys (one standing, the other seated and drawing)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Two Boys (one standing, the other seated and drawing) Graphite and colored pencils on wove paper, 1975 Signed and dated lower left center (see photo) Condition: Excellent Slight waviness visible only on reverse Image size: 11 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches Sheet size: 14 x 17 3/4 inches Provenance: Estate of the Artist By descent Mary Spain (Colie) (1934-1983) Mary Spain was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She taught art in Chagrin Falls...
Color Pencil
untitled (Woman and Cat)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned Graphite on paper
Graphite
Flower Studies
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned Graphite and colored pencils on laid paper
Color Pencil, Graphite
VI Rose Nose Cat
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
VI Rose Nose Cat Colored chalks on black paper, 1977 Signed and dated lower right (see photo) Titled lower left (see photo) Part of a series entit...
Chalk
$850
H 28.5 in W 20 in D 2 in
Pigging Out at the Diner, Surreal Anthropomorphic Pig Satirical Illustration
Located in Soquel, CA
A satirical, surreal depiction of a pig at a lunch counter by an unknown artist (20th Century). This scene, full of symbols and satire, portrays the anth...
Oil, Illustration Board
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Hopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this moving piece by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas captures a tender and intimate moment between species. The focus is a deeply expressive black dog, portrayed with a level of detail t...
Canvas, Oil
$90,000
H 45 in W 39.25 in
Vertumnus, Oil Painting by William Skilling, After Giuseppe Arcimboldo
By William Skilling
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: William Skilling, After Giuseppe Arcimboldo Title: Vertumnus Year: circa 1950 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 42 in. x 36 in. (106...
Canvas, Oil
$1,066Sale Price|60% Off
H 28 in W 40 in D 2 in
Vintage Oil Painting of Fantasy Cottage in the Woods with Flowers & Gardens
Located in Preston, GB
Vintage Oil Painting of Fantasy Cottage in the Woods with Flowers & Gardens Art measures 36 x 24 inches Frame measures 40 x 28 inches
Canvas, Oil
$1,625Sale Price|35% Off
H 20.5 in W 28 in D 1.25 in
Mid Century San Francisco Nocturnal Surrealist Oil Painting
By Russell Tripp
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Nocturnal Surrealist Oil Painting--San Francisco Unreal Dreams by Russell Tripp Dramatic and atmospheric San Francisco surrealist figurative painting by Russell R. Tripp...
Oil, Board
$3,600
H 33.5 in W 27 in
Surrealist Oil Painting Magical Realism Lionel Kalish Italian Home Fantasy Scene
Located in Surfside, FL
Lionel Kalish (American B.1931) "A Villa on the Sea", c. 1980 Oil on canvas Hand signed lower right L.Kalish Bark Frameworks Inc. N.Y. label verso 16" x 24" Lionel Kalish born...
Oil, Canvas
$3,000
H 19 in W 12 in
"Empire State Building" Leon Dolice, New York City Street Scene, Mid-Century
By Leon Dolice
Located in New York, NY
Leon Dolice Empire State Building Signed lower right Watercolor on paper 19 x 12 inches The romantic backdrop of Vienna at the turn of the century had a life-long influence upon th...
Paper, Pastel
$1,600
H 19.25 in W 23.25 in D 1.125 in
Surreal Landscape by Italian Artist Lanfranco Finocchioli
Located in New York, NY
Lanfranco Finocchioli (Italian, b. 20th century) Sognando Capri (Dreaming of Capri), 2003 Oil on canvas 13 3/4 x 19 5/8 in. Framed: 19 1/4 x 23 1/4 x 1 1/8 in. Signed and dated lower...
Canvas, Oil
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 36 in D 1 in
Protectress II Oil Painting on Canvas, Surrealist, dog, doberman, Unframed
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Protectress" by Rudolf Kosow is a compelling oil painting that uses surrealism to explore themes of guardianship and scale. In this striking work, a colossal Doberman sits attentive...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Owner (black Lab dog, sleeping lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Owner," Rudolf Kosow captures a tender moment of connection that is as powerful as it is subtle. The main subject of the painting is a large black Lab, soulful dog, its fur textu...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Soulmates (brown pet dog, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Soulmates," a poignant work by Rudolf Kosow, tenderly illustrates the profound bond shared between a dog and a human. In this intimate portrayal, the dog's gaze is imbued with an emotional depth that transcends the boundaries between species. Its eyes, rendered with striking clarity, convey a world of understanding and companionship. The lady, is nestled against the dog's face in a pose that suggests a mutual trust and shared existence. This closeness speaks to a relationship that goes beyond the conventional pet-owner dynamic, hinting at a deeper, spiritual connection—a true meeting of souls. In Kosow's vision, the concept of soulmates expands, encompassing the idea that our most understanding and compassionate partners may not be human at all. The painting's title, "Soulmates," encapsulates the notion that kindred spirits are connected not by words, but by the heart and soul, through gestures of love and moments of silent understanding. With "Soulmates," Kosow invites us to contemplate the essence of connection and the forms it can take. It's a celebration of the unspoken bond that animals and humans can share, an acknowledgment that the purest forms of love and understanding sometimes require no language. This piece serves as a beautiful reminder of the loyalty, comfort, and unconditional acceptance that define the most precious of life's relationships. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Canvas, Oil
$1,777Sale Price|28% Off
H 30 in W 40 in D 1.5 in
Held Inside a Shaft of Light (Window, Skyscape, Warm, Dreamy, ~29% OFF)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Annieo Klaas Held Inside a Shaft of Light 2023 Oil on Canvas 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 30.48 cm) Signed lower right COA provided *On stretcher frame - gallery wrapped - ready to hang ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
Pink Lady
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Pink Lady Oil on canvas, c. 1968 Signed upper right (see photo). Housed in the original frame made by the artist Titled on the reverse on the stretcher bar Inspired by DeKooning Prov...
Canvas, Oil
Profile of a Young Woman Looking Right
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Profile of a Young Woman Looking Right Ink and colored pencil on gray Canson Ingres paper Unsigned Sheet size: 112 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches Condition: Excellent Mary Spain (Colie) (1934-1983) Mary Spain was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She taught art in Chagrin Falls...
Ink
Young Woman Facing Forward
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned from the noted collection of Joseph M. Erdelac, Cleveland.
Ink, Color Pencil
Old Shoe
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Signed and titled in pencil by the artist; Watermark: Strathmore Charcoal
Graphite
Untitled (Sheep on Wheels with Shadow-Shepherdess)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Graphite and colored chalk on brown Ingres Fabriano paper
Chalk, Graphite
untitled (Winged Girl with Cardinal)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned graphite on paper
Graphite
untitled (Female Dancer)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Signed and dated by the artist in pencil lower right
Charcoal
Sold
H 12.5 in W 19 in
Sinking Moon being Kissed at the Window while Smelling a Geranium. (And the night is very Black.)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Signed and titled in pencil by the artist