Ralph Ledesma Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Serene 1920's watercolor landscape of calm water snaking through a lush marshy wetland, dotted with small birds, wildflowers and swaying grass, by an unknown artist (American, 20th C...

Figurative landscape of four infantrymen in formation with their long arquebus guns by Adolphe Ancker (Dutch, 19th Century), after Marchetti. Signed and dated "Adolph Ancker 1888" lo...

1930's watercolor figurative landscape depicting the First Church of Christ Congregational in Milford, Connecticut by J. Nolan of Providence, Rhode Island (American, 20th Century). S...

"Steps", a highly realistic late 20th century watercolor landscape of a staircase in front of a wooden barn by Verne R. Horton (American, 1941-2020), 1986. Horton's background as a technical artist and draftsman is apparent in the fine details of this piece, such as the crisply rendered planks of wood that comprise the barn, the individual pieces of metal that form the railing, and each block of cement that make up the staircase. Horton's meticulous rendering of shadows enhances the sense of realism. Signed and dated "Verne R. Horton '86" lower right. Signed and titled "Steps" on verso. Displayed in a new off-white mat and rustic wood frame with plexiglass. Image size: 13.75"H x 9.75"W. Born February 1, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA, Verne R. Horton went to Los Angeles State College where he earned a degree in pre-architecture. As a young man Verne joined the US Navy, in 1960 and served as a draftsman until 1965. After leaving the Navy, he ended up as a technical artist for North American Aviation. His charge: illustrating publicity pictures for the Apollo space program. After working on the Apollo program for three and a half years, he was lured into the corporate world as a regional manager for New York Life Insurance. Horton said he did virtually no artwork in the 17 years he worked for the insurance company. He ended up earning another degree in insurance and finance from American College in Bryn Mawr, Penn., in 1978. He moved within the company 14 times in 17 years, living in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Arizona and San Francisco. "Then I had an awareness that I had always wanted to be an artist," he said. "It seemed that if I were going to do it, I needed to just do it." He quit his job and became a fine artist. Horton's paintings and sculptures are truly those of a professional. He specializes in 1800s to 1930s Western Americana, but his love is steam era railroad art. "You must have historical accuracy. The worst thing is to have somebody come by and say, 'That's not right," Horton said. "You can't get involved in the history of the railroad without getting to know a community." It was his insistence on historical accuracy and love of railroads that brought him to Carson City...

Man Working Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA Modern Jo Cain (1904 - 2003) Telephone Pole Worker 38 1/4 x 18 1/2 inches Oil on pap...

"Cubist Factory" American Scene WPA Era Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial Herbert Heyel (American 1907-2000) "Cubist Factory" 14 x 20 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1933 S...

Colors of tropical waters create a light and breezy mood in this figurative landscape watercolor by David Stephens (American, 20th century). Signed lower left, "D. Stephens." Present...

Maritime watercolor, an accurately detailed depiction of steamship "Nellie" en route on the water, complete with tiny silhouetted passenger figur...

Wonderfully detailed early 20th century figurative landscape watercolor of sailboats docked on a bustling shore, surrounded by other boats, birds and men at work with carts, by Hudson Valley New York artist Frederick Leo Hunter (American, 1858-1943). The tall boats tower over two small figures, who wade into the water beside the vessels. In the background, a lighthouse and the hint of a skyline can be seen on the distant shore. Signed "F. Leo Hunter" lower right. Displayed in a gold mat and slender giltwood frame carved with a beautiful floral motif. Image size: 7.5"H x 12"W. Known for street scene paintings and etchings of New York...

Beautiful watercolor of eucalyptus along New Brighton beach by Les (Leslie Luverne) Anderson (American, 1928-2009). From the estate of Les Anderson in Mon...

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...

"Streetscape" American Scene WPA Era Social Realism Mid 20th Century Industrial Herbert Heyel (American 1907-2000) "Streetscape" 14 x 20 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1939 Signed l...