South Coast - Paintings

Turn of 20th Century Spanish-American War Coast Guard Cutter with Cannons Original Oil Painting A fine example of maritime ship portraiture oil painting of a Coast Guard Cutter with cannons under sails during the Spanish American War by renowned Nautical British/American painter Captain William Lindsay Challoner (British/American 1852-1901), 1901. Auction values Luminous and striking painting with seaman unfurling sails heading into rough waters. Challoner served as captain of a naval vessel (Coast Guard Cutter) during the Spanish-American War. Here he is depicted on the deck of the ship while seamen scramble aloft on the rigging during a gale. The captain stands tall before the cannons at the ready to fend off intruders. His paintings are rare and highly prized by museums and Nautical collectors alike. Signed: Lower right corner "W. Challoner" Not framed Dated: "1910" Provenance: A local Monterey Bay area estate find. Condition: Professionally restored (conservation report available) Image size: 27.75"H x 47.38"W William Lindsay Challoner lived the peripatetic life of a mariner, spending much of his time at sea, and in ports such as New Orleans and San Francisco, California. He was born in Bedminster, England, and attended the York Naval Academy. In 1880, Challoner married Mary Cadogan. That same year, the couple immigrated to Argentina and then New Orleans. They had one son, William Lindsay Challoner, Jr. Lloyd’s Lists record Challoner as master aboard J.P. Macheca, a “Clipper Schooner” running bananas from Jamaica during the mid-1880s. The clipper also raced at the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans. As is often the case, Challoner’s middle name is misspelled as “Lindsey” in J.P. Macheca & Co. records. He is also said to have served as captain for vessels in the Morgan Line. Painting was at first an avocation for Challoner, but his draftsmanship and handling of paint suggest academic training. He may also have learned to make precise topographical drawings at the York Naval Academy. Many of his ship portraits are in the English tradition, notably followers of Samuel Walker, a leading English maritime artist in the 1850s. Like his Liverpool counterparts, Challoner used receding linear and atmospheric perspective to focus on the crisp portraits of specific ships. At their best, his canvases are highly finished, a style that imitates the Venetian tradition of topographical city views associated with Giovanni Antonio Canal, also known as Canaletto. However, Challoner’s restrained bravura paint handling also may bear witness to the influence of the French Impressionists. Challoner seems to have arrived in New Orleans about 1880. He advertised in the press and exhibited at the Creole Art Gallery and Grunewald’s Music Store in New Orleans. In 1887, Challoner moved to San Francisco, where he exhibited his maritime scenes at the Mechanic’s Institute and became a U.S. citizen. He may have been back in New Orleans after 1891, and served as captain of a naval vessel during the Spanish-American War. His art clients tended to be men involved in the shipping industry—ship owners and commission merchants, along with professional clubs and maritime benevolent societies. Challoner’s principal competition in New Orleans was August Norieri, a talented ship portraitist and painter of marines. While Norieri lived hand-to-mouth, Challoner drew a handsome salary working as a ship captain, presumably until shortly before his death at the age of 49. Securing the commission for painting the newly founded New Orleans Yacht Club suggests that Challoner was held in higher regard as an artist than Norieri. The two artists together met the market demand for ship portraiture and marine views in the port city, as had Edward Arnold and James Guy...

Classic mid-century seascape with sailboat by Carl Davidson (American, 20th Century), c.1955. Signed "C. Davidson" lower left. Presented in a wooden frame. Image size: 15"H x 30.25"...

Trompe l'Oeil Still Life and Landscape in Acrylic on Masonite Still life in the trompe l'oeil style by Richard M. Bacon (American, 20th Century). A still life with a bottle, fishbow...

Wonderful turn of century English School landscape with swans in park setting, by an unknown artist, c.1900. Signed with initials "L. G" lower left corner. Presented in rustic gilt t...

Steven H. Rehfeld (American, born 1954) "Flow" 2022 Mixed Media, Oil paint, Resin, Wax, Paper, Canvas, Stretcher Bars In the rich tapestry of Steven Rehfeld's "Flow," we witness an ...

Dynamic late 1960's mixed media abstract geometric collage, with mulberry paper cut into curved and angular shapes and adhered in layers, in a unique color palette of navy blue, dark...

Gorgeous mid century landscape of Cypress and Eucalyptus by Dan Runyan (American, 20th Century), circa 1960. Signed lower right. Presented in rustic painted wood frame. Image size 18...

Highly textured composition by an unknown artist (20th Century). Thick diagonal swatches of blue and white are layered over an off white background in a nearly parallel pattern. Sand...

Black and White Nude Woman in Acrylic, Gouache, and Charcoal on Paper Black and white painting of a woman by acclaimed bluegrass musician Katherine ...

A Pond Under an Aspen Grove - Western Plein Aire Landscape Acrylic on Board Expansive Western landscape by California Plein Aire artist Nick White (American, 1943-2009). Vibrant asp...

Kobi Raz (Israeli, born 1959) "Breathe" 2023 Oil Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom left of the painting. About the Artist: Kobi Raz, one of Isr...

Berkeley Hills Geometric Abstract in Oil on Canvas Geometric abstract by notable Modernist artist Jonathan Taylor (American, b. 1968). Rectangular forms of various colors - includin...

Modernist Mid Century Forest by Anany Alexeevich Verbitsky Beautiful mid century forest landscape depicting a clearing in the dense evergreen trees by Verbitsky Anani Alexeevich (Russian, 1895-1974) Signed in the lower right corner "А. Вербицкий" (translated). "A Verbitski". No frame. Image size: 27.5"H x 22.5"W. EXHIBITIONS: PORTRAIT OF VASILI SCHUKIN, The brilliance of Russian painters“ from the collection of Vladimir Peshich, The Russian House in Belgrade, May 12 – September 14, 2022. Listed: Russian Federation Artists Trade Union...

A large-scale contemporary figurative interior scene depicting several nude figures, including a man reclining in a bed, in a red room with a tree by Bay...

Beautiful American realist view of Pack River in Sandpoint, Idaho by Laura Lindberg (American, 1904-1976). Signed lower right corner "64 L Lindberg". 26 Pack River Laura Lindberg and...

Gorgeous seascape of Pacific Grove, California just north of Carmel by Marie Duncan (American, 20th Century), c. 1990. Signed lower right corner. Excelle...

This is a one-of-a-kind original cubist painting by San Diego artist, Alexander Arshansky. Its dimensions are 20"x24"x1.5". It is unframed. A Certificate of Authenticity will follow ...

This is a one of a kind original oil on canvas painting by San Diego artist, Julia San Roman. Its dimensions are 48" x 60"x1.5". It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will fo...

This is a one of a kind original oil painting by San Diego artist, Kathleen Kane-Murrell. Its dimensions are 24"x36"x1.5". A certificate of authenticity will follow delivery. The pa...

Delicate and layered Collotype on heavy bond paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). The background is a lithograph, and the ribbons have been painted by hand over the top. ...

California Suburbs - Plein Aire Landscape in Acrylic on Canvas Suburban landscape by California Plein Aire artist Nick White (American, 1943-2009). Two homes sit side by side on a w...

Portrait of a Woman in Purple - Parisian Art Deco Female Figurative Colorful and quirky art deco style figure painting of a seated Parisian woman dressed in light purple with decora...

"Houseboats in Moon Light", a rare early 20th century tonalist nocturnal harbor landscape scene at Greenbrae Boardwalk, San Rafael, California by Charles Rollo Peters (American, 1862-1928), 1912. Inscribed "Charles Rollo Peters Greenbrae, 1912" in the lower left corner. Presented in an antique giltwood frame. Image size: 19.5"H x 25.25"W Auction record high for this noted Nocturnal and Tonalist artist is $58,000. Rare works like this one range $30,000-$35,000. (Note: the photos showing the inscribed signature have been adjusted to show contrast and the artists inscribed signature in other photos enhanced by acrylic over inscription in the oil paint for visibility). Although not noted on verso, the title is taken from two others done the same year at Greenbrae Boardwalk near San Rafael, California. Charles Rollo Peters (American, 1862-1928), called "The Poet of Night", is best known for his Tonalist landscapes, especially nocturnes, with much of his subject matter being scenes around his home in Monterey, California. James McNeill Whistler, who promoted the Tonalist aesthetic in Europe, was a major influence on his painting, and "is reported to have said that Peters was the only artist other than himself who could paint nocturnes." (Gerdts) As Peters matured, his life became increasingly tumultuous, but the one stable part of his existence was his painting. He continued to pour his emotions into his work, creating lonely, mysterious nocturnes with a palette of deep blues and blacks. The scenes were invariably dotted with a speck of light emanating from the moon or a lighted window. His landscapes usually displayed a more prominent sky view and often included a winding path or road trailing off in the distance. Peters was born in San Francisco in 1862 to a wealthy family, and in San Francisco attended Bates Private School for Boys and the City College, where his talent for sketching and painting became obvious and was encouraged. After graduation from the College, he spent time as a commercial artist, but this pursuit did not hold his interest. In the mid 1880s, he began to study privately with Jules Tavernier and also attended classes with Virgil Williams and Christian Jorgensen at the California School of Design. During this period, he painted Bay-Area scenery. In 1886, he began a four-year period of study and travel in Europe, enrolling in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Academie Julian. His teachers were Jean-Leon Gerome and Fernand Cormon. In San Francisco, where he returned in 1890, he met and married Kathleen Mary Murphy, and the couple immediately departed for an extended trip to England and France. Peters painted the countryside and produced numerous landscape paintings, especially moonlit views of Brittany and Paris---his first nocturnes, encouraged by the aesthetic of Whistler, whose influence was pervasive in England and France. Upon his return to California about 1895, Peters held a large show in San Francisco and was able to sell many of his works. Soon after, he and his family relocated to Monterey, California where Peters became interested in California adobe ruins and missions as subjects for his paintings. Night paintings with rich blues highlighted by moon light became his signature work. Like most Tonalists, he painted in his studio. It was written of him that Monterey residents often saw him "wandering about in the semi-darkness, taking down notes here and there, studying the different phases of light, and creating a vivid mental picture of the scene he wished to paint." (Lowrey 158) In 1899, he made a tour with his collection of paintings through Chicago, Maine, Long Island, and New York City where he held a solo exhibition at the Union Club and received very favorable publicity. One reviewer of the Union Club work wrote: "The artist has studied the atmospheric effect of the night to good purpose, and in the representation of the silvery gray of moonlight he has arrived at singular proficiency." Peters returned to Monterey in 1900, and purchased thirty acres of land where he built an estate. He exhibited in the annual exhibitions of the San Francisco Art Association and the Bohemian Club. Along with William Keith, Xavier...

Red, Black, and Brown Figurative Abstract Expressionist in Acrylic on Paper A bold abstract painting by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). The left...

A vintage watercolor capturing a daily scene in the Spanish colonial town of Taxco, Mexico by Theodore Ernest Langguth (German-American, 1861-1952). Titled, dated and signed lower ma...

Mid Century Hawaiian Symbolism -- Stairway to Destiny Symbolic figurative abstract with climbing stairway in bright spring colors by Marguerite Loui...

Abstract Expressionist Seated Man Figurative Evocative seated figure highlighted with dynamic brushstrokes in electric blue by San Francisco area artist Daniel David Fuentes (Americ...

Poppy Fields Outside of Town - Landscape in Oil on Canvas This original painting is an idyllic landscape with wildflowers by M. Buckley (20th Century). The viewer looks out over a f...

Beautiful and vivid California mountain lake landscape. Circa 1970. Signed lower right "C. Sokolovsky." Displayed in rustic giltwood frame. Image, 20"H x 24"W.

Epic landscape of Sierra mountain peaks capped with whispers of snow, and a gorgeous mountain lake surrounded by soft meadow grasses and California poppies by California artist Ken Lucas...

Born in San Diego, California, on March 17, 1962, my journey with art has been deeply intertwined with my experiences both in life and within the bar and restaurant industry, where I...

Beyond life-sized, allegorical, Renaissance figural oil painting of Summer, featuring a nymph recessed in an alcove, swathed in drapery, wearing a foliate crown. In her right hand, a...

Compelling fauvist seascape with boldly colorful ocean waves and glowing sunset by Northern California artist John Ramm (American, 1879-1948), 1929. Impasto brush strokes add depth and interest to high voltage color palette. Signed lower right corner and dated on stretcher "29" . Condition: Good; minor edge losses professionally restored/in-painted. Signature slightly augmented to enhance readability. Image size: 22"H x 28"W. The son of German immigrants, John Henry Ramm was the son of German immigrants, and his father had been a Duke in his native land. Ramm moved to San Francisco in 1893 and worked as an apprentice to a photographer. He married Nettie Hoist in Sacramento and they lived in San Francisco. He was a close friend of painter Manuel Valencia...

Multicolored abstract by Aptos, California artist Sandra Marie Lobue-Erba (American, 1945-2007). Signed "S. LoBue" lower right. Presented in a metal frame. Image size, 24"H x 30"L. ...

Abstract Expressionist Original Watercolor on Paper style of de Kooning Abstract Watercolor titled "Lands End" by Harold Winer (American, 1913-2006). Bright and bold colors of a Fl...

Vivid oil painting of a seated figure holding a terracotta vase, surrounded by hanging pottery, by August Lenox (American, 1908-1986). Signed "Lenox" ...

Country home, an impressionist watercolor painting by Charles Parnelle (American, 20th Century). Presented in a wooden frame. Signed "Parnelle" lower right. Image: 8"H x 10"W. Framed size: 13"H x 15"W. Charles Parnelle was an artist and teacher from Charleston, South Carolina...

Large-scale abstract assemblage by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Lively assemblage with various items: Paintings, small mirrors, biological illustrations of bird...

"Spring In Les Grand Clememts" is an exceptional oil painted on location in Provence by Maria Bertrán, this Contemporary Impressionist landscape captures the beauty of Spring in the ...

Wonderful mid century portrait of woman named Charlotte by Irinia Belotelkin Roublon (Russian/American, 1913 - 2009), circa 1960. Signed lower right corner and on verso. Unframed. Image size: 14"H x 11"W. Irina Belotelkin Roublon, née Roudakoff, was born in Elisavetgrad, Ukraine to the Russian noblesse ancienne, descendant of Catherine the Great, she was a student at the Mariinsky Noble Ladies' Institute , Novocherkassk, Russia. She was orphaned at the time of the Russian Civil War after her father, General Paul Roudakoff, was fatally wounded in battle; 5 days later her mother died of typhus. Still unaware of her parents' death, and after witnessing her two sisters' deaths from starvation, the young Irina, then 8 years old, made her way over 1,000 kilometers, alone and through many privations to Moscow and the Estonian embassy there, with whom her Estonian uncle Volodya Blonsky had made arrangements. After a year in Moscow, and appeals to the Estonian consul, Irina was aided in a dramatic escape from the Soviet Union, to her aunt Anna Blonsky Lassburg (1882–1940) and her husband Doctor Genrick Lassburg in Tallinn, Estonia. Eventually, after in 1929, traveling through Ellis Island and admitted as a student, of voice studies, she joined her brother who had settled, in 1923, in the United States. Irina came to San Francisco during the Second World War, Among Irina's devotions were ballet and opera. She often entertained friends Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Sergei Leiferkus when they were in town. Natalia Makarova and Yuri Possokhov were often guests at Irina's Russian Christmas and Easter parties. From the early 1960s through the late 1980s, Irina studied and prolifically created still life and portrait paintings in oil and water color, excelling in flower compositions. She held studio and feature exhibitions; she competed and won prizes. Her work is in holdings throughout the San Francisco Bay area, Europe and Russia. In 1965 she undertook private study with two prominent Russian painters, including Serge Ivanoff; she executed a portrait of her two masters. She cherished her portrait as executed by Serge Ivanoff. Among her most accomplished pieces are those of iris and the large white Matilija...

Idyllic scene of a rabbit statue among flowerpots in a garden by unknown artist "Trulee" (20th Century). A rabbit statue faces away from the viewer, look...

Vintage Abstract Composition - San Francisco School in Oil on Canvas A bold San Francisco School abstract expressionist painting by artist Kristin Cohen (American, b. 1963). Bright ...

Black and White Textured Minimalist Composition in Acrylic on Canvas Minimalist composition by an unknown artist (20th Century). The background of this piece is textured using heavy...

Hurricane Point, Big Sur - Oil on Canvas Seascape oil painting depicting Hurricane Point, Big Sur, California by Kathleen Murray (American, b. 1958). Clear blue waters can be seen a...

Large-scale vertical abstract of brains in a neutral color palette of black & white by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection...

Gorgeous California landscape titled, "Sunrise on Tin Mountain, Death Valley" with Oak in foreground and mountains and Eucalyptus trees in background by Edward Langley...

Abstract Geometric Composition in White, Red and Blue Original Acrylic on Board Bold abstract composition by Robert William Hinds (American, b. 1926). This composition is brushed wh...

Mid Century Bay Area Abstract Expressionist Cats and Birds Composition in Acrylic on Paper How many cats and birds do you see? This striking painting by San Francisco's Bay Area abs...

Charming and colorful mid century watercolor of a small coastal neighborhood and orchard by Zella Mae (Wunderlich) Dickinson (1895 - 1982). Initialed and dated "ZD '64" lower right c...

Found object paper collage by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of his work. Numbered on verso. Presented "floating" in a new double ma...

Bright, colorful abstract expressionist piece by Monterey, California artist Anthony Rappa (American, 20th Century). Heavy, textured pa...

Psychedelic Abstract in Yellow, Blue, and Orange - Oil on Paper Bright and colorful abstract by Jennie T. Rafton (American, b. 1925). Pattens and shapes spill across the paper, full of complexity and detail. The majority of the shapes are elongated, creating a sense of movement across the piece. Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of the artist's work. Presented in a new white mat. Paper size: 20"H x 15"W Jennie T. Rafton (American, b. 1925) is a well-known California artist, primarily for her abstract compositions. She and her husband Michael were ardent supporters of the arts, especially the Oakland Symphony Guild. Exh: 1982 - Magnin Gallery (solo), Walnut Creek...

Crows On The Field - Abstract Expressionist Composition in Oil on Canvas Compelling abstract expressionist painting "Crows on the Field" by Kristin Cohen (American, b. 1963). This p...

Beautiful landscape titled "Easter morning Littleton, Colorado" by Denver, Colorado artist Betsy Duzan (American, 20th Century). Presented in a wooden frame. Titled "Easter morning L...

Serene silhouetted landscape scene of a pueblo community against a beautiful pale blue and lavender sky by Duane Albert Armstrong (b. 1938). Black...

"Drawbridge", an expressive contemporary abstracted landscape painting by David Fleming (American, 20th Century). The artist uses swirling, painterly brushstrokes in a palette of primary colors; the blue water and sky with yellow accents framed by red urban landmasses on each side, highlighted with touches of green detail work that blends from geometric cityscape into abstraction. Signed "Fleming" lower right. Unframed. Canvas size: 24"H x 36"W. Santa Cruz artist David Fleming graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in industrial design, and soon went to work for Ford in Detroit as a car stylist. After two years he returned to California to work for Lockheed as an off-road vehicle designer. Fleming spent a year in Stuttgart, Germany, working for Porsche, designing cars, and helicopters, and later returned to California to pursue full time painting. David Flemings paintings have been exhibited in many galleries and exhibitions, including: Los Robles Gallery in Palo Alto, the Union and the Luggage Store...

"Midday Shadows, Shark Cove" is an atmospheric oil painted on location in Hawaii by noted California artist Jacobus Baas. This plein air painting exhibits the subtle touch and beauti...

Evocative landscape of a glowing sunset over calm waters by California artist Max Flandorfer (American, b. 1962). Signed "Max Flandorfer" lower left. Signed, titled "In the Distance" and dated 2011 on verso. Presented in giltwood frame. Image, 16"H x 20"W. Primarily a plein air painter, Max is an avid outdoors man and is always seeking to capture that spiritual and the humble quality of nature. His work evokes a restful, contemplative stillness that he seeks both in life and his art. Growing up in Miami, Flandorfer spent most weekends and summers outdoors in the Everglades, or on the water soaking up the rich color and beauty of the tropical landscape. He moved with his family to Ocean Springs, Mississippi for a brief period before moving out to California where he has lived for over 20 years. Mostly self-taught, he was forever drawing and sketching as a kid, but the beautiful landscape and rich artistic heritage of the Monterey Peninsula's artist colony that was the deciding influence on his later works. An illustration instructor, Jane Miller of the Monterey Peninsula College encouraged him to study early California greats such as Granville Redmond...