Monday, May 23, 2011

Fused glass sculpture mystery!

unnamed, unknown, 18.5" x 15" x 1/2", fused glass


Mystery Solved! This is the work of Edward Martin, Springfield, Illinois fused glass artist. He has a web site.


This piece migrated from place to place at the local thrift shop before there was a 50% off art sale, and I picked it up. It is fused glass, about nine pounds worth. It came from the estate of a Bloomington, IL builder who also lived six months of the year in Highland Beach, FL and squeezed in time at a family cabin in Ludington, MI. In addition, he travelled to several countries. Since this piece is not marked in any way, it will be a challenge for me to identify the artist, so hopefully someone will recognize the work of this artist!? No idea of when it was made, either. Sigh. Not a commercial piece, I think, since the hanger and spacers verso are roughly cut Lucite blocks, glued on.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Mystery monotypes!






 
unnamed, unknown, 1 7/8" x 5 7/8", monotypes, 1991

I found these very nicely framed, and interesting monotypes at a local pawn shop. The signatures are maddeningly close to being readable, but I can't make them out. A lot of work went into making these, so it would be nice if the artist received recognition for his or her work. 









Midwest Fauvist?

unnamed, unknown, 10" x 12", oil

Not much hope here, probably . There is what may be a signature in the lower right corner. This painting was framed in the shop of a Bloomington, IL framer who was active from the early 1960s to the early 1990s. I paid $5 for this at a local thrift shop, but I really (Really) like it. I suspect that it is the work of a local artist, but just a guess. Interesting color choices.



Hottingh/Nottingh?

unnamed, Hottingh? Nottingh?, 18" x 24", oil

This was a find at a local thrift shop. I was at first torn between liking the frame and liking the painting. The painting eventually won. This is a painting that comes alive in the right light and at the right distance. It appears to have been painted mostly using a knife. I suspect that this painting may be European in origin. The signature appears to be something like "Mauriry Hottingh" or "Morriry Nottingh". I am certain that this is more than an amateur artist's work, but I can find no information on this artist, probably because I am not searching for the correct name. A little help here!