Doubter in MD
Bronze Member
Ok. First the back story.
In the early to mid 1970's University of Maryland Medical Center was undergoing a major expansion. The perimeter of the work zone had plywood walls built around it to keep people out. The locals used the plywood as their "canvas" and painted things on the walls. The inappropriate ones were painted over by the construction workers but the others were allowed to stay.
Anyway, for almost a year, every Sunday on our weekly trip to my Grandmother's house we would pass by a particular painting that my Mother loved. She commented on it just about every time.
Then one Sunday my Mother was crushed when we passed by and there was nothing but a primered piece of plywood where her painting used to be. Every Sunday after that she would lament that her painting was gone.
Fast forward about two months... It was my parents anniversary. My Dad brought his present from his workshop in the basement. It was crudely wrapped in Sunday newspaper comic pages.
My Mother tore the paper away and she literally gasped and began to cry. My Father had arranged to get that piece of plywood from the construction foreman. My Mother cherished this painting until the day she passed. I was fortunate enough to inherit it.
Anyway, it appears the the artist's name is Valentine. I know it's a long shot but I've seen people on this site uncover amazing things. Any help would be appreciated but even if it turns out to be impossible to ID this particular artist I hope you enjoyed the story. And here is the painting.
In the early to mid 1970's University of Maryland Medical Center was undergoing a major expansion. The perimeter of the work zone had plywood walls built around it to keep people out. The locals used the plywood as their "canvas" and painted things on the walls. The inappropriate ones were painted over by the construction workers but the others were allowed to stay.
Anyway, for almost a year, every Sunday on our weekly trip to my Grandmother's house we would pass by a particular painting that my Mother loved. She commented on it just about every time.
Then one Sunday my Mother was crushed when we passed by and there was nothing but a primered piece of plywood where her painting used to be. Every Sunday after that she would lament that her painting was gone.
Fast forward about two months... It was my parents anniversary. My Dad brought his present from his workshop in the basement. It was crudely wrapped in Sunday newspaper comic pages.
My Mother tore the paper away and she literally gasped and began to cry. My Father had arranged to get that piece of plywood from the construction foreman. My Mother cherished this painting until the day she passed. I was fortunate enough to inherit it.
Anyway, it appears the the artist's name is Valentine. I know it's a long shot but I've seen people on this site uncover amazing things. Any help would be appreciated but even if it turns out to be impossible to ID this particular artist I hope you enjoyed the story. And here is the painting.
