Help with artist

[jtw1313]

Can anyone help find information on this artist? It had this little tag with it
Tag says first prize black and white. I don't think artist is anyone newer possibly 1930s through 1950s

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Dougie Webb]

I found an Elizabeth Groves who wrote a book called "Exploring Watercolor." There's a signature on the cover, but it seems to be a font rather than an actual signature. I can't find any pieces online that have her actual signature but maybe it's a start. The book appears to have been published in 2012, so that may not fit your timeline

 

[invent4hir]

Like Dougie Webb, I searched for Elizabeth Groves and saw the book and a few watercolors. However, zooming in on the signature didn't strike me as that close of a match to what I see in the first picture. To try a different approach I was going to research what appears on the label (3rd picture). Can you either post a picture of the entire label or post what it says.

 

[Dougie Webb]

I thought maybe it was just a local artist winning a County Fair competition. but looking at it closer, it's a pretty solid piece of work. Looks professional IMHO. Credentials: Drama degree at University of Georgia and about 3 of those "Pinot and Painting" things that I went on as a first date. So take my opinion for what it's worth

 

[jtw1313]

Here are a couple more

I don?t think these are amateur they are to well done

 

[Dougie Webb]

Wow. Those really are good - the one of the man is particularly well done.

 

[invent4hir]

Darn, foiled again. Thanks for posting a picture of the label. Was hoping for something more than "Portrait Study" for a title to research. I agree the sketches are very good. Given the condition of the label, it does look to have some age. If another TNetter doesn't chime in with more ideas, consider taking it to an art museum and/or gallery to see if they have any info on the artist (and possible a date range).

 

[duggap]

There is an artist by the name of T. Roves. But I couldn't find your picture among those listed for him..

 

[GoldieLocks]

I think it says T.H.(made into one letter) Roves.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The problem you are going to have is if Elizabeth got married her name now will be different and this tag seems to be when she was younger, maybe a starving artist at the time and she may now be quite famous, but under a married name. It is just like looking for girls names you knew in high school, they have changed and unless someone else knew them also and kept up correspondence to know the new name it can be a wild goose chase. Also to those who think the signature is T or TH it is actually an artistic rendering of an E and G combined. Kind of like how a brand mark is combined on a cattle brand.

 

[CreakyDigger]

They look like pieces that were in a competition, possibly an art school competition.

 

[invent4hir]

Back-of-the-boat makes some good points. This is a very long shot, but if you tell us where you got it (city, state, estate sale, etc.), I'll look her up on FamilySearch and/or Ancestry and post the more likely candidates. Depending on what I find will determine the next step...

 

[jtw1313]

I live near Cleveland Ohio found them in a house clean out
I took them out of the frames and if I remember right there was a higbees sticker on the paper to one of them so I’m guessing one was framed there

 

[invent4hir]

I live near Cleveland Ohio found them in a house clean out
I took them out of the frames and if I remember right there was a higbees sticker on the paper to one of them so I’m guessing one was framed there

Will do a search today & post the results here. Seeing the name Higbees sure brings back some distant memories. I spent my first 14 years in the Cleveland area, and that store along w/ Halle's and the May Company were some of my mom's favorite stores.

 

[invent4hir]

Please see attached for what I was able to find about an Elizabeth who resided in Cleveland, Ohio per the 1940 U.S. Census and her family. Unfortunately, I believe she is deceased. However, her brother Richard may still be alive in CA. Hopefully his contact info is still correct. If so inclined consider contacting him to know more. At age 91 he will be leary of any unknown caller and may not answer the phone. Be sure to leave a voicemail & mention that you have one of her pieces of art and would like to know more about Elizabeth. Good luck!

 

[jtw1313]

Thank you invent4hir that is some great research!!! I will think about calling not sure though

 

[invent4hir]

jtw1313, yes cold calling (especially during a pandemic) can be unsettling. Think of it this way, in the best case scenario you'll learn more about Elizabeth. In the worst case, you'll be ignored or told where to go. Sounds like getting a metal detecting permission from someone who has never heard of you before.

 

[pepperj]

jtw1313, yes cold calling (especially during a pandemic) can be unsettling. Think of it this way, in the best case scenario you'll learn more about Elizabeth. In the worst case, you'll be ignored or told where to go. Sounds like getting a metal detecting permission from someone who has never heard of you before.

I should have, could have, would of, if only I had enough nerve to call.

It's the opening line that will determine whether the other person will listen or not. At 91 it can be living history-or a very distant memory.
Either way a person doesn't know unless they try-seriously what is there to loose-sorry you have the wrong number?

 

[invent4hir]

jtw1313, did you call? If so, what response did you get?

 

[jtw1313]

No I haven’t made the attempt yet lol