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Large Oil on canvas riverscape/swamp signed "Johnston"

L
16 years ago
AI Appraisal
Description A painting of a swamp or river on a foggy/overcast day. Very textured. Signed Johnston. Interested in finding more work by this artist, but do not know the first name. If it is valuable; bonus, if not I'd still like to know more about the artist.
Category Paintings
Medium Oil on canvas
Distinguishing marks Johnston signature
Condition Excellent
Size and dimensions of this item 36"x24"
Date Period Before 1975
History Bought at an art sale in Calgary around 1975
Price Paid (If known) $50
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Submitted by 250chief

It's a very interesting painting. I believe it was sold through a chain store (Sears), for about $60-$70 back then. My parents have a similar one. As I recall (and I was pretty young back then) they were bought from an art school by Sears and resold. You got many similar designs as they went through 'how to paint' the scenes with the class. I believe they were then sold to Sears to help cover expenses of the materials used. In good shape, it's probably worth about $100 +/- now, without artist information. a quick search of artists by the name Johnson showed 278 different hits. It would take a while to go through that number to try and match the style. When I am next visiting home, I'll see how the parent's one is marked. It may give a clue as to the studio and then you could cross match it with the name to reduce the load! Garry

Excellent thanks a lot! And I've seen very similar ones in friends' houses. Usually with a different season. When I search the name, all I get are results for Johnson, not Johnston. Thanks for your help though and just a note, the style has a LOT of texture. This painter uses a lot of paint.

Submitted by Pounou

We have a "Johnston" oil painting on canvas with no first name and would also like to find out more about the artist. It depicts a forest scene with a mountain in the background with a log cabin and a river in the foreground.  Please advise if you find out anything more about this artist and we will reciprocate.  Size 24"  x 36".

 

Submitted by Lovejoy

It's unlikely you'll find any information regarding the artist, paintings like this were often the work of unknown artists contracted to paint multiples of the same scene for Art wholesalers, the names are often made up.

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