Here is a piece I pulled out of storage...

[GReedDiamond]

...and took apart, cleaned, re-mounted/matted, refinished the frame, etc.

This is an ink drawing of two horses in battle, with abstract expressionist-like watercolor and/or gouache swaths of color around the figures, on Strathmore watercolor paper, by Millard F. Wells. The date is 1944 or 1948 or 49 (it's hard to tell, the last number in the date is a little unclear).

Mr. Wells did this when he was a resident of the Chicago area, where he studied at the Art Institute. He moved to the Florida Keys in 1969, where he was well known until his passing for his (fairly conventional, but nicely executed) watercolor paintings of landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, flowers, etc. He was also a longtime member of the American Watercolor Society.

His family maintains a web site with his work -- http://www.MillardWells.com.

[secondwind]

1. what a lovely piece! I love it!

[GReedDiamond]

2. Hi secondwind...

...I finally just saw your comment, glad you like it, it's especially nice up close and in person.

Interestingly, Millard Wells' style went from this to very commercial, nicely executed landscapes, seascapes, etc., all in watercolor, apparently. He found a niche, he stuck with it, and he had a pretty good, long life as a well respected artist, all the way to the end.

It's very fortunate for me that my parents knew Mr. Wells way back when, and this piece means a lot to me.

[Forkboy]

3. That is very cool!

:thumbsup: