Karl Benjamin: Geometric Abstract Artist

(Courtesy of Santa Barbara Museum of Art/www.pacificstandardtime.org)

I often appraise paintings by the California modernists and Karl Benjamin is one of the most interesting of them. He is best known for his revolutionary approach to hard edge painting, working in a style called Geometric Abstraction. Along with Lorser Fietelson, Frederick Hammersley and John McLaughlin, Benjamin and his colleagues exhibited their works in the revolutionary exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Benjamin was born in Chicago and began his art studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. During WWII Benjamin but joined the US Navy but after the war was over, he moved to California where he continued his studies at Southern California’s University of Redlands.

Benjamin began his career as a teacher and moving to the artist colony of Claremont, California in 1952, Benjamin began painting. He taught Pomona College and became involved in the growing modern art movement happening in L.A. including designers, artists, and architects. One of Benjamin’s first important exhibits was entitled Purist Painting at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. He also exhibited at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, Columbus Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, and Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Benjamin was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Visual Arts. His paintings are held in the public collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum of Modern Art, Israel; Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, CA; Seattle Art Museum, WA; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, NY among others.

Benjamin is acknowledged as a professional, listed artist and is considered to be an American artist with strong market comparables. Benjamin has produced a substantial body of work, which is commonly traded on the art market. According to our appraisal research, a growing demand exists for Benjamin’s paintings -- although the artist’s work has only recently been demanding high prices as auction and in gallery markets.

Gallery markets tend to demand the highest prices. Benjamin’s is considered an important artist for collectors of California modern art. Auction sales records range from $2,196-$42,700 for paintings, depending on the media, size, condition, subject, and quality. Gallery pricing tends to be much higher.

An Invaluable Painting: California Agave

This month's reader submitted a lovely watercolor simply signed ‘Debbie 1985’. A Carpinteria, California resident said she discovered this painting of an agave in an antique store in San Francisco in the late 1990s. After spotting the painting on a shelf in the back office, the gruff shopkeeper pulled the dusty watercolor off the shelf. Although the painting was not for sale, he told our reader to make him an offer. They decided on $80.

After consulting appraisal price databases and auction records I could not locate an artist with the last name “Debbie.” As a first name, there were hundreds of artists with the common first name -- but guesswork made it impossible to confirm the artist.

As an appraiser I often come upon paintings with no signatures, indecipherable signatures, or unknown signatures. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for appraisers to assess values without identifying the artist. This is because value are inextricably linked to a specific artist’s history of comparable sales, which includes both auction records and gallery sales. There must be a paper trail of sales to substantiate value.

This watercolor was likely done by an amateur artist with considerable skill. The artist’s use of color, technical ability, and composition is accomplished. As a work on paper it is important to keep it out of direct light and moisture -- but “Agave” is in very good condition with no abrasions, fading, holes, or mold.

While the subject of the painting would appeal to collectors -- without pricing data, this painting’s Fair Market Value would only fall in a “decorative value” range. A decorative value is the price appraisers give to a commercial artwork by an unlisted artist.

Many of my appraisal clients ask how to buy art that will increase in value over time. Purchasing artworks by a listed artist means that the artist’s work is and will likely continue to be sold on the gallery and/or auction market.

Still, the first rule of collecting art is to buy what you love. Trust your instinct and buy art with which you have an emotional, spiritual, or intellectual connection. This way, if it does not happen to have increase in value, at least you love it.

When I asked our reader about “Agave” she said it did not matter to her if the painting was worth only $10 or $1000—because after nearly 20 years it was still one of her favorite pieces of art. Now that is a treasure indeed!

Alissa Anderson Campbell is an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals based in Santa Barbara, CA. She specializes in appraising European and American art for insurance, resale value, estate, tax, and charitable donation. Campbell is a member of the Appraisers Association of America (USPAP-compliant). www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com

Samuel Thal: An American Realist

"Jerome's House, 1943" Etching (Courtesy: Smithsonian American Art Museum)

In doing auction price research for a recent art appraisal, I came upon an interesting painting by American artist Samuel Thal (1903 - 1964). His realist style and loose, expressionistic brushstrokes were reminiscent of Van Gogh's early work. I was entranced by the piece and wanted to know more about the artist.

Born in New York City in 1903, Samuel Thal was the son of Russian immigrants. He grew up on a farm in Hadlyme, Connecticut where he formed a love of the countryside. Upon returning to New York City, Thal initiated his art studies at the National Academy of Design, taking sculpture classes at the Beaux Arts Academy and studied painting, drawing, and printmaking at the Art Students League.

Sam Thal became an accomplished painter, illustrator, printmaker, sculptor, and art teacher. Thal spent most of of his life in Boston where he studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and spent many years producing architectural sculpture with George K. Loeser at Harvard University.

By the 1930s Thal was working as a full-time artist and became well-known for his drypoint etchings. While painting, sculpting, and etching, he also assisted in the establishment of the art education programs under the WPA Federal Art Project. Thal also taught life drawing classes at Garland Junior College in Boston, the Boston Architectural Club and the Boston Museum of Modern Art.

Thal’s drypoint etchings are held in collections including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Metropolitan Museum, Library of Congress, Carnegie Institute of Art, Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris), Penn State University, Boston Public Library and Harvard Medical School. In 1942, he was awarded the coveted Talcott Prize by the Society of American Etchers; he was also the recipient of several purchase prizes from the Library of Congress.

This painting, "Figure in a Landscape" is a signature piece for Thal, depicting a figure overlooking his farm. Like the American Regionalists and Ashcan painters of the 1930s and 1940s, Thal depicted images of everday life in America.  Thal painted cityscapes, landscapes, still-lifes, and figurative paintings.

After a bit of appraisal research, I discovered that a number of Thal’s paintings have sold at auction. Samuel Thal's auction records range from $600-$4,000 depending on subject, size, date, condition, and provenance. At galleries his prints, including etchings, were being sold for $300-$500.

John Sykes (1859-1934) California Impressionist

John Sykes “View of Castle Rock, Santa Barbara"

(Originally published in Coastal View Nov. 24, 2011)

When we asked readers to submit artworks for ArtFind, our art appraiser Alissa Campbell of Anderson Shea Art Appraisals, discovered an interesting painting by California Impressionist John Sykes. Our reader lucked out we he unearthed this oil painting, “View of Castle Rock, Santa Barbara” on eBay about five years ago. He paid $500 and wants to know -- how valuable is it now?

Values can change quickly which is why insurance companies require art appraisals to be done every 2-4 years on artworks valued over $5,000. The value of art depends on a number of factors including artist notoriety, condition, provenance, size, and quality. When valuing a painting, an art appraiser also has to consider the current popularity of an style -- and whether the artwork is being sold at a gallery or auction.

John Sykes (1859-1934) was born in England but at age 25 he immigrated to the Unites States. Sykes settled Santa Barbara, California where he would establish himself as an renowned painter and watercolorist. He is best known for his paintings of the California Missions, which were a favorite subject of the artist. Sykes was also known to paint coastal scenes, landscapes, and local architectural views.

Like other artists of the era, Henry Chapman Ford, Alexander Harmer and Mary Stevens Fish --- John Sykes would sketch outdoors and finish the painting in his studio. He was a self-taught artist but managed to establish recognition as an accomplished painter and draughtsman. Sykes’ work is held in the collections of Santa Barbara and San Obispo Historical Societies, as well as the Carmel Mission.

After a bit of appraisal research, I discovered that a number of Sykes’ works have sold at auction. A similar coastal scene entitled “Castle Rock, Santa Barbara” sold in 2007 for $4,313, with other paintings selling for up to $7,000. Sykes’ work is also sold at galleries, which indicates a demand for his work on the art market.

In discussing the condition of the painting with the collector, he said that “a couple of minor dings” were repaired on the painting. This minor damage would slightly decrease the value, if it were to be appraised for Insurance purposes. Also, if any issues of authenticity were to arise, the value would be affected. It is important to note that qualified art appraisers assess value - but are not authenticators.

This painting depicts a recognizable image of the Santa Barbara coastline and is fairly large at 24 x 13 ½ inches. If “View of Castle Rock” by “View of Castle Rock” painting was to be sold in at at a gallery would be estimated to have a Retail Value between $5,000-$7,500. A treasure indeed!

*Retail Value is defined as a reasonable amount in terms of US dollars that would be required to purchase a property of similar age, quality, origin, appearance, provenance and condition with a reasonable length of time in an appropriate and relevant market. Unlike retail replacement value (Insurance), retail values do not include any fees or additional costs such as taxes, framing, conservation, restoration and additional commissions. (Source: Appraisers Association of America)


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©2011 Alissa Anderson Campbell, Santa Barbara, California. All Rights Reserved. This is not an appraisal. Authenticity is not guaranteed. This article is for educational purposes only. None of the contents of this article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanic, photocopy, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Anderson Shea Art Appraisals, and the appraiser’s signature. )

ART FIND: Western painter J.W. Benson

For this month’s Art Find, a reader submitted a painting by Western painter J.W. Benson. This large painting (5 x 7 feet) was given to the reader’s grandparents by a family dentist from Albuquerque in the 1950's. According to the story, there were times when the dentist would accept paintings in exchange for dental work, which is likely how this painting came into their family.

As an art appraiser, I often see Western paintings of the desert. There is something about the desert that has long-inspired artists – and artists like the American painter Georgia O’Keeffe’s most important work came only after she abandoned New York City for New Mexico –never to return from the desert.

J.W. Benson is certainly one of those painters who found inspiration in painting the vast, arid, and mysterious desert. For an artist like Benson, the abundant beauty and color that existed in the desert served as his greatest muse.

Jacob William Benson (1895-1958) was born in Thurmond, Iowa. As a young man, Benson moved West and began painting cowboy scenes in an around Wyoming. A painter and a muralist, Benson was commissioned by local ranchers to paint scenes of their homes and ranch buildings. He also produced sketches for postcards. Benson also traveled throughout the West, painting scenes of New Mexico, Arizon, and Utah.

This painting of New Mexico’s San Esteban Del Rey Mission at the Acoma Pueblo outside of Albuquerque, likely came from these travels. The Mission completed during the 1600's, but the Pueblo itself was established during the 12th-century. Interestingly, our reader’s ancestors originally emigrated from Spain and settled in New Mexico.

With bold colors and loose, sweeping brushstrokes – Benson depicts the Mission dwarfed by the large, undulating desert cliffs in the foreground. Like the 19th-century Romantic painters Benson’s appears to be interested in the humbling power of nature over man. He depicts and earth-toned Mission contrasted by magnificent monumental desert bluffs and sky.

In my appraisal research, I found that few auction records and galleries could be located for Benson’s paintings. Some of his postcard images have sold for minimal values. Unfortunately, without strong market comparables it is difficult to establish an appraisal of value on artworks. While the technique and quality of Benson’s "San Esteban Del Rey Mission” is highly accomplished, the lack of auction records would make auction houses hesitant to place a high estimate on selling price. The Auction Replacement Value* of this painting would likely be estimated between $800-$1,000 based on it’s large size, quality, subject, and condition. If this type of painting were by an artist with stronger auction records and/or galleries, it would be expected to sell for much more.

* Auction Replacement Value is defined as “a reasonable amount in terms of US dollars which would be required to replace a property with another of similar age, quality, origin, appearance, provenance and condition within a reasonable length of time in an appropriate and relevant auction market.” (Appraisers Association of America)

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Alissa Anderson Campbell is an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals. She specializes in appraising European and American art for insurance, resale value, estate, tax, and charitable donation. Campbell is a member of the Appraisers Association of America (USPAP-compliant). Ph. 805.616.2781/www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com

ART FIND: Mid-Century California Painter

Herb Kornfeld "Boats" Oil on board

(Originally published in Coastal View News, September 29, 2011)

When we asked readers to submit artworks to ART FIND, we got a great entry from Carpinteria, California resident and Coastal View News publisher Michael VanStry. As an art appraiser, I have special interest in mid-century paintings done in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. When I saw Mr. VanStry’s painting by California artist Herb Kornfeld, it was a perfect example of California modernism.

Mr. VanStry acquired the painting approximately five years ago at a silent auction held at the Casa Pacifica Wine & Food Festival in Oxnard, CA. He noticed it right away -- but the opening bid was more than he could afford. After the auction ended Mr. VanStry decided to ask the organizers how much they would take for the unsold painting. He purchased it for $300.

The artist Herbert Kornfeld was born in Great Falls, Montana in 1915. After moving to Los Angeles as a young man, he attended the Chouinard School of Art under the mentorship of artist Palmer Schoppe. Like many artists of the period, Kornfeld traveled to Europe where he was exposed to the modern art movement going on in France, England, and throughout Europe.

Upon returning to California, Kornfeld settled in the Los Angeles area. He often painted the California coast including seascapes, boats, and scenes of everyday life in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, and elsewhere. Kornfeld also painted in China, Mexico, and throughout the U.S.

Kornfeld's paintings can be found in private and public collections throughout the world. He has exhibited at the Long Beach Museum of Art, The Downey Museum of Art, The U. S. Navy Museum, Charles M. Russell Museum, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and The American Academy of Arts.

The painting, “Boats” by Herb Kornfeld is a quintessential representation of his coastal subjects. With bold use of color and loose, flat brushstrokes -- Kornfeld’s uniquely modernist aesthetic transforms simple boats into geometric, cubist forms. The painting appears in good condition with no signs of damage.

In my appraisal research, I found that a recent auction records for a comparable Kornfeld painting sold for $950. Multiple galleries sell his work, with large paintings selling for as much as $6,300. A growing demand exists for artworks by California modernists -- and the style, technique, and brushwork of Kornfeld’s “Boats” make it a desirable subject for collectors of California modernism.

Fair Market Value is defined as “the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to by or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.”

If this painting was to be sold in a gallery, it would likely be priced between $4,000-$5,000.

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Please submit your painting, drawing, or sculpture for next month’s The Art Appraiser. Email us a photo and brief description.

Alissa Anderson Campbell is an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals. She specializes in appraising European and American art for insurance, resale value, estate, tax, and charitable donation. Campbell is a member of the Appraisers Association of America (USPAP-compliant). Ph. 805.616.2781/www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com


©2011 Alissa Anderson Campbell, Santa Barbara, California. All Rights Reserved. This is not an appraisal. Authenticity is not guaranteed. This article is for educational purposes only. None of the contents of this article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanic, photocopy, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Anderson Shea Art Appraisals, and the appraiser’s signature. )

California Modernist Painter - Ed Reep

Ed Reep "Black Rose" (circa 1950-60)

This month's ART FIND submission is an exceptional painting by California artist Edward Reep. As an art appraiser, I have a particular interest in California Modernist artists. There was a school of artists working in Los Angeles during the mid-century who were made up of an innovative group of painters, printmakers, and sculptors.

Ed Reep, along with artists like Bentley Schaad, Henry Lee McFee, Edgar Ewing, Richard Haines, Francis De Erdely, was experimenting with line, color, and form to develop a unique modernist aesthetic. Unlike many artists on the East Coast who had fully abandon representational painting, the West Coast modernists were utilizing elements of cubism and abstraction to depict modern still-lifes, landscapes, and figures. This painting entitled "Black Rose" by Ed Reep is a signature example of mid-century modernism by a Southern California artist.

Edward Arnold Reep (1918 - ) was born in Brooklyn, NY. As a young boy, his family moved to Huntington Beach, California where Reep gained his arts training at the Art Center School in Los Angeles. As a pupil of California watercolorist Barse Miller, Reep began painting in a regionalist style favored during the period. Reep also studied with California artists like Stanley Reckless, Willard Nash, and Emil Bistram.

During the onset of WWII, Reep enlisted as an artist-correspondent in Africa and Italy. Honing his skills as an artist Reep, was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship after the War was over. He soon began teaching at a number of southern California schools such as the Art Center School of Los Angeles, Bistram School of Art, and Chouinard Art School. After moving to Greenville, NC to teach at East Carolina University, Reep returned to Bakersfield, CA.

Ed Reep is best known for his modernist aesthetic utilitizing elements of abstraction, and cubism. Reep was interested exploring color and form but as a means of representational painting -- before he began only painting abstract works.

The collector who submitted this artwork to The Art Appraiser, acquired it through an auction. In doing my appraisal research, I found that after purchasing the painting, the collector was contacted by the auction house through which he bought the painting. They said Ed Reep himself had contacted them in order to get in touch with the person who had bought his painting.

Reep, now age 94, said he had some memory of it and thought he painted it in the 1950s-1960s. The fact that it was framed and labeled by Reep indicates that he considered it a worthy work at the time (Reep noted he would not have framed had he not considered it worthy). Reep remembered painting a number of "experimental paintings" like this and thought a black rose would be something interesting to paint.

That painting may have some restoration done to it-- which would slightly decrease value. According to my appraisal research, there is a growing market for works by California artists like Reep. Galleries and auction houses sell his work, which indicates a demand. While it is a strong painting, Reep's noteriety as an artist remains limited to a small collector base.

As in every art appraisal, art appraisers base value of the painting is based on age, condition, rarity, artistic merit, technical workmanship, current trends and availability. A painting of this quality, subject, size, and provenance would be on the high end of Reep's market.

The highest price paid at auction for the artist's work was $2,600. Gallery pricing is higher. If Ed Reep's "Black Rose" were to be listed for sale in a gallery, it would likely be priced between $4,000-$5,000.

Please submit your painting, drawing, or sculpture for next month’s Art Find. Email Us a photo and brief description.

Alissa Anderson Campbell is an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals. She specializes in appraising American art and European art for insurance, resale value, estate, tax, and charitable donation. Campbell is a member of the Appraisers Association of America (USPAP-compliant). Ph. 805.616.2781/www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com