Posted 8 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
My friend Katie had this in her booth at the antique co-op. I was kind of on the fence about it at first. I thought the landscape was nice with a beautiful frame but it wasn't until I turned it over.....another painting. Two for the price of one ! This one I really loved...a cafe scene in beautiful vivid colors. Both are by the same artist Edmond O'Brien, not the actor as far as I know. The landscape is just signed E.J. O'Brien where as the cafe scene has his full name. Both are painted on what appears to be a Masonite type panel. Stylistically they couldn't be more different. I think the impressionist cafe scene is very polished and well balanced, a more mature work. It looks more like a watercolor than an oil painting. The landscape is pleasing enough but it seems a bit awkward in execution. I'm not fond of the rock wall and waterfall. It sticks out too much. So I pulled the few nails out and flipped it around...so much better ! Lots of O'Brien's in the art directories but no Edmund. Oh well, they're still interesting paintings. -Mike-
Well critiqued Mike. I totally agree, the landscape is a bit clumsy and passe.
The other scene however shows a lot of skill and is nicely balanced.
Thanks Karen...It has an almost illustrator's quality about it like it was created for a magazine cover. I have a couple mid-century Parisian street scenes by Antonio DeVity that would look great with this painting. I think they all have a late 50's to 60's vibe . :)
Great find Mike... I love the abstract side! I've always wondered why artists sometimes painted both sides!
Thanks Rick :)...He probably couldn't afford a new canvas or just decided he wasn't fond of the landscape either and didn't have the heart to paint over it.