By Nature Boy
About 3 years ago I bought an amazing, huge painting at a local Santa Barbara thrift store. It depicts a young woman in a regal red cape wearing a tiara over her blond hair. I thought it would be a fun project to see if anyone can figure out WHO this woman is! Of course, she could be from a different city or state or country, but I thought I’d start locally. The painting has no signature or identifying markings. It’s a well-painted portrait in my unprofessional opinion, and the frame (which it was in when I bought it) is elaborate and was certainly expensive too. After so many years of looking at this painting I am finally inspired to discover the story behind it. Thanks!!
The original Breck girl. (Age indicator imbedded.)
No idea. But please note that her hair color is “blonde,” not “blond.”
Maybe a one-time queen of the Lemon Festival?
The Oxford dictionary says that while blonde is traditionally used to describe women’s hair and blond is used to describe men’s hair, EITHER is acceptable.
Have you taken it out of the frame? There might be some markings that you can’t see while it’s in the frame. Check the back etc.
Maybe, James Main Fine Art, on 27 E. De La Guerra, Suite A, between State & Anacapa. Going towards State street from Anacapa, it’s on the right side… been there forever.
Phone: (805) 962-8347
Not professional portraitist work. Though a decent and capable hobbyist painter. The artist would be certainly honored to know you hold the work in such esteem. A lovely painting all the same.
She is beautiful. Hope you find the story behind the painting.
As an artist, an oil painter and someone who has taken a LOT of portrait schooling in Los Angeles with most of my fellow students being animation professionals, I’d have to disagree with you about the “professional” level of this painting. Looks pretty good to me! I’d say it definitely could be a professional that painted it.