Posted 13 years ago
JohnR.
(2 items)
Found this original oil painting titled 'Moonlit Sea" at a local resale shop. It looked good and was signed "McGann". On the back was taped a old newspaper clipping from the 70's that talked about the artist, a Mr. Val McGann. I bought it for $1.99 and took it home to do some research and this is what I found.
"Val McGann, a native of Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland, has a distinguished background as an artist. He studied at the National College of Art, Dublin and the Byam Shaw College of Art, London. He has exhibited in Dublin, London, Boston, New York and Washington D. C.
His one-man exhibitions in the House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D. C. and Butler Galleries were major successes. He was a member of the Founding Committee of the American Ireland Fund. He is listed in the Who's Who of the Irish in America.
In 1982, he was nominated for the International Award for Individual Achievement from United Dominions Trust Bank, Dublin. In April, 1987, he was honored when his painting, Joyce's Tower, Sandycove, County Dublin, Ireland, was hung in the State House in Boston. The painting was purchased by the Eire Society of Boston to commemorate its 50th Anniversary.
Val McGann's marine and still life paintings are owned by discerning collectors throughout the United States and abroad."
I contacted the Val McGann gallery in Maine about this painting and its possible value, but never received a response. I am sure it is more than what I paid for it. Conservative guess would be $80, but I really don't know, could be a lot more.
I left the $1.99 sticker on the back of it. :) The sticker just adds to the story of this piece of art and one of its travels.
a good find. It is certainly worth more.
I agree, your est. is about right compared to other sales. But I also have to say I think he is so underratred in the art world. Val has one heck of a background and his seascapes are wonderful. Hold on to it, sure it will only gain in price as the yrs go by as all Artist do. Nice one!! Dave
I also now own a beautiful Val McGann oil painting, which I purchased at a garage sale today. The scene includes a fishing hut, & some boats, it is beautifully muted (the lighting reminds me of a mildly foggy day) with some tiny sea birds in the air. As I just moved back to Ontario from beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia, this painting captured me before I captured it. I think there is something magical in this artists' painting, and I am so lucky to have come across one.