This lyrically expressive watercolor painting is direct from the estate of the late Howard Besnia. It is untitled, but is a view of heavily snow-laden pine boughs in the winter of 2009. In that winter, record snow and ice destroyed several trees around the artist's home and studio. This view is from one of his windows. Watercolor on paper, 13.25"x19.25" image size, matted and under glass. Overall framed size 22"x27.5" Signed on the front and dated 01.22.09. Painting is studio fresh and in excellent condition. Frame is like new, with few signs of wear. About the artist: Massachusetts artist and teacher Howard John Besnia (1921-1914) lived most of his adult life at the hilltop home/studio that he built in Sterling in the early 1950's, his "Skycrest". Among his many talents, he was a caricaturist, portrait painter, sculptor, photographer, graphic artist and bookmaker. His work was exhibited regionally, but he was more concerned with teaching others than seeking attention for his own art. One of his passions was printmaking, and his studio included a variety of historic lithography, letterpress and etching presses. He founded Scarab Press, publishing his own prints and art books and working with regional artists to produce editions on his presses. He designed and published five fine art books in 6 years, one of which was an award winner at the New England Book Show. He even sketched the stars from his own observatory. He taught art for over 60 years, beginning at Auburn High School and ending with decades of service at Fitchburg State College. Upon his retirement, he continued to teach classes from his home. Skycrest included several rooms devoted to art production, including a large classroom where Professor Besnia taught painting and lithography to hundreds of students. Howard was born on January 24, 1921, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was an Army veteran of World War II, and he earned a Bachelor's Degree from Clark University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Yale University. Item ID: HB3

Excellent. See description for eventual details.