Featured Can someone make out signature on painting Helen Kelly?

I got this with some other paintings I found at a thrift store today.
I couldn't make out the name, but the manager offered it for $10 & I thought it was done well, so I bought it.
Help?
PS , I also got this old John Wayne litho/print for $10, too!

 

Usual question re Helen Kelly... Would/could you post a photograph of front and back including frame along with close-up photographs of any stickers, labels or handwritten notations?

Debora

 

I forgot, I apologize. It was still in car & I posted pics I took in back of thrift while trying to research it.
Photos of back below - no markings.
It measures 27 x 20 taped paper size inside back of frame / 22 x 17 visible art / 30.5 x 24 frame size

 

Lol

 

You sure it's an original and not a print? No clue as to artist but nicely matted and framed. You may have to open up the back to see if there's any information underneath.

Debora

 

It's very Depression era. I'd wonder about it being a print too.

 

If artist unknown I'll leave as is & hope someone buys it at my garage sale
Thank you!

 

It's very nicely done. A coal town, post-electrification. A funny place to find beauty.

Debora

 

I like that description Debora- can I use it?

 

Yes, of course.

Debora

 

Like this quite a lot. Regionalist painting, post-depression era, on into the mid-century period. Artist has a decent sense of perspective and could be advanced student work. I find the building on the left a bit distracting and think this could benefit from judicious cropping.

 

Doesn't bother me. Just a framing element and adds to sense of depth. Agree with rest. There is a "Helen Kelly" artist floating around internet during that period but just name mentions, no detail. Pity.

Debora

 

Yep-Def has a WPA Regionalist vibe, it's well done.Good pick JMag.

 

A possible Helen Kelly, with minimal information:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uusmEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA268&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

That's interesting. There is coal mining in the Ozarks.

Debora

 

Thank you - some verification!
Do you think Arkansas Fine Arts museum might have more info?

 

Never hurts to ask. Or the research librarian at the public library.

Debora

 

Oh! Here's a great resource to ask! The Arkansas Art Scene Blog.

https://www.arkansasartscene.com/

Debora