Featured Help finding artist

The name on the back of this painting is clear enough: Maria(n) Blakely Honeyman Richards, but I can't seem to find anything else by her online. She must have painted other things!

I'm hoping one of you better searchers than me might be able to help me find her.

Thank you in advance.

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The full inscription on the back:

"Maria(n) Blakely Honeyman Richards

painter of Taos New Mexico

Moved to Portland Or in 1950's

Close friend of Natives of Taos--

loved Nature

was going blind in 1950's"

Oil on board, 18" x 14"

Found at an estate sale in Portland Oregon (2 blocks from my house!)

 

Marion
https://www.montereyherald.com/obituaries/r-blakeley-honeyman-carmel-ca/

 

Really nice piece Pott- maddening that she just didn't pop-up.Too many last names and poss permutations of said name.I took up Roaring's bread crumbs and got nothing but a cold case.
PS-Is there a signature on the front (?). IMHO-it's by someone who knew what they were doing.

 

Thanks @Roaring20s. Your help is always appreciated.

That's weird: the names are so similar it's hard to believe coincidence. It def looks like 'Marion'.

But in that obit there's no mention of New Mexico or being a painter, and the 1925 date on the back of the painting could not possibly fit that life....

Hmm.

 

Thanks, and, agree!

The sale was just down the street from me. I walked to it. The painting is dirty and the house was dark, so I guess no one else saw it.

 

I've been searching various combinations and spelling, but nothing else.

It's very nicely painted.

Is there a second artwork?
The backs are different.

 

Same artwork--- it's a (rare) sunny day here, so I took the main pics outside in the sunlight. But the writing on back was washed out, so I took that pic inside.

 

I think its beautiful . Exceptionally well done . American Impressionist . Id have jumped on it too !

 

She can be found on familysearch.org.

Debora

 

Thanks johnny! Always value your opinion!

 

Thanks @Debora. As always!

I'm on it.

 

it has a certain charm...

 

The light and shadow are excellent.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98312506/marian_sheldon-richards

 

Beautiful, it is a style I see a lot in my neck of the woods. Love the light.

Terrible for a painter, even if in old age.

 

Thank you for the comments and especially finding the obit @Roaring20s. I happen to know exactly where that gravesite is!

It's weird to me that there don't seem to be other paintings by her online. Based on mine, she sure seemed to know what she was doing, and I'd have to believe she did it other times too.

 

Maybe they just havent been documented yet. Could have been left to a relative after she passed, who just mothballed them for years. Some more may come to light.

 

... or are unsigned works. That's a lot of names.

 

Many very fine female artists have been historically mothballed by the art establishment.Many were classified as mothers/housewives first,artists as second,third,fourth, if at all.
Her pieces may have been considered quaint but heartfelt birthday or Christmas presents-like a hand-crocheted afghan.

 

Nice accomplished painting. I am also surprised by the lack of information. With all the emphasis on the Taos painters, you would think she should at least be mentioned somewhere. The writing on the back is in someone else's hand and maybe she just didn't sell her works. Since it was found in OR, it must have come directly from her estate or from one of her relatives. No need for Mom to sign her paintings if they are not going out of the family.