Signature help Pastoral Watercolor

Last year I purchased a number of pieces from a corporate collection, they were decommissioning a building and sold off the collection. Most of the pieces had gallery tags, however this one didn't. I got the impression that most of the pieces were purchased in the early 1980's. This is a large pastoral watercolor. I believe the first name of the artist is John and I think the last name starts with K. I am hoping that someone recognizes the signature.

 

John Kayne? Certainly could benefit from a less "corporate" frame and mat. The painting, which is charming, can't breathe. We're all the other paintings from the same gallery? In what part of the world were they?

Debora

 

Not sure what the first letter is.
?reape
?uape

 

Does this help at all......attempted to straighten up the letters a bit......

 

Yes
Now I can see the "K"

 

Good.....now off to a Lobster Roll sandwich for lunch with inlaws!!!!! YUMMMMMM!!

 

John Wayne? Egads try searching that!

 

Kreayse?

 

The company was in South West Michigan, the gallery was in Ann Arbor.

 

The ones that had gallery tags all came from the same gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, however there was a mixture of American and international artists.

 

And what is the name of the gallery? I ask because... It is possible that your artist is among those that the gallery represented. And, if the gallery is still in business, they may be able to identify your artist. Also, a close-up photograph of the gallery tag will have determine age of collection.

Debora

 

Alice Simsar Gallery

 

This is an example of one of the tags

 

John Mayer ?

 

The label says it's by a totally different artist..that's weird.

 

Label is from another painting.

Debora

 

Well, gallery respected per this quote from internet. Although no proof that your painting was from there, much of the rest of collection was bought there you say which indicates a corporate interest in quality.

"Look it, I live in one of the richest cities in the countries, Ann Arbor. Not one fine arts gallery. Alice Simsar, who closed down a few years ago back was the only fine art gallery and it was amazing that she stayed in business with all the money here and she showed top drawer New York artists. Named artists, great stuff and she made a living."

https://library.wayne.edu/resources/digital/audio/Zucca_Interview.pdf

Debora