I got this painting at a car boot sale a while ago. It's by Lou (or Loui/Louis) Shabner who was an artist in the same vein as Tretchikoff and J. H. Lynch, but not as well known. I love it. I think she's gorgeous. It sat in our living room for a while but everyone who saw it hated it so much I ended up putting it away in the garage. I was surprised by the violence of people's reactions although while I like some of this mass market masterpiece stuff, I'd rather poke my own eyes out than look at Margaret Keane and all that big eye business. There seems to be a very thin line between what's good and what's totally hideous.
Going back to Lou. I tried to find out about him and couldn't get very far. He was born in England (Enfield, I think) and did some pin-up art (more here), but beyond that seems to have vanished into the garages of history. There isn't much to add except to note that Black Gold, the King Biscuit Time lp (which is very good) has one of his paintings on the cover. Anyone know any more about him?
