Mystery solved, sort of.
I recently found this old, unframed watercolor painting among my mother’s papers. I’m pretty sure that it was one of the things from the estate of UH professor Carey D. Miller that my mom had packed up after Miller’s death back in the 1980s.
It is titled, “Diamond Lake,” and signed “d. badcock.” I don’t see a date.
Considering that it’s been mistreated, it’s in remarkably good shape.
The scene looks a lot like somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, so I started searching. I found references to a “Diamond Lake” in Oregon, another in Michigan, and I’m sure there are more. But I didn’t recognize the area pictured in the painting.
So I kept looking.
Then I found this photo of Diamond Lake in New Zealand.
The perspective is different, but it appears to be the scene in the painting.
I’ve found references to “D. Babcock,” as well as Douglas Badock. I don’t know if these are the same person, and I’ve only found fragments of info so far.
It’s been interesting. Now I have to decide whether the painting is worth saving.
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Oh, yes, it’s worth saving for two reasons: it was your mother’s and it’s beautiful.
It really doesn’t matter who did it, if you like keep it.
“Queenstown painter caught beauty of landscapes”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/obituaries/3093955/Queenstown-painter-caught-beauty-of-landscapes
Douglas Badcock examples:
http://www.artnet.com/artists/douglas-badcock/past-auction-results
Douglas Badcock at his easel (page 90):
http://www.internationalartcentre.co.nz/_pdf/auctions/2012/2012-03/90.pdf
His son John’s contact info:
http://www.badcock.co.nz/contact.html
John’s entry on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Badcock_(artist)
Thanks, Brie! Oh, Toby says “hello.”
Brie,
Thank you so much for posting all those links! Spent the last 1/2 huge learning about Douglas Badcock.
Ian,
Looks as if he painted mostly oils, so if you’ve got a watercolor, it might be unusual.
If it makes you feel good, keep it!
Shannon.
Great find! In Brie’s first link there’s mention of his 3 son’s (also artists) … perhaps contact them to share your story, and see if they can provide light on his watercolors (vs. oils). More of a story lurks….
I’m glad I could be of help! 🙂 Personally, I think it’s a beautiful and valuable piece. If you don’t keep it, it might be nice to donate it to UH, or perhaps to the New Zealand Dept of Conservation. (Or, a Toby-loving fan in Texas would love it!)
Diamond Lake and The Rocky Summit tracks, in the Wanaka region
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZq1WUnRmEo
Mt Aspiring Kiwi Ranger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXaFFWj9tAc
Dept of Conservation: Tititea / Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre
http://ow.ly/Lm9kr
Dept of Conservation: Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain walks
http://ow.ly/Lm9pb
This is a painting of my fathers , Douglas Badcock .
Are Doug Babcock and Doug Badcock the same person?
I have a pastel of the Oregon coast by Doug Babcock but I can’t find any info on him. Please let me know about Doug Babcock. Years, bio…
Douglas Babcock was a fine painter and teacher in New Zealand. One of his students was Peter Williams who I met at Keeneland Race track in Lexington, Ky. where he was painting the jockeys and horses in the paddock area during a fall meet. Both excellent artists!